‘Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’: Sask. hockey player stars at U18 worlds

Stryker Zablocki got to achieve a dream last month – wearing the Canadian maple leaf on the international stage.

The Prince Albert product represented Canada at the under-18 women’s world hockey championship in Zug, Switzerland.

“It was awesome to represent Canada and wear the leaf because it’s not something everyone gets to do. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I was super-grateful for that,” the Regina Rebels forward said.

“It was awesome. We had a super-special group and all the girls made it so fun. I think because we were so tight-knit, it just made it extra-special for everybody.

“It was super-cool to just explore everywhere and be around everybody. It’s super-different. We got to go to Milan one day in Italy so that was also cool.”

She also had a cheering section at the tournament with her mom, an aunt and a cousin there to show support.

“It was great support. Just having family members there made you feel more comfortable if you had a bad game or anything. It’s just good to have support and familiar faces in the stands,” Zablocki said.

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Rebels head coach Mike Merk believes Zablocki’s hard work and dedication to the sport helped her make the national team.

“Over the summer, she came back and was faster and stronger. She has the full package and that’s probably what got her there,” Merk said. “In my eight years, I’ve had seven players go and she’s the first to make it through.

“We’ve got a few. We’ve got another (player) – defenceman Brooklyn Nimegeers – who had a shot at making the team as well, (but she) just fell a little short. Usually, those players stand out pretty quickly when you get them on the roster. There’s a few here that I think down the road might have a shot at it as well.”

Zablocki recorded seven points (two goals, five assists) in six games at the tournament as Canada ultimately finished with a bronze medal, defeating Finland 8-1 in the third-place game. The U.S. won the tournament, defeating Czechia 5-1 in the gold-medal game.

“It wasn’t the result we were looking for, but I was still super-grateful for the experience and everyone was super-happy to be there and it was a great time,” Zablocki said. “All the older players were just super-talented and just playing with them made me better every day. I felt like I was improving because of how skilled they were.”

With her international duties done for now, Zablocki’s focus is back on the Rebels and their quest for a national title. The Rebels currently are the pacesetters in the Saskatchewan Female U-18 AAA league with a 19-3-1-0 record.

Zablocki leads the league in scoring with 46 points (27 goals, 19 assists) in 20 games. The next closest player is Nimegeers, who has 29 points.

“The feeling is great. It’s a great environment and everyone is always happy to be at practice and at games. It makes it extra-fun when everyone is excited and everyone is giving it their full effort,” Zablocki said.

“Last year was a big year for me and there were super-talented older players and they really helped me get better every day and I think that is something I want to bring onto the team this year for the younger girls as well.”

She has become a key cog for the Rebels since she was recruited to the program.

As a hockey and track athlete, Zablocki excelled at both growing up in Prince Albert. Zablocki said she got into hockey because she saw her brother Storm playing.

“Her speed and ability to handle the puck at that top speed (is special),” Merk said. “If you’ve ever watched her, she can do some fantastic stuff with the puck when she is skating and she does it at a top speed. Her shot (is great too).

“She’s leading the league in scoring. She had 40 points last year as a rookie. Some of those numbers are just unheard of for rookies coming into the league. She’s excelling at everything.”

Still, she had to decide to leave home to play with the Rebels.

“The coaches and the team environment – it was a winning environment and I wanted to go somewhere where I could improve the most and win some games,” Zablocki said.

She admits it was tough last season to be so far away from home for the first time.

“It’s good this year. Last year was a little tougher but this year it’s good,” Zablocki said.

While her attention remains on hockey, she has still excelled on the track as well. She competed at the 2023 NACAC U18 championships in July.

She was on the gold medal-winning Canadian women’s team in the 4×400-metre relay.

“She’s one of the fastest in Canada in track and as well on the ice. I think it’s just commitment and hard work,” Merk said.

Hockey is where Zablocki will focus her attention when she makes the jump to the collegiate ranks. Despite one more year of high school ahead of her, she has already committed to Northeastern University.

“It was a whirlwind, that’s for sure. It was super-stressful but it was also really fun and I got to pick somewhere I really wanted to go,” Zablocki said. “It was kind of a dream school for me, so it’s great that I ended up getting to go there as well. It’s in Boston and I love Boston.

“The coaches there are awesome and the environment is super-cool. The school is also highly touted as well and I want to get a good education while I’m there.”

While she knows what the future holds, Zablocki hopes to get the Rebels back to the national championship and this time finish the job.

“We’re going back for gold,” she said.