‘Dream come true’: PWHL drafts local hockey player

A hockey player from Spirit River is going pro after being selected in the PWHL draft this week. CTV News Edmonton's Evan Kenny reports.

“Think of me as a little girl who has had everything she ever wanted.”

Dayle Ross answered the interviewer on Tuesday night in Ottawa with tears in her eyes, elated from being drafted 25th overall to the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).

The 22-year-old defender from Spirit River in northeast Alberta was drafted first pick in the fourth round by the New York Sirens.

“To play with these players now is going to be amazing,” she told media later, once the news had sunk in. “They’re going to make me that much better.”

Ross thanked her supporters back in her hometown who she said watched the draft on a big projector screen. She came to the draft with her parents, her boyfriend and some friends.

This past season she played for St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, U. S.. She was named co-captain in her final National Collegiate Athletic Association season. Her stats on screen at the draft announcement read 40 points and 269 blocks in 142 games with St. Cloud State.

“I’m not very flashy or score lots (of) goals, but I do one job really well and defend,” she described about her game-style.

“I think shutting down some of those players and trying to defend well and blocking shots are my specialty,” she added. “You might be seeing me block a couple shots in the (penalty kill).”

Ross finished playing in the minor hockey league closer to home in St. Albert. Her coach at the time, Dan Auchenberg, was not surprised she is moving to the professional league.

“She’s a great team player and she’ll do whatever it takes to win,” he said, remembering her determination during a semifinals game against the Saskatoon Stars where she “busted down the wing” and shot from the corner to score a tying 1-1 goal.

“She actually caused that one break by just her assertiveness and determination and put the puck to the net,” he recalled.

The team would go on to win 2-1 in overtime. And it was that winning spirit and drive that moved Auchenberg as a coach.

“(She) was committed to getting better and very excited to get to the next year and the following year … and growing,” he said. “She just inspired you to coach.”

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That strength was also highlighted this past year where she played through the whole season with a torn ACL injury. She opted to wait until the post-season to get surgery and spend the summer recovering - but not staying idle.

“It’s all about getting that strength back. I’m doing a lot of skill work, so stickhandling (and) anything I can that’s within my control I can do,” Ross said.

She was one of 17 Canadians and two Albertans drafted to the PWHL on Tuesday.

“I just want to thank the PWHL for everything,” Ross said after the draft, still emotional from the news. “It’s a dream come true.”

Her former coach says Ross is proof that hard work can pay off in the sport.

“It doesn’t matter where you are, you can play the game,” Auchenberg said, hoping other players will be inspired by Ross.

“You can get there somehow.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Evan Kenny