I am a Hockey Player

Spotlight Player

Sebastien Nevalainen

Minnesota Wild Sled Hockey

He was a hockey player before he even tried it. Armed with a visceral desire to play and be part of the team, Sebastien embodies what we like to call “sportsmanship”. He brings honor, sincerity, and pushes forward into what could be possible.

Born in Haiti, now living in the great State of Hockey, Sebastien has endured a tremendous amount of change in his seventeen years. New culture, new home, new school, new friends…his journey has been filled with new-ness and diversity. Despite many challenges along the way, Sebastien has been triumphant through much adversity. When opportunities present, Sebastien rises to the occasion with heart and then pushes forward into what may be possible. He is active in Nordic skiing, track and field, attends wheelchair sports camps and in his quiet time, enjoys reading and writing scripts. Currently in his third season playing for Minnesota Wild Sled Hockey, Sebastien is thriving on the ice as part of the team. Like his favorite MN Wild players, Zach Parise and Jordan Greenway, Sebastien’s favorite part about hockey is, “being a playmaker and setting his teammates up to score.” Sebastien and his parents describe the sled hockey community as their “hockey family” where they’ve been not only welcomed, but also supported through both challenges and victories.

Sebastien, your strength and sincerity inspire, and will serve as a reminder to others when they feel overwhelmed by change, to never, ever give up and always push into what may be possible.