Voted last season’s All-American player of the year, Matt Van Atta has been the captain of the Sacramento State ice hockey club for three years.

During the 2007-08 season, Van Atta, a defenseman, had a total of six goals and six assists. So far this season, he has racked up four assists.

Before joining the world of ice hockey, Van Atta played roller hockey.

“I still like roller hockey better than ice hockey,” he said. “There is no checking in roller hockey, and I’m a better roller hockey player.”

When he was 8 years old, Van Atta started playing roller hockey in the city of Woodland, where he grew up. He said playing roller hockey gave him the foundation to skillfully play ice hockey.

“It helped me with the basics; it taught me how to stickhandle really well,” he said.

Van Atta said he used to watch his older brother roller blade and decided to give it a try.

“We started skating with inline skates, and then we just got sticks,” he said.

Van Atta and his friends would use an outdoor tennis court in Woodland to play pickup roller hockey games, and work on their skills.

When Van Atta was 11 years old, his parents opened a skating rink. He said this naturally led to him playing more hockey.

Van Atta started playing travel roller hockey, and traveled all over the state with his team.

When Van Atta was 14 years old, a friend encouraged him to take up ice hockey.

“It just felt like the next step,” he said. “I saw my friend’s mom and she was like ‘you have to play,’ so I just started playing and that was that.”

Van Atta said it took him a couple of weeks to adjust.

“Ice hockey is a more physical sport, they do a lot more checking,” he said. “Roller hockey is four-on-four; there is no off-sides. So, they are very similar, but different at the same time.”

For two years, Van Atta played ice hockey for the Skatetown Roseville league in the midgets 17-and-under category. The first year, the midgets came in second place in the state. The second, the midgets won the state championship.

In fall 2003, Van Atta came to Sac State to pursue a bachelor in business entrepreneurship. Upon arriving at Sac State, he discovered that there wasn’t an ice hockey team.

“The ice hockey team wasn’t there, so I went back to Skatetown and played in the 20-and-under league,” Van Atta said.

In his third year at Sac State, a team was established. Van Atta joined, and prepared for yet another adjustment.

“Playing for Sac State was more competitive, it was more full contact,” he said. “But it was OK since I’m used to competition.”

Van Atta has been a member of the team for the past three seasons. His second year on the team, Van Atta was made assistant captain. He made captain his third year.

“They passed out a piece of paper after our first practice, and everybody voted,” he said. “It felt honorable that they voted me as captain. It let me know that the guys on the team really looked up to me.”

Goalie Gokalp Gurer said he has grown to respect Van Atta and his skills.

“He is capable of making defensive plays that can save your team,” Gurer said.

Center Kevin Bean agrees.

“He is one of the best players on our team; great vision, great passer and amazing shots,” he said.

Bean said it is because of his great hockey skill that Van Atta is greatly respected among members of the team.

“He is kind of quiet; sometimes people expect the captain to be loud,” Bean said. “But when he speaks up, everyone listens.”

Van Atta said he plans on playing hockey for the Hornets next season, but is unsure if he will continue after that.

“The only adult league is in Roseville, so I might quit playing ice hockey altogether,” he said. “And just start playing roller hockey instead.”

As far as his future is concerned, Van Atta said he is unsure if he wants to open his own business or choose a career related to hockey.

“I might?try to be a research and development manager for hockey teams,” he said. “That way I stay in hockey.”

Zaki Syed can be reached at [email protected]