The Next Star?

This proud young lady is Danica Maynard. I was introduced to her by Venla Hovi when she was 15 and playing out at the Okanagan Hockey Academy where Venla was coaching. She actually appeared on a Manitoba Bisons broadcast while her team was in town thanks to Venla bringing her over and introducing her. At the time, I was told that Danica was a special player in that she plays defence unlike any player that Venla had coached before - she read the play more like a forward than a defender, allowing her to jump into plays and situations where she found all sorts of success.

I'll put it on the record here and now that I trust Venla's judgment when it comes to players. She's an Olympic medallist and has played at the highest levels of hockey, so she's got more credibility than I ever would when it comes to scouting so it makes sense to believe her. However, word of mouth is one thing, but I'm a firm believer of seeing it to believe it. After watching Danica play, I can honestly say the Nittany Lions are getting a special player who will do great things and an incredible woman who will make their program better!

Venla took Danica under her wing while she coached there, helping her find her potential as she was playing with the senior OHA team while still being in Grades 9 and 10. Watching her skate was definitely the best part of her game as she moved extremely well while showing solid edges as she stickhandled in and out of traffic. She ran the top of the umbrella power-play as a Grade 10 student, and she was particularly good at sliding into open spots on the ice and finding teammates with passes when it seemed like there wasn't a passing lane. She just had that vision.

Her size may have been part of the reason a number of scouts were unsure of her ceiling, but that 5'3" frame showed speed when she put her head down, and she wasn't afraid to barrel into traffic in an effort to recover a puck. She was feisty, tenacious, and just fearless enough to make her dangerous with or without the puck. Combined with her skating and stick skills, she stood out among her peers and against the opposition whenever she was on the ice.

On the broadcast, we talked to Danica about her season, her goals, and if she would play for the Bisons (she didn't commit), but she was well-spoken and seemed to love hockey. I'll go ahead and confirm that love of hockey now with her commitment to Penn State where she'll continue her incredible career with the Nittany Lions. Penn State just announced that Jennifer Wakefield will join the coaching staff under head coach Jeff Kampersal, so Maynard is going to have some incredible coaches to help her continue to develop her skills.

I'm excited to see where Danica Maynard will land once her university career comes to an end, but, with some of the Canadian women nearing the ends of their career, there could be opportunities for her at the national level after she was a solid player at the provincial level with Team BC. Before getting too far ahead, she still has a solid year with the Rink Kelowna program where she has four goals and 12 points in eight games after a 46-point season last year. If the Rink Kelowna is at the Female World Sport School Challenge this year, I'm going on record to say that Danica Maynard is a favorite to be one of the tournament all-stars!

Congratulations to Danica Maynard on her university commitment! Seeing her go from talented 15 year-old player to university recruit is exciting, and the sky's the limit when it comes to where she may go!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!