BY RANDY SCHULTZ –
“Emma cares about hockey a lot. Emma’s definitely a perfectionist.
“When it comes to taking shots during a game, Emma has one of the best shots on the team. An absolute bomb.
“She’s a great person in the locker room. She’s always there for people and always shows up with a smile on her face.
“I love coaching her. I feel very fortunate coaching Emma.”
That is how Wilkes University Women’s hockey head coach, Dave LaBaff, described Emma Guzdek, who plays defense and forward for the Wilkes U team.
Guzdek, a sophomore on the team and a native of Amherst, NY, is remembered in Western New York hockey circles for her play with the Buffalo Regals as well as for CASH (Clarence, Amherst and Sweet Home High Schools) girls high school hockey team.
“Playing college hockey has been an amazing experience,” said Guzdek, now in her second season with the Colonels. “It’s more competitive.
“Everyone is at the same level. It’s a lot of fun.
“You can take everything that you learned from youth hockey and high school hockey and put it together with a lot of people who are doing the same thing.”
Why Wilkes University, located in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
“It’s a small school that has a great Political Science program,” responded Guzdek, who earned her first award last season when she was voted UCHC (United Collegiate Hockey Conference) Rookie of the Week. “Best decision I could have made when it comes to academics.
“In regards to hockey, it was a new program, small team, great atmosphere. I knew when I visited the university I wanted to go there.
“They were so welcoming. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
Guzdek, who was a three-sport athlete when she was attending Amherst High School (hockey, field hockey and softball), sees herself on a different level of play now in hockey than where she was when she was in high school.
“I would say that I play with more confidence now,” commented Guzdek, who began playing hockey for CASH as a freshman in high school. “I believe that when you are playing at the college level you have to play with more confidence.
“It takes a lot to get to that point. Playing in high school it’s not easy. So going into college if you don’t play with confidence you are not going to succeed.”
Guzdek does have some advice for athletes playing hockey in high school.
“Go back to the basics,” said Guzdek, who scored three goals and an assist for Wilkes U in her freshman year. “Enjoy the game.
“It’s the only way you can get to the college level is by having fun with it.”
So where does Guzdek see herself going in the future?
“Right now I’m a Political Science major with an intended double-major in International Relations,” remarked Guzdek. “Right now my plan is to attend a law school and see what happens from there.”
Besides spending a great deal of her time with her studies as well as playing hockey, Emma has also found time to get into coaching.
“I’ve been coaching a youth organization and I’ve absolutely fell in love with it,” stated Guzdek. “I’m coaching with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Jr. Knights hockey team.
“It’s been a great experience. As I said earlier, I love the game and I would love to stay involved with it any way I can.”
(Photos By Janet Schultz Photography/NY Hockey OnLine)
