British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association
6671 Oldfield Road Saanichton BC V8M 2A1
[email protected]
Ph: 250.652.2978
www.bchockey.net
Fax: 250.652.4536
Q&A With Team Canada Member Kaleigh Fratkin
Kaleigh Fratkin (Burnaby) is a member of the Boston Blades of the Canadian Women’s
Hockey League (CWHL) and played with the Boston University Terriers from 2010 – 2014.
She became the first female to play on a BC Major Midget League (MML) team with the
Vancouver North West Giants, helping the team to the 2010 Major Midget League
Championship.
She also played for Team BC at the 2007 Canada Winter Games and three (3) consecutive
Canadian U18 National Championships, winning each year. Fratkin won a silver medal with
Team Canada at the 2009 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship. She is a two (2) time
member of Canada’s Women’s U18 Team that competed in the three (3) game series
against the United States in 2007 and 2008.
Fratkin 2007 Team BC
Fratkin and the rest of Team Canada will travel to Fussen, Germany for the 2015 Nations Cup, which takes place
January 3 – 6, 2015. BC Hockey caught with Kaleigh to find out about her hockey career from minor, to NCAA and
with Team Canada.
BC HOCKEY: What was it like playing hockey with the boys?
FRATKIN: At an early age I played both boys’ and girls’ hockey, but then there was a
rule change making you choose between the two. At that time, I was six (6) years old
and playing with girls that were 12 years old and with the boys I was playing with were
my age. My parents decided that it would be best for me to play with kids my age.
Fratkin 2010-2011 Vancouver
North West Giants
BC HOCKEY: You were the first female to play in the BC Major Midget League, how
did you find playing with the boys at that level?
FRATKIN: Playing with the boys at the major midget level was really good hockey. I
was fortunate enough to play with some top end players with the Vancouver North
West Giants. The pace was fast and skilled but I think I fared well. Physically, I'm not
the smallest girl, so contact was never really an issue. I learned to tailor my game at a
young age playing male hockey to always be positionally sound.
BC HOCKEY: When you switched to women’s hockey, what was the biggest difference you found? How did you
have to change your playing style to adapt?
FRATKIN: When I changed to women's hockey I obviously had to change how physical I was used to playing. In
male hockey, because I was at a height and weight disadvantage, I had to be very aggressive in order to survive.
When I changed to women's, I had to change the way I entered a battle or a race to a loose puck. It was very
challenging at first and I think it took me about a year or two (2) of college to really figure that out. It's crazy how all
the defensive skills and positioning I learned growing up I had to change at 18 years old because the male and
female game are so very different.
BC HOCKEY: What was your hockey dream as a kid?
FRATKIN: My hockey dream as a kid was to wear the Team Canada jersey at an
Olympic Games.
BC HOCKEY: You have had the opportunity numerous times to wear the Team Canada
jersey. What was it like the first time you put on the jersey?
FRATKIN: Putting on the Team Canada jersey for the first time was a surreal feeling. At
that time I was actually a double under-age (14 years old) with the first ever Team
Canada Under-18 team. Not only was I very fortunate to have been given the
opportunity to wear the jersey, but I was a part of an inaugural team that has helped
grow women's hockey.
BC HOCKEY: What was it like the first time you were invited to a Hockey Canada
camp?
FRATKIN: Being invited to a Team Canada camp is always an honor and I remember
the first time I was invited I was pretty surprised. I didn't even know there was a U-18
team since it was the first year.
Photo credit: Hockey Canada
Images
British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association
6671 Oldfield Road Saanichton BC V8M 2A1
[email protected]
Ph: 250.652.2978
www.bchockey.net
Fax: 250.652.4536
BC HOCKEY: What is the biggest thing you have learned from these camps?
FRATKIN: The biggest thing I always learn at those camps is that everyone's paths to get to those camps or to
make those teams are different and that you can only control your play and not who they select for the team.
BC HOCKEY: Can you tell us a bit about your experience playing NCAA hockey?
FRATKIN: NCAA hockey was the best four (4) years of my playing career so far. I
was extremely lucky to have been a part of a great hockey program. As a freshman
and junior, I went to a National Championship final, as a sophomore and senior I
went to a NCAA quarter final. So in four years, I went to the NCAA Championship
tournament four (4) times. That's a pretty remarkable thing to have been a part of.
These opportunities helped me grow a lot as a player. I really flourished under
Brian Durocher's coaching style and by my senior year I really developed into a
prominent player for the program. I was also part of the first class to win 100 games
for the program which was also a neat experience. Boston University was a good fit
for my college playing career.
BC HOCKEY: What are your future goals?
FRATKIN: My future goals are to play in the 2018 Winter Olympics and to become the
head coach of an NCAA Division I hockey program or an athletic advisor for an NCAA
Division I university.
BC HOCKEY: What’s your biggest hockey accomplishment?
FRATKIN: My biggest hockey accomplishment thus far would be making the National
Development team. It's a really big step in making it to the next level as a senior player.
BC HOCKEY: What is your favorite hockey memory?
FRATKIN: My favorite hockey memory is playing in the Brick Super Novice tournament with the Vancouver Vipers in
West Edmonton Mall. We had an unbelievable team and just the experience of playing in a mall and trading jerseys
with other players was unlike any other tournament. I really liked that tournament.
BC HOCKEY: What is the favorite place you have travelled to with hockey?
FRATKIN: I've been all over North America and even to some countries in Europe and I haven't found a favorite yet.
I love playing on the East Coast though and especially in New England; it's a hockey hot bed.
BC HOCKEY: Who is your most inspirational coach and/or mentor?
FRATKIN: My most inspirational coach and mentor would have to be Ron Johnson (currently the Owner, Technical
Director and founder of Elite Hockey Shooters). I have known Ron for years and he has been a huge part of my
growth as a hockey player. I have never met someone so passionate and knowledgeable about the game. He cares
so much for his players and has done a lot for me over the years. He has really changed the way I see the game.
BC HOCKEY: Who has had the biggest impact on your hockey career?
FRATKIN: I would say my family has had the biggest impact of my hockey career. My two (2) older brothers have
been my role models my whole life and continue to push and support me. My parents most importantly have been
the biggest impact; without their encouragement and support I would have never been able to have the opportunities
I have had. They have given up their whole lives for me and my brothers throughout hockey. Without them I don't
think I would still be playing.