Hockey is not just a sport for me, but a way of life. You can ask anyone in the hockey community and they will tell you there is nothing quite like it.

From the early morning practices to the late nights at the rink, hockey became a part of me. My parents signed me up for hockey as a way to learn how to skate.

As a youth player, I perceived the sport as a nuisance and did not find enjoyment in practices and drills.

Starting high school hockey my eighth grade year changed my perspective on hockey drastically. Practices were extremely challenging but also very rewarding. The greatest impact was how the older girls took me in and welcomed me with open arms into their “family.” I never felt the impact of such a community and finally felt at home.

Throughout my entire high school hockey career, I felt this sense of continuity I couldn’t have experienced anywhere else. Not only did I gain a lifelong passion, but also a group of people I could share that passion with — people who knew the dedication, fatigue, devastation and triumph associated with hockey.

Whether I liked it or not, these people saw my lowest lows and highest highs, and I saw theirs too. Sports have the power to expose us and connect us in a way many activities can’t.

One of my most vivid memories I have as an eighth grader was a piece of advice a senior gave me on senior night. She said to enjoy high school sports as much as possible. She said to enjoy the team, the sport and everything in its entirety. As a senior completing my last season of high school hockey, I could not agree more.

For athletes, sports can easily become the best part of a high school career. Although sometimes sports seasons can seem long, it is important to cherish your sport as well as your teammates while it lasts.

Four years flies by faster than I could have ever anticipated and it is important to be present for all of it. High school sports brought me the best memories and the closest connections I will find in my adolescence. Closing this chapter is bittersweet but I can confidently say I have had the time of my life.