Meet Jazmine Miley!
Tell us about yourself!
I am from Queens, New York, the largest borough in New York City. I was 13 years old when I discovered girls’ hockey. My neighbor invited me to a BBQ and her niece who attended invited me to her game. I instantly fell in love with the sport, kind of like love at first sight. Because I was new, and it was the middle of the season I began skating with the 10U for basic skating. So, you can imagine this big kid skating with these tiny girls skating circles around me. But I was determined to learn.
My mom put me in every clinic and summer camp she could find to help build my confidence and skill level. My first team was the Long Island Waves and shortly thereafter I went to the NJ Rockets. I was 14 playing at the 16U Tier 1 level, it took a lot to keep up, but the coach saw my potential and the work ethic I brought with me. During my junior year of high school, I met another girl like me and had the pleasure of playing at tournaments with Kelsey Koelzer.
Being a girl of color and playing hockey was difficult at times when you must deal with closed minded players and referees. I just wanted them to realize that I was no different from the next person who loved hockey. Six years with the NJ Rockets and I managed to get picked up by a NCAA Division III university and finish my college career at an ACHA Division I university with a National Title.
Because of hockey I have been able to play overseas three times and medal. I’ve met different women and learned about their culture and hockey experiences. I was given the honor of a coaching position two weeks after graduating. I am grateful for all these wonderful opportunities and experiences.
What made you want to be a WHL Brand Ambassador?
I wanted to become an ambassador because of the lack of diversity in women’s hockey. I would love to be the woman that other girls and women can look up to and connect with.
What are you most looking forward to as a #WHLAMBASSADOR?
Being able to bring women’s hockey in the spotlight more to all young girls regardless of their socio-economic status.
What’s something not a lot of people know about you?
I speak fluent New York Spanglish, I know different weird facts and I have 35 tattoos.
If you could sit down and have dinner with one female hockey player, who would it be and why?
I would love to sit down with Blake Bolden. We met briefly over the summer when she was coaching at the AG2 hockey camp. I would like to connect with her as hockey players and women of color.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given in hockey or in life?
“He who angers you conquers you.”
I was told this when I started playing hockey. I would get frustrated because I felt that I was never good enough or I let people get to me because of the skills I lacked since I started playing so late. But I used that quote to help me prevail through every obstacle in hockey and life.
What’s your dream for women’s hockey?
My dream is for women’s hockey to be seen as equal to men’s hockey. I feel that competition rules and compensation should be the same. I would also love to see more diversity. Being women of color playing hockey shouldn’t be the exception to the rule.
Ready to join our #WHLAmbassador team?
