Ashlyn Zaharia '21 Recruiting Profile

My name is Ashlyn Zaharia and I’m a 2003 born seventeen-year-old hockey player. I’ve played the top level of boys hockey all of my life except in 2015 when I made the decision to switch to girls hockey. I played for the AA Winnipeg Twins and lead both my team and the league in points (both scoring and assists). Even though I played girls hockey in winter, I continued to play AAA elite Boys spring hockey with the Manitoba Mustangs. I played on the top line for this team and was one of the top scorers. Hockey is my greatest passion and it’s the one thing I love most besides my family. I always want to get better and take hockey as far as I can, I take all the advice I can to get better. I’m constantly watching hockey games no matter the team and watching how they breakout, how they attack, how they make moves, how they defend the puck, and how they protect the puck. I also always watch the TSN/ESPN highlights over and over again on repeat until I have analyzed every part of the film. I then go outside or to the outdoor rink to recreate them myself. I love to go outside and practice my shot. I always strive to improve my aim and power. I can endlessly shoot pucks all day. I’ll also go outside and practice my hand-eye coordination by flipping a puck on my stick and catching it in different areas such as the shaft.

Hockey to me has always been my escape from the real world. The moment my blades touch the ice, I don’t have a worry in the world. I first put on a pair of skates when I was two and I immediately fell in love with the game. My love and passion for hockey is something no one can take away from me. Along with being a good hockey player, I also strive to be a good student. I have diligence with my work and I always hand in my best work. I take my academics seriously, because I know I can’t make a living off of hockey and because I value education. This past year I switched schools to play hockey at Balmoral Hall (Prep Hockey) , as I was selected as an underage player due to my skill and hockey IQ. Even as a 14 year old rookie playing in the U19 league, I was fourth in team scoring and on the Number 1 power play unit.  I successfully managed my hockey life and school life together. I finished with all my marks being in the 90’s except for one which was 88 and for that I received Head’s Honour Roll.