Aubriella Westphal '22 Recruiting Profile

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” -Wayne Gretzky. Ever since I was little, I have always been focused on two things: helping others and my dream of playing college ice hockey. My hardship isn't necessarily focused on my chosen career, but with my struggle of being a girl and playing ice hockey. I started playing when I was 10, but at the time I was playing with boys. Playing with all guys was my only choice at having a future with ice hockey. I played with boys for 4 years, until I finally made the switch to the Anaheim Lady Ducks at 14 years old. Growing up in California made it even more difficult as there is a lack of ice hockey teams/rinks, and even less girls organizations. Getting exposure to colleges and to other national teams was going to be a struggle if I played with guys, being the only girl on my team, so I had to choose between the few teams in California that were all girls. I had been with boys all my life, so I was very hesitant in switching to a whole different approach and style. Being able to do something with hockey in my future seemed impossible, there were so many factors against me. Other people have much more of an advantage in the East coast, they practically have an ice rink in their backyard half the year! I've had so many coaches who also brought my self-confidence down. I’ve had coaches tell me that I will never be good enough to make the highest level or tell me I’m not good enough to make it into college. I now finally have confidence in myself. I have traveled all over and competed and been shot down, but I continued to rise. I continued to fight back and I continued to push myself even harder. I want the best for myself, and I will do whatever it takes to get myself to that position. Aside from hockey, my other dream is to be a nurse. I have always been in and out of hospitals with surgery’s and with illnesses that never go away. I’ve always seen the pain in other people’s eyes. I have also always loved little kids, so I feel the need to give back by helping little kids who are too timid. I feel there is so much potential out there and it needs to be brought out in more people, and all it takes is one person to show them.