Garden River First Nation hockey player commits to University of Toronto

By Sam Laskaris

GARDEN RIVER FIRST NATION – There will continue to be Indigenous representation on the University of Toronto (U of T) women’s hockey team for the next several years.

Jana Headrick, a member of Garden River First Nation, is in her fourth season on the U of T Varsity Blues’ squad.

But it remains to be seen if Headrick, who is expected to graduate from her Kinesiology program this spring, will return to the club. If she decides to enroll in a graduate program at the school, Headrick could conceivably return and play her fifth and final year of eligibility with the Varsity Blues.

Regardless of Headrick’s decision, the U of T roster will still have at least one Indigenous player. That’s because it was officially announced earlier this month that Sophie Grawbarger, who is also from Garden River First Nation, has agreed to join the Varsity Blues, starting with the 2020-21 campaign.

Grawbarger said she chose U of T in part because of the school’s atmosphere and also because of those associated with the women’s hockey program.

“There’s nothing bad about U of T,” she said.

Grawbarger first visited the Toronto school back in October of 2018. Then last April team officials told her they were keen to add her to the program.

She signed her letter of intent to attend U of T this past September. The school, however, only made an official announcement recently.

Grawbarger is currently toiling for the Sault Ste. Marie-based Junior Greyhounds Midget AA girls’ team. She is an assistant captain for the squad.

Grawbarger, a 5-foot-7 forward, is also leading the club in scoring. She had earned 42 points (15 goals and 27 assists) in the club’s first 34 matches this season.

The Junior Greyhounds do not compete in a league. Instead, they participate in various tournaments and also have various exhibition contests against area teams.

Grawbarger started playing hockey at the Tyke level when she was five. Growing up she played on boys’ teams until her Peewee (age 12) season. She then made the switch and has suited up for girls’ clubs since then.

Grawbarger believes she is capable of stepping into the U of T lineup this fall.

“I think I can, especially if I keep working hard and train hard this summer,” she said.

Grawbarger is uncertain what classes she will take in her first year at U of T.

“I’m planning to take History and maybe some Indigenous studies,” she said.

Grawbarger is in Grade 12 now at Superior Heights Collegiate and Vocational Institute in Sault Ste. Marie. She had an impressive over-all average of about 89 per cent last semester. She added that she is not concerned about the demands of being a student/athlete in university. But she admits she is somewhat anxious moving away from home for the first time.

“I feel hockey and school will take my mind off that,” said Grawbarger, who will not turn 18 until this coming November.

Headrick has already passed on some words of wisdom to Grawbarger about what to expect from U of T.

“She told me the school is awesome, the team is great and that I have nothing to worry about,” Grawbarger recollected.

Grawbarger will be moving to Toronto this coming August to prepare for her first year at U of T.

But she is also expected to visit the city a couple of times before that.

She is planning to come to the school in April for a few skates with the team. And she will also attend fitness testing and a team barbecue in July.