kfyrtv
BISMARCK, N.D. – Hayden Ritter, a freshman forward for the University of Mary Marauders, is not your typical hockey player. While most athletes find solace on the ice, Ritter has a second passion that takes him to the skies.
Ritter, a Century High School graduate, returned to Bismarck this season to play for the Marauders. When he is not on the ice, he is pursuing his pilot's license, a goal he began working toward this summer.
"I like being in the air, it's really calming as well, but I think being on the ice is definitely my favorite," Ritter said.
Ritter's love for hockey started early; he has been skating since he was two years old and has spent countless hours on the ice. However, his fascination with aviation is deeply rooted. "Just like NHL players, their kids grow up around the game and most of them become pros," Ritter explained. "I grew up around planes."
This summer, Ritter took a significant step toward becoming a pilot. "Right away when I first started, I was very nervous," he admitted. That nervousness dissipated during his first solo flight. "It just kind of slows down," he said.
After accumulating about 20 hours in the air and nearly 40 hours of studying, Ritter's passion for flying has only intensified. "It's always been a passion of mine," he said.
Despite the apparent differences between hockey and flying, Ritter sees similarities. "Yeah, just being patient, right? Like, I have to spend hours studying, I have to spend hours practicing on and off the ice," he noted.
Ritter is still working toward completing his pilot's license, but for now, his focus is on his new team and getting back on the ice.
Originally reported by kfyrtv.