Hope Stafford '22 Recruiting Profile

I grew up in a small town outside of Boston, Massachusetts. I began skating when I was 7, started playing hockey when I was 8, and played on my town's girls' teams through the U14 level. I enjoyed spending time at the rink and taught in the Learn to Play program every Sunday morning, sharing my enthusiasm for the game. The summer before 9th grade, my family moved to California and I began playing for the Jr. Sharks, my first club team. I always knew that I loved hockey but I never thought that I would have the chance to play at the collegiate level until I began playing with the Sharks. With my new club and new team, my game has improved significantly. I have learned to play a physical game using my size to my advantage rather than being afraid of it. While I previously played defense, when my 16AAA team needed more size up front, I learned to play wing and center, expanding my skills even further. I continued to play left wing this season with my 19AA team, both enjoying the position and increasing my abilities. With all of my progress, I have the potential and the desire to continue my hockey career at a competitive level in college. On the ice, I bring a significant physical presence, as well as strong ice awareness which is an extension of the field awareness developed from playing competitive soccer. Additionally, I'm also a team player who values the success of the team over my own. As a young player, I twice received the “Seventh Player” award for my team contributions and have continued to play with this spirit. During the current season when we were unable to be on the ice, I led virtual workouts and kept communication open, then was part of our Leadership Team when we returned to competition in March. I have developed strong relationships with my teammates and coaches and have been eager to learn from those around me as I continue to grow as a player. I hope to find a school where I can challenge myself on the ice and also in the classroom.