Marvin Lim

Senior

He/him

What was it like growing up homeschooled in New Zealand?

Basically, (I would) wake up whenever I wanted to. We had a pretty big backyard ‘cause it was just out in the countryside … Home was pretty isolated, so I’d do a couple hours of schoolwork, then either play video games, or mess around on the land … just kinda occupying my time until I had,, hockey or whatever that was later in the day. And it took a while to get to hockey, so a large chunk of the day would be taken traveling there.

What made you originally want to begin playing hockey?

I used to drive past the first roller hockey team that I ever played for. They would practice on this kinda open rink, like outside rink, and I’d just see them (while) driving past … I just kind of clung to it. And then I watched the ‘Mighty Duck’ movies and that didn’t help … Eventually, after asking my mum a bunch, she went up and talked to them about it, (and) signed me up.

When did you start playing hockey?

I started playing roller hockey when I was five. I played that until I was about 12. I played on the national team when I was 12 and then I started ice hockey. I just always kinda wanted to, because (it’s) all in the movies and stuff and that’s why I kinda went into roller hockey in the first place. The closest ice rink was two hours away, so my parents started me off with roller hockey, and then at 12 I decided … that I’d rather play ice hockey. I played that for maybe a year or two in New Zealand, and then I went to Canada for seven months and played from there … When I was about 14, and then I moved back to New Zealand in the off-season. My mom was living here in Portland and that’s when I moved here with my sister.

Can you describe your move from New Zealand to Portland?

Well, it was even more of a culture shock because I lived in the country, on a farm, on top of a hill. So I was, super far from all kind of city life. The nearest city was like 30 minutes away but then we moved here and we lived in the heart of (the) Hollywood (neighborhood), the middle of the city. So that in itself was weird.

How did starting public school at Grant as a freshman go?

I feel like it kinda helped me adjust better because I was starting (school) here, because I feel like if I moved part way through high school, it would’ve been harder to make friends … It was tough at first because I hadn’t followed much of a curriculum (while homeschooled).

What role has hockey played in your life?

I feel like it’s a pretty different culture than other sports. You really just cannot be good at hockey without working hard. Probably the biggest thing it’s taught me … like, the best coaches I’ve had have always reinforced (that) hard work will get you a long way … That kind of principle is just very true in my life, and (hockey has) also always been something that’s been part of my routine where without it there would’ve been a lot of points where, without hockey, I wouldn’t have been doing much at all.

Is your number, 15, important to you?

Very. When I first started as a 5 year old, I was by far the youngest player in the club and none of the jerseys fit me. The smallest one, that was still big but almost fit me, was 15 and I’ve had it ever since.

Have there been any achievements that are specifically important to you?

I played on the national team when I was 12. It was just New Zealand’s national representative team so we had Australia come to us for the Oceania tournament in 2012 and we ended up winning the series, all of which was a pretty cool experience, especially being as young as I was … But also just, winning big games is always something that just reminds me why I love hockey … We won the Silver Stick international tournament here, for the double A level in a shootout, and I scored the goal. Those kinds of moments always just reinforce why I love to play (hockey).

What is hockey like for you right now?

I play for the Portland Youth Winterhawks … It’s like the best 18 (youth) team we’ve had in a while … It used to be a high school league, and like a select team of all the best players, which wasn’t as good of a team, and this is the second year we’ve had a stand-alone 18 (youth) travel team. We got some kids in from Utah, so it’s a pretty good team this year.

Have there been any moments where hockey has been difficult?

Yeah, it’s super hard going away like every weekend … If it’s not us flying somewhere it’s usually driving somewhere at least a couple of hours away, so it’s hard to get schoolwork done and it’s hard on the body too. I’ve been really tired this year, and it’s hard to stay healthy when you’re constantly on the go, you don’t have a weekend off.

What does hockey mean to you?

It’s pretty much just been the one constant, the one thing that I’ve had to focus on all the time … An anchor.