Ancaster Grad Bringing Team Canada Hockey Experience to Yale this September
While many of us spent the summer travelling to local cottages and beaches, one former HWDSB student packed her bags for Calgary to attend a coveted Team Canada hockey camp. Ancaster High graduate Tijana Miskovic was one of 23 NextGen players selected for BFL National Women’s Under-18 Team Summer Development Camp.
“My experience in Calgary representing the NextGen team was a dream come true,” said Miskovic. “I will never forget how I felt when I learned of the news. It was truly an unforgettable experience.”
This group of NextGen athletes attended a virtual summer camp last season, but this training opportunity gave the students a chance to become familiar with the Team Canada program before heading off to school. The team’s time in Calgary consisted of many hours of training, meals, meetings, and bonding.
“The biggest lesson I took away was the competition level,” Miskovic told us. “Our coaches really engraved into us the habit and concept of competing. Now, whenever I’m playing, I always refer back to the concept of competing at all times on the ice.”
The Defender will be bringing this lesson with her to New Haven, Connecticut, where she will be attending Yale University on a hockey scholarship this September. The Ivy League school’s reputation, as well as the reputation of her new coaches, made the decision an easy one. The biggest challenge came as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic did impact my training on and off the ice. With arenas and facilities being shut down, I was unable to train properly,” Miskovic explained. “However, I’m fortunate enough to have a home gym that allowed me to maintain my training to some degree. It was still a challenge though, as you didn’t have the on-ice training.”
Luckily for Miskovic, her years of on-ice preparation with the Burlington Barracudas and Ancaster Royals hockey programs have prepared her for this upcoming season. She was quick to thank her Ancaster coach, Mr. Lounsbury, for helping her achieve these recent feats.
“Mr. Lounsbury’s high level of expertise taught me many on-ice skills that I will continue to develop at Yale,” said Miskovic. “He was a great coach and teacher to whom I will be forever grateful to. I can’t thank him enough for the impact he had on my success.”
HWDSB would like to congratulate Tijana Miskovic on all the Team Canada success she has achieved this summer and wish her the best as she embarks on an exciting new adventure at Yale this fall!
We also want to acknowledge our current HWDSB athletes as we prepare for a safe return to athletics for the 2021-22 school year. When asked what piece of advice she would share with current HWDSB athletes, Miskovic had this to say:
“The biggest advice I would give to current HWDSB athletes is to work hard. When things get tough, don’t give up and never feel you can’t reach your goals.”
Updated on Friday, August 27, 2021.