AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT: Madison Orawiec | Madison, CT, USA

MEET MADISON!

Tell us about yourself!

I’m from Madison, Connecticut and a full-time student, currently in the 2nd grade.  I’m a first generation hockey player that got into the sport at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was very active in soccer and other activities, but while they were all shutting down, my parents discovered that a local girls hockey organization, the Shoreline sharks, was starting their learn to play hockey program. My younger sister actually started first, and after seeing how much fun she was having, I decided that I wanted to start playing, too! I’ve been skating at least once a week ever since. This is my first year playing travel hockey and I’m dual-rostered on a girls team, the Shoreline Sharks U8 Team, and a co-ed team, Wallingford Hawks Mite A Team. While I spend a lot of time on the ice, I still find time for horseback riding, soccer, and field hockey.

What made you want to be a WHL Brand Ambassador?

I want to be a WHL Brand Ambassador (with the help of my dad) to help grow the game for young girls like me. So many people are shocked to hear that I play a “rough” sport like hockey being a young girl, but I hope to show them how tough and skillful girl hockey players are and encourage my friends and other girls that I meet to play hockey, too!

What are you most looking forward to as a #WHLAMBASSADOR?

I look forward to meeting other girl hockey players that are passionate about growing the game and learning about new opportunities to participate in the women’s hockey community.

What’s something not a lot of people know about you?

I love animals and want to be a veterinarian when I grow up. I would have a whole house full of animals if I could, but for now I only have a bunny, a dog, a fish, and 4 chickens.

If you could sit down and have dinner with one female hockey player, who would it be and why?

I would love to have dinner with Hilary Knight because she has accomplished so much in the women’s game and we have both played at the same rink at Choate Rosemary Hall. It’s the home ice for one of my travel teams and a banner with all of her accomplishments hangs on the wall. It would be great to learn what her favorite experience has been as a player.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given in hockey or in life?

Have fun!

What’s your dream for women’s hockey?

That women hockey players get the respect that they deserve and I won’t be viewed as a girl playing a boy’s sport.

CONNECT WITH MADISON:

@Younghockeystars

WANT TO JOIN OUR #WHLAMBASSADOR TEAM?

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