Younger Krzyzaniak to play with Pandas

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This article was published 16/12/2016 (3477 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Neepawa’s Abby Krzyzaniak is following in the footsteps of older sister Halli by taking her hockey talents to the post-secondary level.

Halli is in her fourth year with the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks but the 17-year-old Krzyzaniak committed to join the University of Alberta Pandas last month and is excited to play in Edmonton beginning next fall.

“I toured there this past fall,” said five-foot-10, 135-pound defenceman. “It really felt like home. As soon as I toured I knew that was a place I could spend the next five years at and the coaching staff is unbelievable and I’ve heard great things about them.”

Krzyzaniak is currently playing female prep hockey in Calgary with the Canadian Sport School Hockey League’s Edge School Mountaineers. She has tallied four assists in 10 league games this season as the Mountaineers sit fourth in the six-team division with a record of 4-3-3.

She also represented Manitoba at last month’s under-18 national women’s hockey championship, recording two helpers in four games as Manitoba finished seventh.

Hannah Fouillard was at U18 nationals — last year — and Krzyzaniak is eager to join the St. Lazare product on the Pandas roster.

“I think it’s going to be nice going there and knowing some of the girls and I’ll feel comfortable,” Krzyzaniak said. “I talked to Hannah a little bit and asked her how it’s been and she told me she loved it.”

Krzyzaniak was courted by other Canada West schools but ultimately chose Alberta.

“It was definitely hard to make that decision but when it came down to it I knew I had to go where my heart wanted me to go,” she added.

Krzyzaniak also noted that being away from home will hopefully make for an easier transition when she makes the jump from the CSSHL to U Sports.

“It’s definitely hard at times but I have my team and I have my billet family to help me out,” she said. “It’s definitely difficult at times but it has been worth it, all of the hard times have been worth it.

“I’m used to being away from home, not seeing my parents and my family, and have learned how to take care of myself and do what I need to do and just kind of learning how to be an adult.”

On the ice, Krzyzaniak expects Canada West hockey will be quicker and more physical but expects her defensive-first mentality will help her adapt.

“I’m good defensively,” she said. “I can make a good first pass, I’m a fairly strong skater and I think for my weaknesses I just need to work on some of my offensive skills, like getting my shots through and making things happen in the offensive zone and putting points up.”

And Halli will be there to listen to any questions or concerns Krzyzaniak has.

“I definitely went to her just to help with making my decision on where to go and I definitely looked up to her throughout my whole childhood,” Krzyzaniak said. “She’s always been such a great role model to me and she definitely knows a lot about the game and university and she’s told me what to expect and she’s just helped me along the path and my journey to university and I’m sure she’s going to be helping me in the future.”

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