Paul Gravedoni II’s skates may be sharp, but his goals are sharper. Gravedoni’s hockey career began at the age of five, sparked by his mother’s decision to steer him away from football. Eleven years later, his hard work and dedication have shaped him into the athlete he is today.
Despite hockey not being a Grant Community High School-affiliated sport, Gravedoni proudly represents his school. He ensures that his passion and pride for his school shine through, even as he competes for a different team.
As a member of the McHenry Yellowjackets, Gravedoni continues to hone his skills both on and off the rink. On the ice, he focuses on improving his speed and agility, approaching every drill with pride and maintaining a healthy competitive spirit. Off the ice, he prioritizes his physical fitness to stay in peak shape. “Hockey fullswing is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and weekend games, you gotta keep in shape to keep up in a game,” he explains. Gravedoni knows being an athlete isn’t just physical health but is most importantly a mental game. This season, he works to improve his mental mindset because “once you get down, you don’t focus on the game, and that’s where mistakes happen.”
For Gravedoni, hockey is about more than competition—it’s about connection. Hockey brings Gravedoni enjoyment because of the people he has met. His peers are his greatest motivator, encouraging him to continue to strive for perfection whether he’s in a helmet or in his signature Notre Dame hat. A great memory of Gravedoni’s is this previous year when he and his team participated in the CCM World Invite. Although the competition was tough, Gravedoni learned and grew from those losses, realizing that both as an individual athlete and as a team, overcoming challenges requires learning and adapting to every obstacle thrown your way. “It isn’t just about you, it’s about the whole team. That’s what makes you and the team better.” As a team, Gravedoni hopes to get to their state division and take home the gold while growing closer together as a family. “Being close and overcoming hardships together gives you the best results.”
Although Gravedoni has no set plans for his college career, he does know he’s willing to go wherever his sport takes him, even if that’s D3, D2 or even D1. The only thing that matters to Gravedoni is having the opportunity to play the sport he devotes so much to. Whether it’s a simple open skate or tournament, any time Gravedoni has the chance to get on the ice, just know he’s gonna go all out.
