Athlete of the week: Emma Elliott

Emma Elliott’s love for hockey began at the age of seven when she joined the Otters Novice team.

“HMHA (Huntsville Minor Hockey Association) let me start late in the season….I could skate but that was about it! My novice coaches had a ton of patience,” says Elliott.

Emma continued to play with the Otters for a few years but as her ability to skate and play the game increased, she made the difficult decision to move on to play competitively in Orillia. “I enjoyed playing in Huntsville as an Otter. I really got the bug and was given a chance right here at home! But I knew that being a female athlete, I had to eventually make a decision to try and go to play in a competitive girls league,” she says.

Now 16 and a student at Huntsville High School (HHS), Emma plays defense for the Orillia Hawks as well as both forward and defense for the HHS Hoyas girls’ hockey team.

Emma plays hockey because it’s competitive and fun. She was a very spirited supporter watching and cheering her brother on as an Otter and turned her supportive spirit into a competitive spirit on the ice.

“I chose to see if I could make an Orillia team and I did! I know it was and is a big commitment for me but also my parents—our loop this year includes Mississauga, Caledon, Brampton, Orangeville, Etobicoke, North York and Barrie. We spend a lot of family time in the car.”

Emma says her most memorable hockey moment so far was when she first started playing for the Orillia Hawks and they won the Lower Lakes Female Hockey League Championships, which is a big accomplishment. It’s equivalent to winning the OMHAs (Ontario Minor Hockey Association championships) in the boys’ league. She also mentioned the long-term friendships she’d been able to forge with her Orillia teammates.

Mike Torkoff, the Orillia Hawks head coach, says Emma is dedicated and committed to giving 100 per cent in everything she does both on and off the ice, which makes her and her teammates not only better athletes but better people.

She also enjoys playing on her school team and describes her teammates respectfully. “It’s a group of young women who just want to play the game—it’s great to see that this opportunity is available to promote the sport.”

Hoyas coach, Brian Webb, describes Emma as a positive go-getter. “She brings strong leadership to the HHS Hoya girls hockey team. She’s open-minded when given instruction and flexible in the role she is asked to play on the ice. Her leadership on our team highlights her initiative as she sets the game’s tone as a role model. She’s established a new tradition for the Hoyas by bringing a quick inspirational quote before our girls hit the ice.”

Hockey is not the only sport Emma is involved in. She likes to swim, and run track and cross-country. She has begun running competitively with MARS (Muskoka Algonquin Runners) outside of school as well. Pierre Mikhail, who is both the Hoyas track/cross-country coach and the MARS coach, says, “Emma is a multi-sport athlete who leads by example. As a runner, she has made huge strides in a short time. We are excited to see her progress in the future.”

School is still a priority for Emma and she has learned how to balance her school work, school sports and her love for hockey. “I keep on top of school work by knowing when I have hockey and planning around those times. Sports provide an outlet to the daily routine of school—I need this balance,” she says.

Although she doesn’t know what the future will hold, Emma wants to continue to play hockey at a competitive level for as long as possible. “I can’t foresee a time when I won’t be involved in hockey.”

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