Emma Brajkovic '24 Recruiting Profile

What makes me a bit unique is that my two passions are so different - hockey and art. I want to pursue both at college and will likely pursue a dual degree (creative writing, engineering design, interior design, education, etc) to go along with an art major. 

I have been playing hockey since I was five years old. I started with the Northbrook Bluehawks (boys) and played with them through U14. I also started playing with the Glenview Stars U14 team (girls) as a first year Bantam. As a U16 the 2023-2023 season we won the Illinois State Championship in March 2023 and were National Championship qualifiers in April 2023. My U14 Glenview Stars team was 3rd in the state of Illinois in 2020 & 2021 and we placed 2nd in the National Championships in May 2021! We were 3rd in State again in 2022. In January 2023, I was notified I was selected for the All-State High School Girls team in Illinois and playing in the Illinois All-State game was amazing.

In the 2020-2021 season, I played with both clubs and also joined my girls high school team, the Glenbrook Girls Varsity Hockey team. I have played every position (even including a little goalie as a squirt) so I can see the ice from every perspective. As of now I play defense for my high school team, and center or defense for my club team. I contribute in each role and happily play anywhere my coach and team need me.

Playing with the boys made me a physical player early. My Bantam boys first year coach told me I had to teach the boys how to check! Playing with the girls has taught me grit, tenacity and comraderie. It all shows up when I play now. In the fall of 2020, I also started refereeing hockey games with NIHL and hope to coach someday, too.