Julia McAlpin '20 Recruiting Profile

Hockey is a lifestyle, it is the way that I chose to live my life! It has taught me that effort, perseverance, and passion lead us to great things. Hockey has taught me to learn from your challenges, to welcome constructive criticism as an opportunity for growth, and, most importantly, it has taught me to show up everyday!

My father has been the strongest and most inspiring support to my hockey career, as he always loved the game, provided unending support and encouragement, and accompanied me to all the early morning and late evening games and practices, which was a bonus because I was able to spend a lot of time with him. I began skating at three years old, attending father/daughter figure skating, followed by mini-mites at age 4. I've had opportunities to be coached by coaches with varied styles and was fortunate enough to to play alongside athletes of various abilities and skill levels. I've had a few obstacles that were bittersweet growing up, including coming from a large family, requiring my parents to juggle five multi sport athletes and the financial, emotional, and physical toll that entails. In addition, I've historically struggled with feelings of anxiety prior to performance, which has motivated me to use my strengths of persistence and preparation to manage my feelings of anxiousness.

I enjoy watching, volunteering to help younger kids learn about hockey, and learning about great hockey on and off of the ice. My desire is to play hockey at the top of my ability at the college level, regardless of where I land. I'm a fast,driven,and persistent team member with varied experiences on and off the ice!