The Central York Panthers would like to
congratulate our graduating 2024-25 Jr Panther Clara Liu on her commitment to
York University and playing women’s hockey for the USports OUA York University
Lions. Clara is a great example to all Panthers that if you work hard enough
you can realize your dreams. We are so proud of you Clara!
(Aug 10, 2025 Aurora, Ontario) – The Central York Girls Hockey Association are pleased to announce that their 2024-25 Jr Panther Clara Liu has committed to play for the women’s hockey program at USports OUA York University in North York, Ontario for the 2025-26 season.
Clara always had dreams of playing university hockey. Having a dream is one thing but doing what is necessary to realize your dreams is something completely different. Clara is a great example that the pathway to success is not a straight line. Clara had some ups and downs as she moved through the various age groups and this led to some challenges with her self confidence and her belief in her own abilities. When others were getting elite opportunities Clara, who is a quiet person by nature, kept to herself and used these stumbling blocks to add fuel to the fire that she was building inside her. Once Clara made the Central York U18AA team she was ready for her moment. Clara seized that opportunity and has never looked back. From there Clara has been on a meteoric rise and there is no stopping her now. Known for her smooth skating and elite level edgework, Clara has learned how to play the game at an elite level and tap into her playmaking ability.
Clara has been an outstanding ambassador for the Panthers. She takes pride in being a Panther and is always looking for opportunities to give back to the program that helped her realize a lifelong dream. Clara has left a great legacy with our program and we are so very proud of her. She bet on herself through all of her challenges and she has won the ultimate prize. Not only has she achieved her goal of playing university hockey for a prominent program but she has also won the knowledge that there is nothing out there that she can not overcome. Clara has become an inspiration for the entire Panther Nation and anyone that knows her!
Usually a very quiet person who keeps her thoughts to herself, Clara really opened up to us when asked about her time here with the Central York Panthers. “Going into my first year as a Jr Panther, I was definitely nervous. But from Day One, the team culture helped ease those nerves. The girls welcomed me with open arms and constantly pushed me to grow, both on and off the ice. I’ve made countless memories with them that I’ll always be grateful for. Coach Steve has played a huge role in my development, not just as a hockey player but as a person. He always challenged me to go further and helped me believe in myself to be my own best cheerleader. I’m incredibly thankful to have had a coach who believed in me even when I didn’t. Being a Panther has shaped who I am today, and I’ll always carry that with me as I begin this next chapter at York University”, declared an emotional Liu.
Dan Church, the Head Coach at York, is extremely excited to have Clara joining his program. “We are thrilled to have a player and person of Clara’s quality joining the Lion Pride. Not only is she a great defender with a great set of playmaking skills, she is a hard worker and great teammate. It is exciting to add a player from a great program like the Central York Panthers, where they emphasize positive team culture, leadership, and collaboration. Clara is going to be a great addition to the Lions blue line this season” exclaimed Coach Church.
Central York’s Jr Coach Steve Dempsey is ecstatic about this announcement. “When you see so much potential in someone but they lack the self confidence it is very hard to watch. You just want to get in there right away and help them but you don’t always get it right. In the case of Clara I think she just needed another person in her corner. Sometimes we are harder on ourselves and this can lead to self doubt. Clara really took in everything our coaches were telling her and she made the changes that she needed to and now she is living out her dream of playing university hockey at a prominent program like York. It is not easy to get a spot with these top university teams. I have to keep reminding my players that they are great players and obviously these university coaches see that as well. I’m so happy for Clara and for Coach Church at York University”, stated a very proud Coach Dempsey.
