A Glendon hockey player is standing out amongst her peers, being chosen to play on Team Alberta for the 2017 National Aboriginal Championships.
Brooke Skrypichayko is currently in Cowichan, BC for the week-long tournament featuring the best midget aboriginal hockey players in the country.
Without even participating in a tryout, scouts spotted the 16-year-old defenceman while she was playing for the Frog Lake midget girls in the Alberta Native Provincials. Placing bronze in provincials, it led to an unexpected outcome for Skrypichayko.
“I felt really good, it was a big honour when they gave me the call and said they wanted me to be on the team without even doing a tryout. They just watched me at provincials and really liked my playing style,” said Skrypichayko. “It's a really big deal as an athlete to be recognized, even without you knowing. I really didn't know that's how you could get on the team, by them watching you, learning and being able to pick out your strengths – that's the biggest deal to an athlete.”
The Glendon School student has been playing hockey since she was young with the Glendon mixed team, the Bonnyville Jaguars, and last season was captain for the St. Paul Xtreme Oilfield midget girls.
“My older brother played so I decided I really wanted to play and I really liked it,” Skrypichayko said of how she started in the sport. “Just the thought of being able to put on the jersey, playing, and people watching you. Also, that's where most of my friends came from was hockey.”
She continued, “It really brings my family closer together; the people that I meet and things that I get to do, like going to nationals and teaching kids, it's a really big part of my life. I feel like I am a better person because I joined hockey.”
The National Aboriginal Hockey Championships is an annual competition for elite aboriginal midget players from across Canada, offering an opportunity to also celebrate cultural unity and pride. There is both a male and female tournament, featuring eight teams from each western and central province, the Atlantic, and the north. Approximately 450 players, coaches, and staff are expected to participate in Cowichan.
“I'm really excited. I know it's going to be really great hockey and I'm really excited to see the talent aboriginal people do have in Canada,” said Skrypichayko. “I'm so excited to see the type of hockey I'm getting into and just spending 10 days with really good hockey players that I'm hoping I can build friendships with.”
While Team Alberta only had one practice together ahead of the tournament, Skrypichayko had no problem keeping in shape and preparing herself for the championships. A multi-sport athlete, she also competes in school sports including badminton and basketball.
Already making strides in her hockey career, Skrypichayko is hoping to play university hockey as she gets a post-secondary education. Her ultimate goal is to one day making it on a national team or play in the Canadian Women's Hockey League.
