My first intramural game on a men's hockey team

There are four men's hockey teams here at UTSC:

• Tri-Campus (very competitive contact hockey)
• B-Team (very competitive non-contact hockey)
• C-Team (competitive non-contact hockey)
• R-Team (competitive non-contact hockey)

As mentioned in my last post (Tryout hangover), I made the B-team! YAY! I was so proud of myself to be able to compete and keep up with the men's team, that I had a constant smile on my face for at least two days. 

Growing up with brothers and playing competitive hockey all my life, I've never been the "puck bunny" type. I'd rather strap on the skates and compete with the guys, rather than drool over their missing teeth and wild helmet hair in the stands. As a result, I looked forward to playing my first game with the new team. I felt confident in myself that I'd be able to keep up, rather than make a fool of myself and get benched. 

On Saturday (game day) I was calm and composed......until I entered the arena. 

It was then I saw a glimpse of the other team. They had guys triple the size of me. I started to doubt myself quietly in the change room. Will I be able to keep up? Will I be laughed at? Will I fit in with the team? These questions started racing through my head. 

Being a female player on a male hockey team isn't always easy. Even though I've had success playing in mens leagues, I've had my share of inappropriate comments off and on the ice by other male players. I've heard it all. 

"Girl's can't play hockey!" "You're just a pylon!" "Is she a joke?" "Figure skating's the next arena over!""Don't pass to her!"

I usually block those comments out and play my game, but they all came rushing back as I stepped onto the ice to warm up. I've never felt so nervous. 

When the game started, I got into my groove. My defence partner was amazing and we worked incredibly well together. I started to notice that shift after shift, I was improving. I was just as fast, my shots were just as hard, and my passes were just as accurate.

We were leading 1-0 at the end of the first period. 

At the start of the second, I received the puck at the blue line and took a slap shot right at the goalie. To my surprise - it reflected off the other team and WENT IN! I couldn't believe it! I scored a goal! All my teammates and coaches were super supportive and congratulated me. I didn't feel like a girl on the ice, I was one of the guys and they treated me as such. 

The game ended with a 2-0 win for us. All the doubts and nerves I was thinking of beforehand seemed to have enticed me to work harder and prove that a girl can be just as good as any guy on the ice. Myself and two other amazing girls on the team seem to prove this theory well. 

Our next game is against UTM on Oct. 11 at 9 p.m. - Varsity Arena.

If you're a female athlete, do you have a similar experience? How do you deal with hurtful comments? If you're a male athlete, what are your thoughts of girls playing on your team? Comment below or tweet me @Jessica_Moy!

How do I balance school and sports? It gets hectic, but I do have some advice, click HERE!

Tryout hangover

This morning I felt like a zombie. Forced myself out of bed, gulped back two bottles of water from constant dehydration and regretted all I'd done the night before.

The tryout hangover. I know it well.

Push-ups, crunches, laps, scrimmages, sprints -- It's been a crazy couple weeks. Even though my body is feeling the aches and pains, I can proudly say I tried out for FOUR different sports teams this semester at UTSC. Am I crazy? Um. Yes.

I'm only taking three courses this semester, so I do have a bit more time to dedicate to athletics.

The teams I tried out for were girls soccer, hockey, flag football, and boys hockey (yeah, I'm surprised too).

Soccer tryout

I've been on the girls soccer team for the past three years, so I felt extremely comfortable being at tryouts and already knowing the coaches and past teammates. I was surprised to learn there will not be a girls B team this semester (usually there's an A and B team), and I can tell it bothered a few players. One girl even started a petition to get the B team back, but unfortunately, it didn't go through. I was also surprised at the amount of players who showed up. At least 50 girls pulled up their socks, tied their cleats, and competed for a spot on the team. I've never seen so many players at a tryout, it was awesome!

Tryouts are now over and the team has been made. I made the team (yay) and we already won our first game! :)

Flag football tryout

What's a fourth down? Don't ask me, I have no idea. So, why did I tryout for flag football? I wanted to try something new this year, and I thought this sport would be perfect. I learned quickly that you can be an amazing athlete, but in football, if you don't know strategy or football logic, you won't go far. At tryouts I was pretty good at throwing and catching the ball, but it was the plays and cuts that threw me off.

Actual conversation.

Coach: Jess, you're going to run a hook.
Jess: A what?
Coach: A hook.
Jess: What's that? Do I run far?
Coach: You run and cut at a 45 degree angle.
Jess: Cut where? At what angle?
Coach: You basically run straight and turn right.

Embarrassing.

For the sake of my dignity, I didn't attend the last tryout. It wasn't a sport I could see myself enjoying, but you can't blame me for trying!

Hockey tryout

Hockey is my safe place. I feel at home on the ice. Being on the team for the past two years, tryouts didn't even feel like work, it actually relaxed me. I have so much fun on the team and all the girls and coaches are great! The only frustrating part is we don't have a goalie...

If you, or someone you know, is a hockey goalie and is a girl who attends UTSC - WE NEED YOU!

Boys hockey tryouts is a WHOLE different story. I have a lot to say when it comes to being a girl playing with guys on the ice. I did make the team, but I will save this discussion for my next post.

Until then, if you have any questions about any intramural sports, comment below or tweet me @Jessica_Moy and I'll try my best to answer! :)

At UTSC, we are spoiled when it comes to athletics. Intramural sports are FREE to join, not to mention jerseys, water bottles, practice time, transportation are FREE as well. So don't be shy, it's never too early or too late to get involved!

See you guys next week,

Jessica Moy

It's hunting season

The tenth annual UTSC Duck Hunt took place at Varsity Arena Friday Oct. 28. The men’s UTSC tri-campus hockey team faced rivals UTM.

Every year, the first time the two teams play each other – it’s a fierce battle of East vs. West. Both teams laced their skates in front of a crowd of U of T students and supporters.

UTSC took the title last year and was prepared to defend it. A florescent red sign hung on the glass beside the UTSC bench reading, “The Cup Stays Home.”

The name Duck Hunt refers to the 80’s video game, where shooters aim at soaring ducks. In this case, the ducks are metaphorically UTM’s mascot. An eagle.

This year was the first time I've attended the Duck Hunt event. To my surprise, it started ten years ago to boost school spirit and celebrate hockey players within U of T.

A few UTSC alumni told me that a few years ago, this event used to be huge. It brought out larger crowds and was the most talked about event. This year, there still was a number of people who showed their support (around 50-60) with colourful signs, Duck Hunt shirts, and cowbells - but I believe this event can be attract a larger crowd with more publicity.

Some suggested it would be a great idea to make the Duck Hunt a homecoming event for UTSC.

Photo cred: Greg Danko

I took my seat just in time for the first puck drop. The game started with fast pace and full of energy from both teams.

Brodie Fitzpatrick, #16, scored the first goal with a one timer in the first. 

UTM came back, scoring a lucky goal through the five-hole of UTSC goalie Trevor Carozza, #30, making both teams scrounge for the puck until the third.  

Fitzpatrick striked again as the time whined down in the game, making UTSC lead 2-1.

As both teams filled the penalty box with seconds to go, the determination and strive of UTSC paid off as the game ended with the final score of 2-1 for UTSC.

Currently, the entire Duck Hunt series stands 5 wins for UTSC and 5 wins for UTM.

Indeed, the cup stayed home.

Photo cred: Greg Danko

EVAN VAREY

Major: Environmental Science

Year: Second
Position: Defence

Why did you join the hockey team? 
I got dragged into it by Danko (former SCHPA president) after Frosh week. I met Carozza (the goalie), a couple years ago and he saw me at campus the first week and told me to come out in my first year. And now I’m here.

Best part of being part of the team? 
All the guys are so much fun. Guys like Danko, make my day.

TREVOR CAROZZA

Major: French specialist

Year: Third
Position: Goalie

Why did you join the hockey team? 
I’ve been playing hockey ever since I was a little kid. I wasn’t ready to quit yet. I feel like my best years are still ahead of me. I’ve met a lot of great people in this program, so that’s what’s it’s good for too.

Best part of being part of the team? 
Good atmosphere. Anyone who hasn’t played a sport or been on a team, it’s like another family, another set of friends. Hockey players are their own special breed, so we all get along

Do you find the team conflicts with school? 
No, I wish we had more hockey, more practice time, more games because nothing compares to the feeling when you get on the ice.

Any pre-game traditions? 
I always get dressed in the same order, right pad always goes on before the left, right skate always goes on before my left. Same warm up, same stretches, same everything. Nothing changes.

Q/A with former SCHPA president Greg Danko

"Danko! Danko! Danko!"

Last year, when I joined the UTSC girls hockey team, I constantly heard this name around campus. I had no idea who this "Danko" was, nor what he did or why he was well known. All I knew, if I had any questions about UTSC hockey - talk to Danko.

It wasn't until I introduced myself to him at a practice last year, I found out he's the SCHPA (Scarborough Campus Hockey Players Association) president. As a recent Geography and City Studies graduate, he not only played Tri-Campus hockey for 5 years, but also contributed an immense amount to UTSC and SCHPA - organizing events, recruiting players, fundraising, and probably conquering the world on his free time.

As the assistant coach to the girls hockey team, I sat down with Danko (who's known mostly by his last name) after our practice and talked with him about his past accomplishments and what he's up to since graduation.

How did you get started in UTSC athletics?

I've played hockey since I was eight. I played single A from the age of ten 'till my last year of high school. But, I didn't start playing for my high school team until grade eleven. I thought, man, I should have started playing in grade nine. That was a real eye opener. After high school I thought, I should continue playing hockey. So, when I came to [UTSC], the first week of class I looked on the website how I can try-out for the teams and, first week of school I was at hockey tryouts. 

How did get involved the SCHPA?

My very first year of hockey at UTSC there was a guy on the Tri-Campus team, his name was Ryan Parker. He was in his fourth or fifth year. Him and a few other players started the SCHPA as a way to have community between the [boys and girls hockey] teams.  Besides practice, you didn’t really see teams that much, and the initial goal of the club was to do pub nights in the attic, fitness classes, and fundraising together. 

A year went by and Trevor Robson became president and I became the publicity rep. In my third year, after [Robson] left, there was no one else to take over. I got stuck being president in my fourth year and it went from there. 

Last year was my fifth year. I had a lot of time for extra curricular and thought there was an opportunity to do more. As it turns out, I’m studying this at Durham College [at the moment], stuff I literally did for the past two years. I’m studying Sports Business Management. I went from City Studies, to more athletics. I’ve never had an office job - everything I’ve done is sports related. I wanted to see what this was like [as a career].

You've won plenty athletic awards from UTSC, which mean the most to you?

The past two years, I was awarded the Athletic Leadership Award for hockey. I was also inducted into the UTSC Hockey Hall of Fame this past April. I received the Letter Award from the Department of Student Life. That one was big because only 4 graduating students got it that year - it outlines the outstanding contribution and significance into forwarding student involvement on campus. 

What has been your biggest accomplishment at UTSC?

Awards were sort of a symbol of  the accomplishments. I think bringing [SCHPA] together and seeing new leaders take shape on other teams was the biggest accomplishment. It dawned on me one night. I’m a role model. It took a little bit of process. I didn’t see myself as that. I was just a guy who was bored and wanted to do these things for SCHPA. People really looked up to me and took an interest in what I was doing. Not even that, they are interested in carrying it on. 

What advice do you have for students who want to join hockey on campus?

Get involved early. When I started coaching the boys B team, there was a whole group of them that came together, and within 2 years the whole team had graduated. A lot of them didn’t play first year ‘cause they didn't know hockey existed on campus. A lot of these guys regretted it. I say, from the start, get interested. I was active at frosh, recruiting, handing out flyers, wearing jerseys, grabbing players - because that’s how I was recruited. Ryan Parker, the guy who started SCHPA, wasn’t supposed to be [at my frosh], but he stole a table amongst all the clubs. Someone approached me asking if I played sports. When I said yes, they told me to go talk to the guy at the patio:

Parker: Come to hockey tryouts next Tuesday.

Danko: Okay.

Parker: What position do you play?

Danko: Goalie.

Parker: Good. We need goalies.

That's how I got recruited. I want to continue doing that. 

I always see you with a UTSC shirt, hat, or track-pant - how many pieces of UTSC clothing do you own?

Upwards, in the neighbourhood of 40 articles of athletic clothing from UTSC. They include tournament T-shirts, interhouse stuff, or SCHPA/SCAA events.

What can you tell us about the upcoming Duck Hunt event?

It's a fun event. Everyone comes out has a great time. DJ MK will be there, he's a UTSC DJ, spinning at the Athletic Banquet and Boat cruise. Tri-Campus boys are a good team this year, they won their first game 8-1. I’m going to bring an Argo horn, some signs, and cowbells. Plus, if you come - you get a free t-shirt!

Another one to add to your collection?

You bet.

ABOUT DUCK-HUNT:

Cheer on the Men's UTSC Tri-Campus team in their game against UTM (admission price: FREE!).

• Bus leaves from UTSC Athletics Centre at 7:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 28.
• You receive a free duck hunt T-shirt, beverage and popcorn
• Game starts at 9 p.m.
• Music and give-aways during the game, plus a 50/50 draw.
• More info on Duck Hunt, click here.