Tell us about yourself!

My name is Aimee Thorpe. I’m from Great Britain (Scotland, more specifically). I’ve recently committed to study English Literature at the University of Glasgow. I’ve played hockey for almost five years now, which isn’t much in the grand scheme of things but I’ve played in four different countries, so my hockey story is pretty big.

I started out with a learn to play team in Scotland and ended up on the Scotland U18 and Great Britain U16 girls’ teams. I played a few games for  the Solway Sharks U18 ladies and got a chance to go to North America for more development. I attended Coeur D’ Alene Hockey Academy where I developed my skills and completed the 11th grade of school. I then tried out with a team in Canada. I made the team and spent the 2017/18 season with Pilot Mound Hockey Academy.

During the off-season between America and Canada I was unable to get ice time in the UK (due to insurance) and took up ball hockey. I played one game at it and was approached by someone in the GB ball hockey circuit who invited me to try out with the GB U20 ladies world championship team.

I made the team and my ball hockey took off from there. I play for a team in Scotland, the Glasgow Phoenix and a team in England, the Nottingham Vikings. This year, I tried out with the senior team and made that team after the first cuts. This past season I played ice hockey with Caledonia Steel Queens and Kingston Diamonds. I also managed to get myself onto the Great Britain University’s ice hockey team. The playoffs are still to come but it’s been a hockey-packed five years.

What made you want to be a WHL Brand Ambassador?

Women’s hockey doesn’t get enough credit, so I want to be a part of a movement that allows girls of all ages to experience the life opportunities and skills that hockey gives a person. I would never have lived outside of the UK without hockey and wouldn’t have the support base I have if it weren’t for my teams. Women deserve to play the game they love with no barriers.

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

I’m so excited to be part of the WHL team, not only with blogging but also with the #WHLAMBASSADOR team. I can’t wait to get the word out there and hopefully help expand the knowledge and popularity of women’s hockey.

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

Before ice hockey I did judo for eight years and competed at Great Britain level with that too.

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

I met Hayley Wickenheiser at Wickfest in 2018 when we won the top division with Pilot Mound. It was a surreal experience. It would be amazing to sit down and have a meal with her. I’m also a big Toronto Furies fan, so would happily have a meal with any/all of them 🙂

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

I think to not listen to people putting you down and just to do what you want to do whether people believe in you or not. When I did my judo I would constantly recite “just go for it” during my fight. It meant I put everything into a throw or did something I didn’t know I could do.

What’s your dream for women’s hockey?

I would love for women to be able to achieve their dreams through hockey, whether that be playing hockey for a living or playing hockey for fun. I’d love players to be able to move abroad like men can do without worrying about their family or life.

Interested in becoming a #WHLAmbassador?

Apply here!