Brooke Campbell Makes NCAA Commitment To Connecticut
Brooke Campbell, a former Chatham hockey player, has made an NCAA Division I commitment to play for the University of Connecticut.
“I chose the University of Connecticut because I felt like it was the place I would fit in and be able to push myself to my full potential as a person and hockey player,” Campbell told CKSN.
“I loved the campus and the overall feel of the surrounding area. The coaches are all amazing and I’m very excited to work hard and push myself and my teammates to become the best players possible.”
Campbell starred last season for the PWHL’s Southwest Wildcats scoring 12 goals and 23 points in 38 games.
Campbell spent the 2018-2019 season playing for the Chatham Outlaws Midget ‘AA’ team. She also helped the Outlaws Bantam ‘A’ team win the 2018 Lower Lakes championship.
For the local hockey product, with strong Chatham-Kent roots, getting the opportunity to play at the NCAA Division I level is an honour.
“It is honestly a huge honour to know I will be playing NCAA hockey at the DI level come 2022. It’s always been a dream of mine ever since I was a little kid and it feels surreal. I am so thankful for all my family, friends and coaches for supporting me and pushing me throughout my entire life and I am very excited to be able to play the game I love at such a high level. ”
The Essex product, who also plays high school hockey for L’Essor will join the University of Connecticut Huskies for the 2022-2023 season.
For now, she’s just focused on staying ready to return to play, whenever that can happen safely amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Obviously with COVID and quarantine we could not start hockey at the same time as usual so adjustments had to be made. During this offseason I’ve been going to Fury Training Grounds, my local gym about 4 times a week, working on my strength and endurance for when the season starts back up. Now that we have started some modified practices and games with our team I have been training off ice 2-3 times a week. With our on-ice session it has been different, but it is nice to be able to work on some new skills and be able to play and compete. There are rules to be followed to keep everyone safe, but I am super thankful to be back out on the ice and hoping we can start a season soon.”
Whenever that happens, Campbell still has seasoning time in the PWHL, considered Ontario’s top women’s league, to improve her game so that when she takes to the ice with the University of Connecticut Huskies, she can make an on-ice impact.
“My goals when getting to the University of Connecticut in 2022 is to continue working and improving my game on and off the ice. I would also love to help the team win a Hockey East Championship and a National Championship. That would truly be a dream. I am so excited to be apart of the UConn Woman’s Hockey team and can’t wait to compete and have a great University experience.”