Behind the Hawk: Andrea Ironside

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Thereโ€™s a reason head coach Rick Osborne decided to give Andrea Ironside the captainโ€™s โ€œCโ€ this past year to lead the Golden Hawksโ€™ womenโ€™s hockey team.

Ironsideโ€™s mix of passion, motivation and leadership are all on constant display on and off the ice. This is evident in the Hawksโ€™ astounding 17-0 record so far this season.

The fifth-year kinesiology major got her start in hockey in her hometown of Collingwood at the tender age of six.

โ€œI played boysโ€™ minor hockey and it was just watching my two brothers play when I was growing up that made me want to play,โ€ recalled Ironside.

Since then, the Ironside boys have hung up their skates, but the talented right-winger continues to be a source of inspiration to her teammates at Laurier.

Ironsideโ€™s colourful and humorous personality can frequently be seen at the rink, even if the sunshine canโ€™t.

โ€œPractice at Laurier is at 6:30 in the morning and if itโ€™s not, then itโ€™s at 11:00 at night,โ€ she said.

Shortage of practice facilities and ice times may be a challenging factor for the Golden Hawks, but it hasnโ€™t stopped them in the past, as they have won six straight provincial championships.

โ€œTheyโ€™re all different,โ€ Ironside said of her four straight first-place finishes.โ€œEvery year itโ€™s a new adventure, a new journey. It never gets old. Thatโ€™s what you play for, you play to win.โ€

Throughout her years at Laurier, Ironside has garnered four championships, three Laurier athlete of the week honours, three Ontario University Athletics (OUA) All-Star nominations, two Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) championship tournament All-Star nods and one CIS Second Team All Canadian.

Ironside is quick to note that many people in her life have had a significant role in her success.

โ€œIโ€™ve had quite a few influences in my life. My family has always been very supportive and Iโ€™ve had great coaches along the way, Rick [Osborne] being one of them. Heโ€™s been a great mentor, a great coach and an even greater friend.โ€

Ironsideโ€™s decision to come to Laurier seemed simple enough. โ€œ[I came because of] Jim Rayburn,โ€ laughed Ironside. โ€œHeโ€™s a really good scout and I couldnโ€™t say no to that face.โ€

The team has come to know the captainโ€™s lighter side, as she is always keeping the dressing room in good spirits during critical games.

โ€œI knew I was coming into a great program, they were coming off a national championship and it was something I wanted to be a part of,โ€ said Ironside.

So, what is the captain doing when not sheโ€™s lacing them up?

โ€œReading,โ€ groaned Ironside, echoing the band of burdened student athletes.

Ironside said success in the womenโ€™s game comes from speed and special teams; both are areas that she continually works on throughout the season.

The captain is proud of her team, but like all great leaders, her desire to win never subsides.

โ€œWinning four is an accomplishment,โ€ said Ironside. โ€œBut weโ€™re looking for five.โ€


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