Sampl commits to D1 St. Michael’s
In the last year, it became crystal clear to Blessed Trinity girls hockey coach Ken Mercer that Vanessa Sampl had what it takes to play NCAA Division 1 hockey.
“We noticed a lot of growth in her game and we recognized why other people were seeing the talent in her as well,” he said.
Mercer was on hand Monday at Blessed Trinity to watch the 5-foot-10, 145-pound forward sign her letter of intent to play D1 hockey with St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vt., in the New England Women’s Hockey Alliance.
Mercer will miss the talented player.
“Vanessa is one of our stronger leaders. We had a really young team this year with only a few seniors on the team and she led by example. She offers a two-way game, she was very defensively responsible and she contributed offensively when we need her to. She was very committed to the program and we really appreciated having her here for all these years. We wish her a lot of success moving forward.”
The 17-year-old Beamsville native is coming off a travel season where she played with the Burlington Barracudas under-18 AA squad. The Grade 12 student started playing hockey at age three.
“Ever since then I fell in love with the sport and I worked hard,” she said. “I liked the competitiveness and the speed of the game.”
She realized she had a chance to play Division 1 hockey midway through the season after joining the Barracudas.
“They needed a 10th forward and they saw me and thought I was a good candidate.”
Sampl visited St. Michael’s, a few other American schools and applied to some Ontario universities but quickly decided that St. Michael’s was where she wanted to continue her hockey career after visiting the school.
“It was the atmosphere, it’s a very beautiful school and everyone was super welcoming and kind.”
The deciding moment came when she met the girls on the team.
“They were nice and I clicked with them a lot,” the future criminology major said.
Sampl has lofty goals for her first season of post secondary hockey.
“I really want to make an impact and become a better player at a level up. I don’t want to be known as the rookie. I want to be a big name.”
She describes her style of play as more defensively-oriented.
“But when it comes time for needing offence I can be there.”
Sampl believes she has taken good strides in her game during the past season.
“I have gained a lot more confidence and I have put a lot more work into my game.”
There was not any one thing that motivated her to work harder on her game.
“I just wanted to be better,” she said.
The next stage in her development will be to get bigger and stronger. She is excited to begin the next step in her hockey journey.
“I am looking forward to getting to know the girls more and getting back on the ice.”
To prepare for the season, she is going to go to the gym, run, practice her shot and skate in the summer with other NCAA Division 1 hockey players.
