For many, ice rinks are daunting places that test balance, coordination, and how much embarrassment you can stand after falling for the seventh time.

But for some, rinks are not their bane: rinks are their playing field, track, or wrestling mat.

One of those people would be junior Hayden Longfellow,  long time Sno-King ice hockey player. 

Starting in her childhood, Longfellow has been on the ice, surpassing all of those who never made it past the lessons or slippery skate nights in elementary.

“I did figure skating for a few months,” Longfellow said. “I was doing lessons..”

Though after those lessons, young Hayden had a change of heart.

“I got so tired of it. It was too repetitive. Always focused on style, how high you lift your leg, or how pretty you look,” Longfellow said. 

And so the switch to hockey was made, and she has never looked back.

This season will be Longfellow’s tenth year on the ice and her ninth season playing on a Sno-King team.

Longfellow plays on an 18U, under eighteen years old, team. When detailing the practices, one thing she notes is the drills.

 “We do a lot of drills, but specifically this season, we have a lot of new players on the team,” Longfellow said. “So if anything, we kind of had to go back to the basics.” 

Though even for someone as experienced as her, she doesn’t really find it in herself to be that bothered.

“I really like my team, though they’re a lot of fun.”

Aside from the team, Longfellow has found her preferred position on the ice.

Mainly playing defense for those years, she has always enjoyed slapping the puck away from the opposition and shutting down the idea of a perfect breakaway.

“When they rush in and they do their little fancy tricks, they think they’re so cool. They do a little bit of this, a little bit that. But I just smack it away… and laugh at them.”

But over the course of her hockey career, she thought it was time for a little change.

“I’ve been experimenting with going up forward, though. I’ve been a defender for like, years, so this is pretty new to me,” Longfellow said.

Having played one position for all of her hockey career, change is welcomed but a little new for her taste.

Though, one thing that isn’t so new is the type of team she is on.

 “I’m on a co-ed team. I’ve never played on a girls team, never felt the need to,” Longfellow said. 

Longfellow has never seen it as a point of interest. Offers to move to a girl team have been made, but Longfellow has continuously chosen to stay on her co-ed team. 

 “I guess I chose not to. They’re always recruiting people. This is my answer every single year: No. Stop asking,” Longfellow said.

While to some it is seen as unique or a new development, to her it is just what she’s been doing for the past ten years.

“Everybody’s first reaction is like, ‘Oh my gosh. Are you getting beat up out there by all the guys? They’re so scary!’ And it’s like, are you serious? Longfellow said. 

One way her frustration could be worded is dull annoyance. The need to know about the ratio of the team is always a point of interest but it simply isn’t a conflict and it never was one.