Watch above: Lauren Zary back home and ready to play for the Huskies
SASKATOON – For the past two years, Lauren Zary played hockey south of the border; NCAA Division 1 at Brown University. The on-ice experience though wasn’t what Zary had hoped it would be.
“I ended up quitting down there. I thought my hockey career was over. I thought I was just going to focus on school,” admits Zary.
“Kind of go on with my life, but I just couldn’t. I love hockey too much.”
The love of the game brought the Saskatoon product back home. And because of the new CIS eligibility repatriation rule, which allows Canadians student-athletes to return north of the border with having to sit out a year, Zary landed in a perfect situation with the Saskatchewan Huskies.
“We tried to recruit her out of midget hockey too,” said Huskies head coach Steve Cook. “We’re very fortunate that two years later she’s going to join us.”
“I even talked to my mom about this,” added Zary. “It’s just the signs that pointed for me to come back home. (It’s) perfect timing for me to come back.”
Zary played a total of 26 games at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The two years of experience will no doubt help her transition smoothly to the CIS.
“Playing Div 1 hockey down there is a high paced game. Definitely think I have a couple years of experience under my belt I should be able to brings to the team and hold my own here.”
Cook likes what Zary adds to the Huskies roster.
“She brings real good offensive flair and a good head for open ice.”
The former Saskatoon Star officially begins her career as a Saskatchewan Huskie this weekend, when the Dogs open up defense of their Canada West Championship at UBC.
Comments