Brooklyn Haubrich has no regrets when looking back over the last five years. The Hodgeville product has spent the past five seasons with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies womens hockey team, but has quickly moved on to the next chapter in her life.
“When I look back it was a phenomenal experience. Everyone always says five years goes by quick and it’s so true. I look back and it’s like I blinked and it’s over. Obviously that’s an indication that I had a really good time and I think I grew more as a person than as a hockey player, which is one thing I’m glad to say happened. I have absolutely no regrets.”
The team’s best season in her career came in 2017-18 when they finished with a 27-12-2-0 record.
“The friendships that I made are something that definitely stand out and I’m sure that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. In terms of hockey, I think the best experience was in my third year when we went to Nationals we ended up placing fourth and that was an unbelievable experience and probably my top hockey moment as a Huskie.”
Haubrich captained the Huskies for her final two seasons.
“It was something that definitely helped me develop into who I am today. It’s a pretty big responsibility and I was fortunate that I had two years to do it because I was able to learn from my mistakes I made in the first year and try and correct some of those things in my last year. It’s funny that I kind of go back to my time with the Wildcats and those skills that I learned being captain there really helped me to be the leader I was with the Huskies.”
She was the recipient of the Canada West Student-Athlete Community Service Award this year in recognition of her U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian status and her strong community work.
“I truly didn’t even expect it, so it was totally unexpected. Some of the things that I do I never do to get an award. To be acknowledged for that was a nice cherry on top, especially in my last year,” said Haubrich, who is also a three-time Academic All-Canadian.
Haubrich coached a team of youth funded by the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon, allowing families to enjoy the game who otherwise wouldn’t be able to. She was also a mentor in the Big Sister / Little Sister program, made monthly visits to various elementary schools as a Huskie Homeroom Mentor, and worked to provide on-ice opportunities to female hockey players in rural communities.
“When I look back at how I got to where I was with the Huskies you just can’t help but think of all the people that helped you along the way, so I felt it was important and I felt like I had the time and I could help others. I was really key on hockey players, I really tried to help out with other hockey teams and other youths. I don’t know, I just felt it was something I needed to do. Some of the times I even found it rewarding myself.”
The 5’4” forward finished the regular season with eight assists in 27 games in her final season with the Huskies. She finished her Huskies career with 36 points in 130 regular season games and added three points in 19 playoff games.
Haubrich played four full seasons for the Swift Current Diamond Energy Wildcats, registering 64 points in 110 regular season games in the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League. She added seven points in 20 career playoff games while playing under head coach Terry Pavely. She finished eighth in league scoring in her final season with 24 points in 26 games and was a SFMAAAHL First-Team All-Star before making the jump to the Huskies.
“Terry did an awesome job. I think he’s so good for that program just because he does really give you the necessary tools in order to make that jump. That being said, it is a jump and it’s hard to prepare anyone for it. It’s a lot, you take on moving away from home and a step up in education and the hockey turns out to be a lot. But I was really fortunate that Terry helped prepare me to be able to take that and take it in stride. It was a fun adjustment. It was challenging, but it’s fun to make that step.”
She hopes that others will continue to follow in her footsteps.
“When I look at female rural hockey players in this area, I hope they all strive for that because it’s something that I’m so glad I did.”
The Hodgeville native is currently finishing up her agriculture and bioresources studies online and has already begun working in the Southwest. She hopes to stay involved in hockey in the immediate future.
“I think coaching is definitely something I am going to get into. It’s something that I started doing. I love the game, so any way I can be involved I’m going to be involved. I don’t know where the next steps will take me. Working has been a priority right now, but I’m definitely excited for fall to roll around and get involved in hockey again.”
