Nathaniel Poole ’25. Photo: Instagram.
At the end of the 2024-2025 year, Nathaniel Poole’s short but meaningful time at Northwood was something special. Nathaniel spent only one year at Northwood, but he became a favorite around campus during his time there. He made the most of every moment and did not take his senior year for granted. Nathaniel spent his single season at Northwood on the Prep team as a defenseman and committed to Union College to play NCAA Division 1 hockey. He now plays for the Lincoln Stars in the USHL, which is the top junior hockey league in the United States. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to speak with Nathaniel and gain insight into his life as a junior hockey player.
“I currently play for the Lincoln Stars in the USHL, and I am a defenseman,” Poole said. He then talked about what it is like to play junior hockey. He said, “Honestly, compared to Northwood, it is much less fun and much more of a grind. However, I am enjoying my time here so far. The hockey is amazing, and the days go by so fast because I’m so busy. I’m also in a great location, so when I have time off, I can go to the University of Nebraska for football or basketball games. It’s been hard, but it’s also a blast.”
“In my one year at Northwood, I really learned and grew so much as a person. Northwood has a way of connecting you with people and forcing you outside of your comfort zone in a great way,” Poole said when asked about his time at Northwood. “Northwood prepared me for the rest of my life. The way you learn to talk to people and take risks is a thing that prepares you for the rest of your life, and I will use those skills in the future, whether it’s in college or in a job,” Poole said. “I also really miss Northwood. My time there was so short, and being able to go to class with your best friends every day was special. The memories I made at Northwood will never be forgotten.”
“My plan for next year is to play another year in the USHL, and then hopefully I will be ready to play at Union,” Poole said when asked about his plans for the future. “I hope to have a great season next year and really settle into the junior life and get more comfortable, that will elevate my game, and I want to be a premier defenseman in the league next year.”
Nathaniel has a younger brother, Brennan Poole, who now attends Northwood. Brennan plays hockey for the 16U team, and Nathaniel ended our conversation in classic brotherly fashion: he said, “Be hard on Brennan for me!”
