WOODBURY — Between the ice and turf, Nonnewaug sophomore Cameron Packett is an athletic phenom. But even elite athletes need to make a choice at some point.

“The goal is to play NCAA hockey,” Packett said.

Packett, being on both the Nonnewaug soccer and lacrosse team, had to vacate his JV starting goalie spot for soccer and allow more development in his bright hockey career as a top prospect. 

Coming from Tier 1 hockey, the 15U AAA is known as one of the top leagues in the country, having produced talent such as current NHL player Jason Robertson. Packett is one of the top goalies in the league, with the third-highest save percentage of .938.

Packett remembers his early days of hockey.

“When I first played hockey I was 5 with my dad as the coach,” Packett said. “When I was younger I fell in love with the sport, always being around it. My dad played adult league, we are diehard Bruins fans, [and] we even named our dog after the star Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask.”

Packett, who played for three different teams, looks at the Westchester Express as home. 

¨My teammate and coaches all get along,¨ Packett said. ¨We share a certain bond. They can talk to us honestly to get us better.¨

Packett had to sacrifice his other sport in order to play hockey. 

“It was a tough decision, but I feel like I made the right decision,” Packett said. “I really did enjoy being a part of the school’s soccer team, but I have a future in hockey.”

Cameron Packett was the JV soccer goalie since freshman year but had to sacrifice his future in soccer and go full steam ahead for the Express. Nonnewaug JV boys soccer coach Josh Kornblut shares how losing Packett affected the team.

“He is a great competitor, a great athlete, [and] he did a really great job as a JV keeper,” Kornblut said. “His overall attitude, willingness to work, how he competes with teammates, but also is just a positive teammate. I think he’s a really great guy to have around. When he had to leave, we knew that hockey is No. 1 for him, and we understood that.”

The JV soccer team went undefeated with a flawless 5-0 record along with an impressive one goal against. Packett started in net all five games.

“I´ve played soccer since I was 3,” Packett said. “I had a great experience my entire career, especially in high school, I got a lot better and I had a great time.”

Packett, also played as the lacrosse midfielder, was a varsity starter. Jonathan Cheung, a junior defenseman, shares how it felt to play with Packett. 

“He had an instant impact on the varsity team,” Cheung said, “he always stood up for his teammates, also was very competitive, he was a natural leader.”

Packett remembers his immediate impact for the NWU lacrosse team when he scored a game-winning goal.

¨We were in open set, I dodged to my left, I drove to the net and buried it bottom right, then I hit my archer celly and my team celebrated,” Packett said.

Packett plans to spend the next few years getting as many eyes on him as possible. 

“I want to continue to go to showcases and try out for the USA development camp,” Packett said. “I will continue to pursue my goals and work on my off-ice skills and getting more mobile and stronger.”