Samantha Friend '21 Recruiting Profile

     My entire life I have wanted to be a hockey player. I finally got the opportunity to pursue my dream in 7th grade and learned to skate. The very first time I stepped out onto the ice, I wiped out immediately. This did not discourage me, it did the opposite. It made me want to conquer this challenge because my goal was to skate well enough to be on a hockey team. I achieved that goal within 6 months and was able to be on a co-ed house league team that fall. 

    Throughout the next 2 years I pursued to play house league, attend CanAm hockey camps and take private skating/hockey skills lessons with the goal of being on my co-ed high school team. I achieved my goal of playing varsity high school hockey and then set my sights on playing for the Reston Raiders girls travel team. After my first attempt to make the team, I was not selected. Instead of being discouraged, I decided to work really hard throughout the next year and it paid off! I made the Reston Raiders 19U Girls travel team!! Setting realistic goals for myself has allowed me to quickly grow and improve personally and on the ice. My next goal is to play on a women's college hockey team. I am passionate about hockey and motivated to continue to play at the collegiate level while I pursue my career as an American Sign Language counselor/psychologist.

    Buffalo New York is my hometown. Buffalo has a NWHL team, Buffalo Beauts. This past winter, I saw one of their home games. As they skated onto the ice for warm-ups, I was overcome with emotion. Playing at that level is my ultimate dream.