Summer-Rae Dobson has long felt that she belongs with the best female under-eighteen hockey players in the country. Earlier this month, she had the chance to prove it.
Suiting up for Ontario Blue at the annual Women’s U18 National Hockey Championships, Summer-Rae flew to Regina to play with and against some of the the best young players in Canada. The Huntsville native stood her ground against tough competition, making several big plays including setting up the game-tying goal against Atlantic to help her team finish fourth overall in the tournament.
Summer-Rae (middle) battles for the puck between two defensemen during her team’s opening game against Ontario Red
“Being around that calibre of players, it makes you better. The competition, the speed, everyone is faster,” says Summer-Rae, who is currently in her grade 12 year and preparing to graduate from Ridley College in St. Catharines next spring. “I learned lots, on and off the ice. Never to give up, leadership skills, team building, you really learn a lot from those athletes.”
Last year, Summer-Rae had the chance to be the ‘hometown girl’ with the National Championships being held at the Canada Summit Centre in Huntsville for the first time. Her training camp ended on a sour note however, as she was one of the final cuts from team Ontario.
“It broke my heart,” she recalls. “But not making it made me more motivated. Finding out this year that I made it, it was a big relief because I had worked so hard for it. It’s one of those accomplishments where the memory will never be forgotten.”
Representing Ontario has been a journey that began before Summer-Rae left for boarding school in her grade 10 year, before she attended a U18 tryout at just 14 years of age, to when she was the only girl playing on a boys team in Huntsville.
Summer-Rae was the only girl on the Huntsville Otters growing up – in addition to being the team captain
“Playing with boys, you learn the game a bit differently. You have to keep your head up, because there’s hitting, so you build a hockey sense,” she says. “I had to keep my head up because I was the only girl. Also, the boys are a bit faster and stronger so I had to keep up with them and show them I should be there.”
Achieving the goal of playing at the national level is another stepping stone in Summer-Rae’s hockey career that will see her attend Mercyhurst University, a Division I hockey school, on a full scholarship next year. After making a verbal commitment to the school in grade 10, she signed her official offer in the week after coming back from Regina.
“There are some nerves, but I’m also excited,” she says about the prospect of playing in the NCAA next season. “It’s the highest level I could be playing, it’ll be great.”
Summer-Rae’s mother, Connie, also believes Mercyhurst to be the right fit, with a strong focus on academics and low student-to-teacher ratio giving it a community feel similar to Ridley College. The relative proximity of the school compared to other options – such as Boston College – doesn’t hurt either.
“As hockey parents we are used to driving,” says Connie. “We see Summer-Rae a lot, so next year it’s only another hour and a half over the border. We were very pleased when Mercyhurst came through for her, that it worked for all of us to still be able to support her on the sidelines.”
Summer-Rae is counted on for providing a veteran presence in her third year as a member of the Ridley College Tigers
Summer-Rae acknowledges the role of her parents in helping her realize her hockey dream. She also credits growing up and competing against her older brother, Jordan, as being a part of her success on the ice. Jordan is currently in his second year of studies at Western University.
“Without my parents I wouldn’t be here. They support me through everything,” says Summer-Rae. “They are the reason why I went to school, the reason why I have a scholarship, why I even had the chance of learning how to skate. Playing hockey for the first time was because of my parents. Every hockey game, every tournament, school event, they’ll be there. Both of them are very supportive.”
The positive support and encouragement that she has received along the way is something that Summer-Rae feels is important to give back to the community as she gets older. In St. Catharines, she has assumed a mentorship role with ‘Learn to Skate’, a program that encourages young girls to get on the ice, and relishes the idea of one day returning to contribute to the future of girls hockey in her hometown.
“I’d love to come back to Huntsville to promote girls’ hockey. If we could make an organization for girls in Huntsville, that would be awesome.”
Submitted photos
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Congratulations Summer-Rae! The Huntsville Girls Hockey Association would love to have you come out sometime to share your experience with all our girls playing hockey. Such an inspirational story for all these young ladies.
This young woman is an incredible student, athlete and mentor to young girls. Ridley is honored to have played a part in her life for the past 3 years. Summer-Rae, we know you will continue to make Huntsville and Ridley proud as you continue your amazing journey. Congratulations!