ABOVE: Fairmont Cardinal Gavin Kester works past a defender in a Big South Conference hockey game at Martin County Arena.

FAIRMONT – Truman High School junior and Fairmont Cardinals boys hockey center Gavin Kester has spent most of his life on the ice and continues to strive to improve his game and push his hockey career further.

“My dad played when he was a kid and I think he just put me into it when I was really young,” said Kester. “I started at probably 3 or 4 and I’ve played ever since and I’ve loved it.”

Kester looks back at the early days of his career, fondly citing the fun he had with teammates on the road and securing tournament wins as his career progressed.

“I think the tournaments growing up were pretty fun,” said Kester. “Messing around in the hotels and winning games, winning tournaments.”

Kester acknowledges that there have been struggles for the Cardinals this season, but he has committed to improving himself to better contribute to his team on the ice and help continue the growth of the squad and improve upon the season record.

” [I want to] score more, be a better teammate,” said Kester. “Be a better captain and leader, make plays.”

Kester does not want to end his playing career with his final season as a Cardinal next season. He plans to try and either find a club team or land a spot at a Division 3 school.

“I hope to play like club or D3 somewhere,” said Kester. “Maybe with my brother.”

On the ice, Kester brings an intensity to his team, operating as an offensive conductor when his line is in play. He is the type of player that you can’t allow to get going because once the first puck finds the back of the net for him, one can expect two to three more to do the same thing.

Though his scoring production is solid as he’s scored 10 goals and added five assists this season, Kester is not a selfish teammate and is more than willing to stand up for his team when things get chippy during the game. Not to mention he is not afraid to put a body on someone if the situation calls for it.

In the offseason Kester spends his time as most teenagers do, hanging out with friends and family while also playing center field for his baseball team and killing time at the golf course.

“Center field on the baseball field and center on the ice,” said Kester. “Hand-eye coordination [is key] for that and golf and hockey, the shot is pretty similar for both.”

Hockey, much like baseball, has had many films made around the sport that draw fans and players in and they all have a favorite. For Kester, that film is 2004’s “Miracle.”

The Cardinals host Redwood Valley for a 7 p.m. game on Thursday.