TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF!

I am a native of Southern New Jersey who always had a love for sports at a young age.  When I was seven, I found street hockey and was the only girl on the team. I loved every single minute I was out there in 20 degree weather, running around with the boys. Unfortunately, I only played two seasons and wouldn’t be able to play hockey again until I was in my 20s.

After I graduated high school, I decided to pursue my dream of serving my country and joined the U.S. Army. While in the Army, I was a Human Resources specialist and I deployed to Iraq and Kuwait for nine months. When I was overseas, I was able to experience a different culture and I could not believe how much fun I had.

I served for three and a half years before I decided I wanted to have a family and made the decision to leave the Army in 2017.  My husband and I were relocated from Kentucky to Alaska—where I found women’s hockey. I started my first ice hockey season about nine months after my son was born. Joining the women’s team in Fairbanks, Alaska, reignited my passion for hockey and I was fortunate enough to play alongside some talented ladies.

Now I am back home in NJ, where I continue to play ice hockey in a women’s league, work part time and am studying to earn my master’s degree in communications from Drexel University.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE A WHL BRAND AMBASSADOR?

I wanted to become a WHL Ambassador because I wanted to be a part of a brand that truly supported women’s hockey. When I was younger, girls were not really involved in hockey in any form and I am happy to be able to be a part of the movement to help grow women’s hockey. Especially now when there are so many women’s programs developing, this is a conversation I want to be apart of.

Mostly, I am looking forward to spreading awareness for women’s hockey because I believe we deserve a seat at the table for this sport. I also am excited to combine my love of writing with my love of hockey to help promote women’s hockey any way I can.

WHAT’S SOMETHING NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU?

One thing people may not know about me is that I used to be involved in acting. I acted for a few years and even auditioned for the broadway show Hairspray! in NYC.

IF YOU COULD SIT DOWN AND HAVE DINNER WITH ONE FEMALE HOCKEY PLAYER, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

I would love the opportunity to sit and speak with Kelsey Koelzer. She is a former NWHL player and the new women’s ice hockey coach for Arcadia University. The fact that she has accomplished so much in this sport is an inspiration and I’d enjoy hearing her plans for her first season as a coach.

WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN IN HOCKEY OR IN LIFE?

The best advice I have ever been given is to never doubt yourself in anything you do. Doubting yourself will only set you up for failure and will keep you from accomplishing your goals. It’s always important to believe in yourself no matter what.

WHAT’S YOUR DREAM FOR WOMEN’S HOCKEY?

My dream for women’s hockey is to see a professional women’s league that is similar to the WNBA. I think women deserve a chance to play at the professional level and they should be treated as professional athletes. It’s important to create a sustainable league for the future generations of women’s hockey and the time is now.