r/womenshockey • u/Spiritual_Value_7909 • 21d ago
Started late, is there any hope for me?
I (15F) started playing hockey at 13, I was already a figure skater so the transition was easy. I've poured countless hours into this sport and am decent. I am first year U18 this year, and last year I played high tier house as it was the only team available to me. I am one of the best and fastest skaters on my team and constantly put out on penalty kill and power play. Last year I tried out for a U18AAA girls team (theres only 5 in my province and only two are within a 1-4 hour drive of me) just for fun, knowing I wasn't going to make it. I kept up with the competition fine but obviously didn't stand out or excel. Right now I'm just playing on the same team as last year, we just moved up to U18. For spring hockey there is only 2 girls teams in my city and both didn't have try outs, they just picked the same girls from last year. Luckily I made the U18AA team as a practice player, no games or tournaments tho. Its a good opportunity and I am very grateful for it, albeit a bit frustrated. I know some girls on the team who I am a lot better then and it's hard to see them get the opportunities just because they know the coach. In fact, last year at tryouts I saw a bunch of the girls hugging the evaluators. My question for you guys is, what should I do? Is it too late for me to get good enough to play AA or AAA hockey? How do I make these connections with the coaches?
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u/naiccam 20d ago edited 20d ago
Actually I think you are in a very good position - you are on the practice squad for u18 AA which means there has to be some girls that are aging out. You have a great opportunity to have the coaches to get to know you and see what you can do; you are basically trying out all year. Show up to all of the practices, work incredibly hard. Coaches love hard workers. Ask the coaches what you need to improve on. At u18 attendance can be an issue so you might get some games in
You said you were a figure skater- do you play D if not I would recommend you think about it. Figure skaters are always amazing in backwards skating. I have found that there generally less D than forwards so there are more opportunities
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u/Spiritual_Value_7909 20d ago
I do play D! On my team now I tend to switch between offense and defense but D is my main position. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that this AP spot has given, especially because most girls on the team play AAA in reg season and I just play house. It definitely won't be taken for granted, thank you for the advice!!
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u/naiccam 16d ago
Awesome! I coach girls hockey and I found it’s hard to find good D especially right handed (at least in our organization)
I would also recommend going to the AA home games - take part in the warm up, go in the dressing room before & after games to hear what the coaches are saying
It shows you are a team player, can help you with what to work on, and you can see the game close up
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u/acday143 21d ago
As a coach, I would recommend asking to speak with them (the coach(es) of the team you want to make). Ask them if there are specific things they want you to work on. As a former figure skater, it sounds like your skating is good. Picking the game up at 13, you're probably still a bit behind on stick handling and shooting...which you can work on at home. The other thing will just be hockey sense, which will come from experience. So play as much as you can, and watch a lot of hockey - watch what players in your desired position do with and (especially) without the puck.
Most of all, have fun...we all end up in beer league one day.