Noel Friedman said the start of the 2024-25 season “has been pretty crazy for me.”

With things simmering down a bit, the Denver native is focusing on rounding out his game between the pipes with the NCDC’s Pueblo Bulls.

“I originally was planning on being at Pueblo, but then I got drafted by a different NCDC team before I could sign with them,” Friedman said. “Then I ended up going a different path and chose the MJHL where I stayed there for a while but got let go. Through all of this, I stayed in touch with the goalie coach Marty Wakelyn here in Pueblo. After I got cut, I went to the Atlanta Nad Hatters in the USPHL Premier and had some good games there. Then Marty called me saying a spot in Pueblo opened up so I packed everything and got here and have been here ever since.

“For me, Pueblo was always a positive option in my head because it is super close to home, which has been very beneficial for my family and I. It has also been great seeing the league develop and the skill that comes from the league as well. Pueblo itself has been great and the atmosphere at games makes it extremely fun to be a part of. It’s been unbelievable being close to home and makes it super easy to see my family a lot more often than the past years.”

Looking back, Friedman said he is the first person in his family to play hockey, “so the love for the game was kind of found on my own.”

“I went to one Colorado Avalanche game when I was around seven years old and since then, I wanted to learn to ice skate and play hockey,” said Friedman. “I always thought it looked cool but never really knew much about it until I started playing. I originally started as a player playing Squirt C House and then second year of Squirts, I wanted to give goalie a try and I have stuck with it ever since. It has been such a great journey and cool experience that has taken over my life.”

For all of his youth hockey years, Friedman played for the DU Jr. Pioneers, from Squirts all the way to Bantams, and then went to Denver East High School and played there for his first two years of high school.

“Coach (John) Kopperud definitely helped me succeed in my two years playing high school,” Friedman said. “He gave me the chance to be the starter even as an underclassman and I made the most of that opportunity. Matt Zaba, my goalie coach, who I’ve worked with for years, has made a big difference in my game and has helped me get to the point I am at in my game today.”

Going forward, Friedman has attainable goals, on the ice and in the classroom.

“My short-term goals are to continue playing juniors and continue pushing myself to keep moving up the ladder to get to the next level,” said Friedman. “Some other goals I have are to play NCAA college hockey and pursue an education while playing hockey. After college, I haven’t thought too much about what I want to do, but I definitely want to stay in the hockey world, whether that is as an advisor or a goalie coach.”

Photo/Jackson Tuneberg/@jtunesmedia

— Matt Mackinder

(December 24, 2024)