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02/05/2023 08:10 AMNo matter the shift, the period of play, or the score of the game on the ice, Faith Minickene dedicates herself to giving all of her abilities for the betterment of her squad in order for them to win. Living by that credo has enabled both herself and the Hand girls’ ice hockey co-op team to reach newfound heights and glory this winter.
The Tigers’ junior center and assistant captain played hockey as young as 2 years old. After gaining more and more interest in the sport, she graduated to the club team ranks as she got older. Following a four-win campaign for Hand a year ago, Faith and the Tigers have already more than doubled that win total for the 2022-2023 campaign, with an 8-4 overall record. More importantly for Faith, she has emerged as the leading point tallier for the Tigers with 20, on a balanced scale of 10 goals and 10 assists.
“One thing I have always believed in is that I must give as much as I can on the ice,” says Faith, who is also a goalkeeper for the Hand field hockey squad. “It’s also about putting effort into being the first on the puck. I am not so concerned about scoring, and I care so much more about winning. I just want to do everything I can out there.”
At her position, Faith freely moves about the rink, following an always pivotal face-off in the circle at center ice. Yet sometimes, she feels that can be a hindrance for her ice assignment for any given shift, with her constantly skating and switching ends of the arena.
“I love taking part in the face-offs because there are so many different options of how and where to win them,” says Faith. “I also like that I can go anywhere on the ice as a center, but it can also be tough because I am usually the last one out of the defensive zone, so it can be tough skating back and forth to get to the offensive end.”
While she has taken pride in her physicality as a player of the puck, Faith further explains that her intelligence with the rubber has exponentially improved–a key factor towards her being as quick in her head as she is with her skates when deciding when to be a goal scorer or tally helper when the light goes off.
“I have always been one of the more physical players because I am a competitive person,” Faith says. “I have also grown in my knowledge of knowing what plays to make, such as knowing when to pass and when to shoot. Making that decision is a quick thought process. I never think of just shooting the puck, which is something I think a lot of other players do.”
In being called up to a captain’s role, Faith adores having the attention and admiration of her younger peers. She goes on to mention that in this co-op club, no matter the background or hometown of each athlete, this squad is a cohesive unit and functions as a group of family and friends.
“Being assistant captain is a good experience; I like having a little control and motivating the team and having the underclassmen look up to me,” says Faith. There have not been many problems at all, and we make sure we’re all on the same page. We’ve all really clicked from the start. We have had connections through our club teams. We are always together through bus rides, pasta parties, and games. I love talking to every girl on the team.”
Mentality and mindset can prove to be critical aspects of any sporting contest before the opening horn even sounds. Faith surmises one of the bigger reasons for the Tigers’ turnaround this winter has been the mental game face they skate to the ice with on a daily basis.
“It all starts with our attitude going into our games,” says Faith. “We have a new coach and new captains. We have had a great attitude and positivity, so we are trying to keep it up. All of those things have helped us while giving it our all out there.”
Faith is a unique individual who will work around the clock and around the rink while craving additional tips from the game, per Hand Head Coach Greg Thompson.
“Faith is a positive role model on and off the ice,” says Thompson. “She is a hard worker, and she is the first one on the ice, last one off. Faith is willing to learn and thrives for it. She is an exceptional student and just a really good kid and pleasure to coach.”
As Faith and the Tigers fight towards the home stretch of the regular season and prepare for league and potential state playoffs, they are simply looking to maintain the status quo that has worked so well for them through the season’s opening two months.
“We are going to continue to just play our game because we are playing really well right now,” Faith says. “We have to keep that positive mindset and keep on motivating each other to do the best we can. If we continue to do all of those things, then we should be good this year.”