For Erin Connolly, junior, hockey is not just a game or a hobby; it is a family tradition, a challenge and a passion.

In a family where her older brothers have been playing “since they could walk and hold a stick,” Connolly said, taking up the sport seemed natural to her.  Hoping to expose their sister to hockey, her brothers taught her the game while playing mini sticks in the basement.

Yet, it was not until she tried the position of goalie when playing with her brothers that she found her true niche in the game. “I realized that I actually liked stopping the other team’s scoring attempts more than scoring goals of my own,” Connolly said.

Since then, Connolly has played goalie for multiple club teams and the Lakeshore Lightning, the high school varsity girls co-op team with players from Cedarburg, Homestead, West Bend West and Port Washington.

This season, Connolly achieved the highest save percentage in the state, with a .950 in the regular season and .887 in the postseason, according to Wisconsin Prep Hockey.

Additionally, Scott Matczak, head coach of the Lightning, stated that “she has a passion for the sport that you only see in a select few…She is the best goalie in the state.”

Her success as the Lightning’s goalie this season led to her coaches nominating her for the Jessie Vetter Award, an award given to the top goalie in the state for the season.  From there, the Wisconsin Girls Hockey Coaching Association (WGHCA) reviewed the nominees and selected the top five finalists— one of whom was Connolly.

“When I saw the finalists, I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride to be able to represent the Lightning,” Connolly said. “The other girls who were nominated are all outstanding goaltenders and I’ve had the privilege of playing with a few of them, so being considered among them is definitely a great honor.”

According to Alex Burns, Homestead junior teammate, “I was not surprised [that she was chosen]…For most of the season she has been number one and it is really amazing.”

Both Coach Matczak and Burns agree that Connolly’s triumph is not one that can be measured statistically or even through a medal: it is evident in her consistent determination on and off the ice.

“She really knows how to handle any and every situation,” Burns said. “Even in the most intense games, Erin keeps her calm and plays her game.”

Coach Matczak added, “She is very driven when it comes to knowing what she needs to do to continue to better herself, not only… in the sport of hockey, but also in whatever life has to throw her way.”

The Jessie Vetter Award winner will be announced at the WIAA State High School Hockey Tournament Banquet this Saturday, March 7.  No matter the results, one thing is clear: that Connolly poured all her effort into her junior season, making it a success.

According to Connolly, “For me, hockey is more than a game. It’s being a part of a group of girls that starts the season as a team and finishes as a family. It’s the feeling you get when you step onto the ice and all of your worries disappear…That’s what I love about hockey.”