Because of hockey, my winter break was cut a few weeks short. As our last week before school starts comes to a close, our captains and coaches decided that for our team bonding we should talk about our "Why's". Why do I wake up in the morning? Why do I like school? Why do I love to cook?

The book was wide open. One that we had to do was obviously hockey related, so I decided to answer: Why do I play hockey?

Playing hockey has been one of the only consistent things in my life since I was little. Through all the ups and downs, hockey has been there for me. Like an escape. I'm known at home as the girl who went to boarding school to play hockey.

There aren't many girl hockey players in my town, especially ones who go on to play Division I. However, it has taught me so many valuable life lessons and things about myself that I wouldn't have learned without the sport.

My best friends have come from playing hockey and I have learned to respect, trust, and work with girls (or boys) who I might barely know at the time. Hockey has been one of my defining "traits", you could call it, but I have learned that there is more to life than hockey.

I play hockey to feel like a part of something bigger than myself. I play to be a better person. To learn to love hard work and learn how to overcome adversity, however big or small. I play to build character, learn to have passion, and fully be able to dedicate myself to something.

I have made some of the best memories and my best friends through this sport. It has become such a part of my life over the past 13 years, that I can't imagine it being over in two and a half short years.

I have learned so many life lessons and have had to handle situations that I didn't know I was capable of, but I am grateful that I have had these experiences, both good and bad. I play hockey for my family to make them proud and for my teammates.

I play for those who can't play anymore and for those who can't do what they love anymore. I play for the satisfaction of winning and the ability to make myself and the people around me better.

For now, my life revolves around hockey. But eventually that will end, and there will be even more "Why's" in my life.