Lauren Dabrowski to skate in Premier Hockey Federation

X-Women defender signs with Metropolitan Riveters

By Corey LeBlanc

Like countless young Canadians, the hockey journey for Lauren Dabrowski began in a similar venue.

"Jacob and I would spend every night on the outdoor rink near my house – hours skating and playing in minus-25 degree weather," the former X-Women defender remembers of those times with her older brother.

"We would be the only ones out there – our toes would be getting numb – but we never wanted to leave."

While the siblings were "always shooting pucks in the backyard," she quips there was also time for "stickhandling around my dog" – a beloved golden retriever named Harley.

Growing up in Tiny, Ontario the brother-sister duo developed a deep passion for the sport, one they shared with their father, Ed.

"I just loved it – I have played ever since I can remember," the two-time U SPORTS All-Canadian notes.

Although there was time spent on other sports, such as lacrosse and soccer, "nothing compared" to being on the ice.

"I also knew that I was kind of good, which made it more enjoyable," Dabrowski adds, with a laugh.

She also embraced the team atmosphere associated with hockey.

"I have always loved being in the dressing room with my friends and teammates."

Noting that she is "super competitive," Dabrowski says she readily accepts the opportunity to be a "difference maker" for her team.

"It means a lot to me," she adds of having her teammates rely on her to perform.

Dabrowski took that approach as she climbed the minor hockey ranks.

"It is quite a long one," she laughs, when asked to offer highlights of her path in the sport.

Although she played with boys, including Jacob – who was two years older, whenever she could – Dabrowski always skated on girls' teams.

After starting minor hockey in North Simcoe – where the nearest program was located – she moved to the Barrie Women's Hockey Association, where she played then peewee and bantam with the Sharks.

"As I got older, I started to realize that I had an opportunity to get somewhere," Dabrowski remembers of possibly skating at the university level.

By her final season in the Provincial Women's Hockey League (PWHL) in her native province, she says she "got noticed" by several schools – both in Canada and the United States.

When it came to playing at the post-secondary level, Dabrowski explains that her focus always had been on the Division 1 level in the NCAA, where she would get the chance "to play with and against the best." Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, ended up helping her reach that goal.

While playing at a tournament in Buffalo during her freshman season in 2020, the increase in COVID-19 cases were threatening people's ability to cross the border, so her parents convinced her to "come home" to Canada as the global pandemic tightened its grip on North America.

Dabrowski eventually turned her attention to what was next – both athletically and academically – while focusing mainly on opportunities north of the border.

"It was a very hard decision," she remembers of putting aside her NCAA dream.

'Incredible' X-perience

During this process, she heard from X-Women assistant coach Willie Jo Sofan, who had recruited her coming out of high school. She notes that STFX was her first choice during the initial process, but she had already committee to Lindenwood when an offer came from the Antigonish-based school.

"Honestly, it was so awesome – I can't say enough about it," Dabrowski says of her decision to don the White and Blue.

After COVID-19 wiped out the 2020-21 campaign, she played two stellar seasons for the X-Women.

"It allowed me to thrive," she offers of her whole Xaverian experience, noting how she developed and gained confidence to be her "true self."

Noting the support she and her X-Women teammates received – not only from the STFX, but also the broader Antigonish community – Dabrowski says, "It was incredible."

She describes STFX as "such a happy place."

Dabrowski, a first-team Atlantic University Sport (AUS) all-star last season, garnered third place in the conference scoring race with 34 points – 15 goals and 19 assists, while adding eight points in the league playoffs. She also followed up a second-team All-Canadian nod in her first season with a first-team selection in 2022-23.

"I was determined to be a first-teamer – I wasn't satisfied," she says.

To help make that happen, she spent last summer in Antigonish, which included plenty of time training with Josh Crouse, STFX Athletics lead sports performance coach, and sharpening her on-ice skills with X-Women head coach Ben Berthiaume. And, she adds, her teammates were "always willing" to spend extra time with her, whether in the gym or on the ice.

"Lauren has developed into a player who you want on the ice in all situations," Berthiaume says, noting that she remains an offensive force, one who remains "potent" on the power play.

He offers that Dabrowski is "one the best 'D'" to ever don White and Blue, a list of student-athletes that is an illustrious one.

"She is a natural leader – her teammates will follow her," Berthiaume adds.

He notes that no one is "more deserving" than Dabrowski of receiving a chance to play professionally.

Exploring her options

During the second half of the most recent AUS season, Dabrowski began thinking – more and more – about the possibility of playing professionally.

"We started discussing my options," she says of bringing an agent into the fold by March.

Although she initially focused on opportunities in Sweden, he encouraged her to widen her options, including the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF).

"I thought I could play at that level, but I admit that I had some doubt," Dabrowski remembers, noting the "very high-calibre skill level" of the North American-based league.

It wasn't too long before she was meeting with Metropolitan Riveters' head coach Venla Hovi.

"We talked about how I could fit into their program and culture," Dabrowski says.

She adds that Hovi provided "positive feedback" regarding what she "did well" on the ice, and "where she needed to improve."

A couple of weeks later, Dabrowski received a contract offer from the New Jersey-based Riveters.

"Everything I had worked for – wanted all my life – was happening. My childhood dream was coming true," she says, adding she felt "overwhelming joy."

Preparing for the challenge

As for the skill set she will bring to the Riveter line-up, Dabrowski says, "I am a very offensive defender," someone who "doesn't hesitate" when it comes to joining the attack.

She adds that she revels in "creating a lot of opportunities" for her and her teammates.

Noting her ability to "make the strong first play," Dabrowski says she also takes great pride in helping her teams prevent their opponents from scoring.

When it comes to making the jump to the pro level, she expects the play to be "much quicker."

She also notes the heightened speed and quickness; not to mention the "more physical" nature, particularly those who may be as much as a decade older than her.

"It will be a wake-up call," Dabrowski predicts of her first Riveter training camp, which will begin in late August.

Nevertheless, she says she is "excited for the challenge" of going up against bigger, stronger and faster players.

As part of making strides with her whole game, Dabrowski plans to spend the upcoming weeks working on her edgework and movement along the blue line; both geared towards "creating space," which will help her get better chances – available lanes – with what her new coaches call a "very good shot."

Along with continuing her training with Crouse and skill development with Hockey Canada's Jordan Burke, she will skate in Sunday scrimmages.

While interning with Quantum Sport Therapy in Halifax, she will not only be putting her Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics, with a minor in human nutrition, she received at STFX's spring convocation into practice, Dabrowski will be tapping into the expertise of her colleagues in preparing for taking the professional stage.

As she prepares to embark on her first season in the pros, Dabrowski reflects on the many people – such as family and friends – who have contributed to her reaching her goal.

"I couldn't have done it without them; they made me a much better player," she says of her X-Women coaches and teammates.

Her Xaverian experience "allowed me to excel."

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