Ling David

By Victoria Shawgo

“I used to go to the Lightning games with my Dad when I was super young,” he shared, “and when I was three I learned how to skate and then I began to start playing hockey.”

At age six, David started playing travel ball in association with the Florida State Hockey League and moved up to a different team every year. He has traveled the southeast for eight years, visiting and competing in many cities including Nashville, Atlanta, and Charleston. He has also had the opportunity to skate at Amelie Arena with his teammates during a Youth Hockey Intermission Game, and to be the Thunderstruck Skater Kid on multiple occasions. Now that he is fourteen, he has qualified to become a referee and hopes to ref games throughout high school.

His main position on the team is forward, which means it is his job to, “get the puck and score goals.” Though he could continue playing travel hockey, David has opted to play for Durant High School on a club team made up of players from several schools in the area. Most recently, he tried out for the Spring Team at Durant and had the opportunity to skate up with the Varsity players. He is a skilled competitor, but what he loves most about hockey is, “All the people I meet and make friends with.”

Looking to the future, David hopes to pursue coaching hockey, or to become a realtor like his dad.