Tell us about your hometown, family, and hobbies

High River, Alberta is my hometown.  I have a 15 year old sister, 16 year old stepsister, 13 year old stepbrother, and three family dogs of varying ages and sizes.  From a young age my hobbies have included playing golf, pond hockey, street hockey, going to shinny, camping with my family and spending time out on the boat at Lake Koocanusa.

How did you originally begin playing hockey (what age as well) and what is your favorite memory from when you were younger?

I’ve had a hockey stick (or mini stick) in my hand for as long as I can remember.  My parents say that during the lockout season of 2004/2005 they had to put old Don Cherry dvds on tv because all I wanted to watch was hockey.  I started playing organized hockey when I was 4 years old in High River.  My favorite memory from when I was younger playing hockey was when we won the league banner in my 2nd year Novice season.  Also, one year when our team hosted provincials the boys and I asked our school principal if we could arrange for our entire grade and two grades below (which most of our siblings were in), if it would be possible to create a field trip so that they could come out to support us and watch us play.  The energy from them and the cheering during that game was awesome!

Who is your favorite NHL player and who do you model your game after?  Why?

Connor McDavid is my favorite NHL player. I’m a huge Oilers fan. But I would say that I model my game after a player like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins because he is a strong two way forward.

What team do/did you play for?  What was your favorite part of the season?

This season I am playing for the U18 Foothills Bisons AA team.  The season just got going, but I’m excited to be playing with this group of guys.  I’ve only played with a few of them before, so looking forward to getting to know the new guys and getting to play a leadership role on the team.

What are your top goals as a student athlete?  Why are they your top goals?

My goal this year is to maintain an 80% average in my courses at school while continuing to develop my game on the ice.  I have set off-ice fitness goals and will be working with coaches 1:1 on some specific skill development outside of my regular hockey program to up my game.  These are my goals because I would like to earn a spot playing college hockey in the next two years.

How important is school from your perspective?  Why is it that way?

I think that school is very important. My goal is to play hockey for as long as I can, but I think that school is what is ultimately going to help me get established in a successful career when I’m older.

What would it mean to you to play at the NCAA or Pro level?

It would mean the world to me. Ever since I found out what the NCAA is I have wanted to pursue it. Playing professional hockey is a dream that I have had since I was a toddler, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do as a career.

What separates you as a player or person?  How do you continue to get better?

I think what separates me as a person is that I’m always focused on how I can help grow the people around me, as well as myself. I consider myself to be very selfless when it comes to supporting my teammates in whatever way they need it. I continue to improve my game by playing at game level intensity in practice and going to drop-in shinny by myself to work on skills that I have noticed need work in my game.

What impact are you looking to have in your sports career? (Community, team, success, etc)

Push and inspire the people around me to be the best versions of themselves on and off the ice. I found that when a team has 20 guys that hold each other accountable the team’s success rate will be much higher and players will have much more respect for each other. Another thing that I like to do is to go out to younger team’s practices and help the coach with running drills. I love being a role model on the ice and teaching kids new skills to use in games. 

One fun fact about yourself.

I love country music.  My favorite artist is Tyler Childers, and it’s a dream of mine to go to one of his concerts.