Athlete of the Week: Girls’ Hockey Captains
Boards rattle, and the red light behind the net lights up as the puck slips by the opposing team’s goalie. The Big Red girls’ varsity hockey team is off to a winning start to the season led by three veteran senior captains, Azniv Nalbadanian, Marley Jenkins and Clara Gilbert. However, to players, being on the team means more than just being on a winning machine. Every game, every practice, every bus ride serves as a well of memories. These girls form friendships that will last their whole lives.
Jenkins’ journey as a hockey player began at a very young age. She cited her father as a huge encouragement throughout her career. “My dad played hockey in college and in high school. He went to Exeter and always wanted me to play, so he got me a pair of skates when I was three. I started skating then and I’ve always played [since],” said Jenkins.
When she grew a little older, she found more opportunities for competitive play. “When I turned six, I started playing on an actual hockey team. I was on a boy’s team until eighth grade when I came here.”
Like Jenkins, Gilbert began to play the sport she loves after watching a family member play. “I started playing hockey when I was about seven. My older brother played, and I always wanted to do what my older brother did. I grew up playing boys’ hockey because I was one of the only girls in the program. I just loved going out there and skating.”
Gilbert especially cherishes the memories of all the travels she did with her family to attend regional tournaments. “I have been to D.C., Detroit, Canada, California. And it is just so fun to go to these places with my team and hang out in the hotel with friends. But my fondest memory is playing in the first all girls’ hockey team, and it was so great because we paved the way for girls’ hockey in Iowa and went to the Nationals,” said Gilbert.
Nalbadanian began skating at an early age, but her origins were a little different: she started out as a figure skater. She said, “Initially, I did figure skating and I witnessed my older siblings picking up hockey. Ever since then, I’ve played as well.”
Their love for the game also translates into a brighter team atmosphere. Upper Courtney Peyko agreed with this sentiment. “I think that this team is very open. Even though Exeter hockey was very different from my previous hockey experience, I have been having a good time. Captains played a big part in that. They really pull the team together and motivate us, especially because we have three great captains who know exactly how to bring the team together. I think we are having a great year,” Peyko said.
She continued, “I also think that it is amazing that the captains were able to adapt to the position switch as Coach Pacific wanted them to. And Clara, to me, has been very helpful because she is always there for me to talk to about adjusting to hockey and improving my skills.”
While the trio’s teammates are grateful for the captains’ helpfulness, the captains are all appreciative of each other’s effort to improve the team.
Gilbert believes that the calm demeanors of the captains have really helped out the team. “Hockey can be a very tense, uptight game, but we make sure everyone stays loose, takes a deep breath and gets right back at it.”
She added, “Marley has so much poise. She is a great athlete, student, leader. Even if we are co-captains, I still look up to her. Az is also very serious, but she is extremely funny. She knows how to have fun while playing. She is possibly one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.”
"They are true leaders because they both put the team before themselves, and they try to keep the chemistry in the locker room positive and fun, but also serious and focused when necessary."
Jenkins also spoke highly of her co-captains. “Az is so funny. She pumps up everyone. She is also extremely strong on ice and sometimes just snipes the puck. She is a lot of fun in the lockerroom. Clara is very level headed but also extremely competitive. She is kind of like the ‘mom captain,’ so anyone can approach her about their problems and work on it.”
Nalbadanian shared the same thoughts as her teammates.“For Marley, one of her strongest traits is that she makes sure the team is working hard as a group in practice and in games. She is always the one to chime in between periods and let us know what we could do better. And Clara also has very strong leadership skills. She always takes the initiative in practice and shows what needs to be done.
For Coach Young, it has been an incredible journey watching all three of them blossom into better players. “Both Marley Jenkins and Azniz have been on the team since they were preps, and it’s been fun to watch their skills improve over the years. While both girls played defense for their first three years here, we have asked them to play forward this year for the sake of the team, and they are among the top point getters. They are true leaders because they both put the team before themselves, and they try to keep the chemistry in the locker room positive and fun, but also serious and focused when necessary. This is only Clara's second year on the team, but even last year she proved herself to be a hard worker and a very valuable addition to the team both on and off the ice.”
Coach Young added that the team has taken huge strides forward this season under the leadership of the three captains. “The captains have made suggestions to the coaches for how we can be even more successful in games, and the coaches have already implemented their good suggestions. As a result, we recently beat Brewster decidedly 5-2 for the first time in at least 5 years. Overall, all three girls exemplify what we want in scholar/athletes at Exeter. All three are terrific role models to our younger players, they treat opponents with respect, and they wear the Exeter uniform with pride. I feel honored to be on the ice with each of them every day.”
As their Exeter career comes to an end, the trio hopes to make a push for a berth in the playoffs, a feat that hasn’t been achieved in recent years.