Ava Drabyk proving the doubters wrong in boys hockey

Ava Drabyk is rewriting the history books at multiple levels in the province.

The young netminder became the first-ever female player to compete at the boys’ U18 AA level earlier this season, but she didn’t stop there. 

Drabyk also became the first female to dress in a Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL) game as an emergency backup goaltender.

The biggest thing for the young goaltender is to inspire other female hockey players and to show they can also compete in the top leagues with the boys.

“I hope that other girls follow in my footsteps, just realizing that they can do it,” Drabyk said following a recent game.  “I want to carve a path out for them.”

When Drabyk isn’t trailblazing a path for other girls, she’s competing with the Saskatoon Stallions as a goalie in the U15 Saskatchewan AA Hockey League — her second year competing at this level.

Her poise and dedication to the game earned her a call-up to play with the AA Saskatoon Screaming Eagles in the U18 Saskatchewan AA Hockey League.

Drabyk came in in relief in the game and stopped 10 of 11 shots she faced, an impressive feat for a 14-year-old girl competing against boys up to four years older than her.

“I was lucky. I went to the game where they put her in and there’s a lot of firsts that are happening,” Stallions head coach Dave Chartier said.

“She’s got to give herself a little pat on the back because she’s worked exceptionally hard to get to this place.” 

Her hard work didn’t stop there.

The Saskatoon Blazers SMAAAHL team also called up Drabyk this season as the emergency backup goaltender. Although she never saw any action, Drabyk was able to claim another record, becoming the first-ever female player to suit up with the team.

“She’s an exceptional goalie being a female at this level,” Chartier said. “She’s done a great job, she’s very dedicated to the sport, and her energy, pace and commitment to the game and level of play has never waned.”

Even as a first-year bantam player, Drabyk proved she could compete with the boys and made the Saskatoon Generals in the 2020-21 season.

Chartier said he was hoping to draft the netminder last season, but she was highly sought after with an early selection.

“She went a pick ahead of where we were going to take her so I really think her play (and) her attitude is really what set her out and makes her a hockey player at this level,” he said. 

While it can be intimidating to be the only female player on a team, Chartier says Drabyk has done more than enough to earn the respect of her teammates.

“I think it’s got to be tough. The other 16 (players) on the team are changing together, they’re around one another all the time, she’s in a separate room and comes in at special times,” Chartier said.

“But she’s done a very good job to cope, she’s extremely hard-working, she’s got the respect of all the young men on our team because she’s so focused and ready to go.”

Drabyk sports a 5-3-1-1 record with the Stallions this season in nine games.

Moving forward, Drabyk’s next goal in hockey will be to make the switch to the women’s game and compete in the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League.