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The Daily OrangeWHOC | Freshman Skelly taking advantage of playing time in 1st season of SU women's ice hockey
By John Sutton
Posted: 11/17/08, 10:42 PM EST Section: Sports
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Skelly, like most of the Orange, did not know what to expect as a freshman playing with a program in its first year of existence. She did know that playing time was no guarantee and wins would not be easy to come by.
"It was unexpected to actually get the first goal," the freshman forward said. "It is awesome to play in the program they have here because I get to play as a freshman, which is good because I can get the experience. I didn't know how much playing time I was going to get at all."
The initial word about Syracuse came to Skelly from assistant coach Graham Thomas.
Thomas had worked with Skelly at the National Sport Academy in Calgary and immediately called Skelly when he was given a position at Syracuse.
The initial shock of Skelly's first goal has worn off in the month and a half since, but Skelly has continued to impress on the ice. She leads the team with six goals and is tied with fellow freshman Lisa Mullan for the team lead in points with 10.
Skelly has also garnered recognition outside of Syracuse. She has already twice been named Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Week. The first came on Oct. 13 and the latter on Nov. 3 after she tallied three goals in SU's two wins over Sacred Heart.
"It was a little shocking," the Taber, Alberta, native said. "I'm pretty new to this so I didn't really know what was going on, but it was an honor to get that award. I wasn't expecting it. Even though I get it, I still have to come out and work hard every game."
Unlike many of her teammates, Skelly is not coming to Syracuse from another program looking for a fresh start. She will be with this program for the next four years, where she has high expectations for herself and the team.
Skelly said that head coach Paul Flanagan hopes to get Syracuse to a Frozen Four by the end of Skelly's time with the Orange. Flanagan expects her to be one of the main components of his team for years to come and is already getting more than he ever could have expected from Skelly.
"I think she can be a big part of this program," Flanagan said. "She kind of has her foot in the door, now it's just time for her to kick that door in and really become a big part. She is on the top line, she's playing on the power play, and she's on the penalty kill. Now it's just a matter of her maintaining that."
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