I never fully understood what it is like to love and be passionate about something until hockey entered my life. Not only do I owe a huge thank you to the sport that made my life have a purpose, but my dad deserves such a commendation for introducing me to the greatest sport of all time. From the day I attended my first professional ice hockey game, dating back to when the New Jersey Devils played at the iZOD center, hockey was introduced to my life for a reason.

Without hockey, I would be lost. I would not know what I would want to do with the rest of my life, where I wanted to go or how I wanted to be remembered. Even though I do not play hockey, I love everything about the sport inside and out. Hockey has taught me commitment. If I was not committed to this sport, I would not be working at a hockey equipment store. I would not enjoy handling sweaty skates and equipment, repairing helmets, cutting sticks and more, but I do. Half of the time I leave work smelling like a locker room, but I honestly would not want it any other way.

Once I began my first year in college, I knew exactly what I wanted to study. Sport Marketing made the most sense considering it is my dream to work in the National Hockey League. Once I declared my major early on, I only wanted to surround myself with hockey, so I got a job working with my college's men's club ice hockey team. From there, I really learned about the physical game of hockey more in depth. Statistics in hockey is something I pride myself off of, considering it is not the easiest concept to grasp. I hate math. I hate everything about it and dread even thinking about numbers. But if you throw hockey into the equation I am eager to learn more.

Considering I am a girl who already works in a male dominant industry, I've had my share of doubts. When I am working, I have had many encounters where customers did not think I knew about hockey because I am a girl. Hockey has taught me how to prevail. If anyone thinks that a female cannot love a sport that is male dominant, have a seat for four hours and I will explain everything I know about this sport. I can name you all of the different NHL teams, their captains and what division they play in or I can explain the different brands of sticks, skates and equipment used in hockey. Did you know the Bauer Vapor 1x stick has a low kick-point to make the shot go higher?

I feel in my gut that I was born to work with hockey. I feel like I am on the right path to the NHL. Hockey is something I understand and it is something that I can share with my dad. I probably would not be as close with my dad if it wasn't for hockey, so not only has this sport given me a purpose, but it created a bond I will forever share with him. Hockey has taught me passion. My dad and I even share matching hockey stick tattoos because my love and dedication for this sport will remain permanent, just like my tattoo.