Mahoney commits to Mercyhurst
Kylee Mahoney didn’t need much persuading to commit to Mercyhurst University.
The 18-year-old Niagara Falls native visited the school last year before the COVID-19 pandemic and came away convinced the NCAA Division 1 institution was the perfect fit for her, on and off the ice.
“They were always on the top of my list,” said Mahoney, a Grade 12 student at Saint Michael Catholic High School. “They are a top 10 school in the nation.
“Last year I was recruited and was able to go and see the campus and watch a couple of games. It was really nice there.”
Mahoney appreciated being able to see the school in person.
“It was definitely a lot better than virtual,” she said. “I got to see everything up close and personal. The coaches gave me a tour of the campus and I saw the dressing room. It was a really cool experience.”
The Lakers, who play in the College Hockey American conference, began the recruiting process last year but only recently did Mahoney put pen to paper to make it official.
“It all happened so quickly, honestly. It really was amazing,” she said.
Mahoney appreciates the opportunity to continue to play while she majors in biology/medical imaging.
“I’ve always wanted to play at the highest level, the D1 level, and a lot of coaches helped me out to get there,” she said. “Everyone around me has supported me throughout my career. My dad (former college player Brent Mahoney) always told me he knew I could do what I wanted to do.”
Mahoney played with the Niagara Falls Rapids before moving to Oakville of the Provincial Women’s Hockey League this season. She was enjoying her time with the Junior Hornets before the pandemic shut things down.
“I’m playing junior now which is what the Mercyhurst coaches wanted me to do before I made the step to the collegiate level,” she said. “A lot of the players at the junior level are looking and have the drive to go to the next level and the games are really high intensity and it definitely helped me. Even during practices the girls on my team are committed to other places as well so I feel I’ll be well prepared for university.”
Mahoney, who put up three goals and three assists while playing four games at the North American Collegiate Combine in 2018, describes herself as a “full-ice player who is good on the forecheck and backcheck.”
She is grateful to have her future mapped out, particularly with the uncertainty of the pandemic.
“It’s definitely a relief,” she said. “ A lot of my friends who are just trying to apply, it’s a lot of pressure and stress. They have to do the virtual tours and I just feel relieved because I got it out of the way a year ago.
“It’s nice to know it’s all ready to go.”
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