Meet Samantha Fortune!

Tell us about yourself!

My name’s Samantha Fortune. I have been playing elite level competitive hockey for 21 years. I played my youth hockey career in the Little Caesars organization. I then went on to play one summer in Prague, Czech Republic for the North American Stars select team. After that I went to Adrian College where I played on the Division 1 ACHA team. In my career there I am a three-time playoff champion, have four Final Four appearances and one national runner up place.

During my time at Adrian I coordinated a goal-a-thon to raise money for wounded veterans of the United States military, raising thousands of dollars for the Wounded Warrior Project. Now that I have graduated with a BA in communications, I am still combining my love for hockey and helping those who have served by coordinating projects to continue to raise money for Smeper Fi Fund.

In my free time, I help coach Little Caesar’s 16u hockey.

What made you want to be a WHL Brand Ambassador?

I wanted to be an ambassador because women’s hockey doesn’t get the credit it deserves, and if I can use my platform to help raise awareness of the talent and diversity in the game I would love to do so.

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

The thing I’m looking forward to most is creating connections with other female hockey players, learning and helping grow the game.

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

One thing most people don’t know about me is that I can beatbox, and have won two beatboxing competitions.

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

One player I would really love to sit down and talk to Hilary Knight. I would love to pick her brain about what it’s like being the face of women’s hockey in America. I would love to learn about what she does and ways I can help expand the game.

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

The best advice I have been given in hockey is don’t stress. Remember why you started playing in the first place and just have fun. That’s when everything will fall into place.

What’s your dream for women’s hockey?

My dream for women’s hockey is for growth. I think hockey is an amazing sport and unfortunately not many people know much about it, or have ever had the opportunity to play. I think if we can get more people on skates and into gear, they’ll be hooked.

Want to join the #WHLAmbassador Team?

Apply here!