EDHS athlete signs to play with UofM-Dearborn’s inaugural women’s hockey team
by Sylene Argent
Last Thursday afternoon, Alexa Robinson, a soon-to-graduate Essex District High School student, proved that with putting in enough dedication and effort, dreams can be achieved.
Surrounded by her parents and fellow team-mates last Thursday afternoon during a ceremony hosted in the school’s gym, the ten-year hockey veteran, who played for the EDHS Red Raiders and the Windsor Wildcats travel team, signed a contract to play with the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
“I have no words,” Robinson said of getting to play with the University of Michigan-Dearborn inaugural women’s hockey team next season. “I wasn’t expecting this many people to be here. It’s crazy.
“This is something you dream about, but don’t expect to happen,” the right-defence woman said of the scholarship that accompanies her invite to play with the University of Michigan-Dearborn team. “I’m excited for the experience, but nervous for the challenge,” she noted, adding she played her hardest this past season in hopes of catching the eye of a scout or two and made sure she kept her grade up, as well.
Robinson said she has always had an interest in hockey and is proud to be able to combine her post-secondary education with playing at the collegiate level.
Carrie Sirola, Assistant Coach for the University of Michigan-Dearborn team, said she had coached teams that have played against Robinson’s Wildcats team in the past. The Windsor team, she said, had strong players.
As the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s women’s hockey team will officially embark on its first season, starting in the fall, a lot of work has gone into recruiting new players for the team.
There are five players who currently attend the university, who will play on the team. Sirola said those girls have been connecting with the new recruits and answering any questions they may have.
“The biggest advice I give high school girls is that hockey will always be there. Concentrate on school; that is what you need to focus on,” Sirola said.
Robinson and her new teammates will start training in September.