Gavin Nau believes you start thinking about your overall career when you’re a freshman, and then when you’re a senior, you hope to see those freshman designs become a reality. The reality for Nau, a Hopewell Valley senior, has been an amazing four-year career of hockey with the Hopewell Valley/Montgomery co-op that recently saw the talented Nau go over the 100-point plateau. It wasn’t in just any game as it came in the HV/M’s win over Colonial Valley Conference rival Robbinsville. “Reaching the 100-point mark is great and it’s something you think about when you are a freshman,’’ Nau said of the milestone. “After you score your first points, it’s not something you dream about but you look forward to it happening.’’ When Hopewell Valley/Montgomery takes the ice against Monroe on Monday, Nau will bring 44 career goals and 57 assists for 101 points. He has 15 goals this season, which is one away from matching his career high of 16 set last year, and he has 11 assists. His play has the co-op at 11-2 overall and undefeated at 4-0 in the CVC Colonial Division. Being a senior and one of the co-op’s leaders, this is a special season for Nau. “We know this is the last year for us seniors and we are all putting everything on the line,’’ said Nau. “I bring a lot of emotion especially knowing it’s my senior year. We all want it so bad and we feel this is the year. The entire team has so much emotion and we care about each other, so there’s a lot of emotion.’’ Another emotion Nau feels is gratitude to be able to play on the same team with his brother, Ethan, who is a goalie for Hopewell Valley/Montgomery. “Because we are a year apart I never played club with him, so playing high school with him is so super cool and my parents love it,’’ said Gavin. “We both are competitive and we push each other a lot.’’ Also a soccer player and team captain, Gavin has welcomed the leadership role. “Leaders need to show things off the ice and not just on the ice,’’ said the elder Nau. “A leader leads the locker room and he must show they care, and the moral of the team is backed by what the leaders do and especially the younger guys need to be shown what they need to do.’’ From an early age and guided by his dad, Jeff, a former semi-pro player, hockey has become a passion for the Naus. “We all play because we love the game, and most of us have played since we were kids,’’ said Gavin. “When you play club and you also play high school you are playing against a lot of your buddies, so that competitive nature is there. You are playing for your school’s pride, and that competitive nature is part of the fun of the sport.’’ Another characteristic that allows Gavin to bring the proper demeanor to the locker room and the ice is the ability to stay in the moment. “A coach told me one time don’t ever look back,’’ recalled Nau. “I was transitioning from defense to forward and trying to learn the mechanic of being a forward. He wanted me to just do as much as you can for your team is what matters.’’ It also has mattered that there has always been the support of his family, and he’s grateful for giving him such sound role models. “They are always there for me and my dad pushes me to be the best player and person I can be,’’ said Gavin. “He tells me that if I’m just there to have fun he won’t push me. But, if you want me to push you to the next level I will.’’ Nau also receives a strong dose of motivation from all those around him, as well. “All of my teammates and all my peers motivate me, too,’’ said Gavin. “They all care so much about me and I want to give back to them not only goals every game, but after a win and you’re celebrating, that’s what you play for and they motivate me to do my best. I’m very passionate and care a lot about the team, I always want to put them first. I want to put every ounce of energy out there for them.’’ It’s a focused, talented and passionate Gavin Nau giving it all to make this a special season for the Hopewell Valley/Montgomery co-op.