Scammell keep playing options open
Truro defenceman drafted into NWHL
TRURO — Even though she had a hint her name could be called in the National Women's Hockey League's (NWHL) recent draft, Truro's Julia Scammell said it was still surprising to hear.
“They called my name which was pretty shocking at the moment it happened, but pretty cool,” she said.
Scammell plays defence and is coming off a solid university career with the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Wildcats. She was selected in the third round, 17th overall, of the NWHL draft by the Newark, New Jersey-based Metropolitan Riveters.
“I had a call with their coach a while back, about a month before the draft, and he kind of let me know it could happen,” Scammell said, adding she was following the draft live on Twitch.
She was working out when her name was called. The announcement was followed by her phone blowing up with messages.
“That's when it starts to feel real,” she said.
And while excited and appreciative of the chance to join the budding professional league, with teams in Buffalo, Boston, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Toronto, Scammell said it's just one of the options she is weighing.
“I have options overseas and an extra year of NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) eligibility, which they're letting us use anywhere, so I was looking into playing here in Canada; using that extra year here if I can,” she said.
Scammell, who earned a Bachelor of Science in nutrition and wellness at UNH, said it boils down to adding another year of school or just playing hockey.
“Now, with the draft, I have that option. I'm not set on anything yet. I'm just trying to keep my options open for now, figure out what I want to do and, ultimately, what will be best for me.”
Scammell looks back on her decision to join the Wildcats program as a good one.
“Playing university hockey is super beneficial for anyone,” she said. “You learn a lot about yourself having to juggle a high-level sport while doing schoolwork, homework. It can be difficult but it taught me a lot of lessons.”
She counts time-management and organizational skills as two obtained from balancing a demanding schedule.
“One thing our coach always told us, make sure your schoolwork is done before our games or when we have to travel, anything like that,” she said. “So those skills became very important to me.”
Her head coach with the Wildcats was Hilary Witt. She said the team is thrilled to see Scammell selected.
“She is an amazing person. She is a smart and composed player,” Witt said.
“She pays attention to details and has good vision and instincts on the defensive side. She will also contribute to the offense with a solid shot and ability to get the puck to the net.”
Scammell said her skating ability is her greatest strength as a player.
“Growing up, that is something I focused on,” she said. “I always did power-skating growing up.”
Playing with confidence is another important element in her game.
“When I'm playing well, my confidence is always what drives me,” she said. “If my confidence is down, that's usually not a great game for me, so making sure my confidence is high and I'm using my skating ability, along with the other things you need to be good at. Playing hockey is one of the most difficult sports you can do, there are a lot of things you have to work on.”