Dec 08, 2021 | Steve Dempsey | 1106 views
CONGRATULATIONS ALEXA GIANTSOPOULOS - York University Commitment
The Central York Girls Hockey
Association are thrilled to announce that their 2021-22 Jr Panther, Alexa
Giantsopoulos, has committed to play USports OUA Women’s Hockey for the York
University Lions in North York, Ontario for the 2022-23 season.
Alexa has been with the Central York Panthers family for the past 4 years and has left a huge mark on this organization. Not only is Alexa the current Captain of the Jr Panthers program which sits at the top of the Provincial Women’s Hockey League(PWHL), she is also an Assistant Coach with our Panthers U11AA team for the 2021-22 season.
Alexa has been recognized as a leading force in the PWHL and was selected this past summer to take part in the OWHA U18 Team Ontario High Performance selection camp. Alexa has a tremendous drive to succeed in everything that she does. Not only is she turning heads with her play on the ice but she is also a very accomplished student and takes her academics very seriously. Alexa headlines a talented offensive unit with the Jr Panthers that boasts several Ontario High Performance players and is geared to play a fast, skilled, transitional style of hockey that prepares these players for elite hockey opportunities.
While hockey is first for Alexa, a close second would be the “Legacy” that Alexa wants to leave her with the Panthers organization. She has taken on a major leadership role with the Jr program and making sure that all current and future players are aware of what the Panthers culture is all about. Alexa is a big proponent of creating a family culture here where players can be authentic, vulnerable, and have complete trust in their teammates. Alexa worked tirelessly during the past 18 months in helping to transform the Jr program into a unique value based program that seeks out other players looking for a team culture second to none. Her work has helped to put together a group of players that truly see themselves as a family. Family means a lot to Alexa and it shows up in everything that she does for the team and the Panthers organization.
“During my four years with the Central York Panthers I have come to realize that the most prominent thing that sets this organization apart from some others is the culture. It's where you are a part of something greater than yourself and surrounded by people who feel like family. I have been fortunate enough to play alongside great teammates as well as around highly skilled coaches who have inspired and helped me become a better person and player. I am excited to continue to pursue my academic and athletic career at York University, studying Disaster and Emergency Management, while playing hockey for the York Lions, and being a part of the York family”, announced Alexa Giantsopoulos.
“I am thrilled to have Alexa join the Lions Women’s hockey program. Not only does she bring great skill and a high level of compete but also exceptional leadership abilities and commitment. The Central York Panthers organization is doing an outstanding job in preparing players to be an impact at the next level”, exclaimed York University Lions Head Coach Dan Church.
Central York’s Junior Head Coach Steve Dempsey is very excited about this signing. “Alexa has done so much for me and this program, I can’t thank her enough. She has taken on so many leadership roles and seems to have an endless amount of energy when it comes to doing something for the program or the organization. She has shown the players what it means to be fully invested in something. Alexa has set the bar very high when it comes to us looking for future players for this program. She has left a “Legacy” here and the players that will be here next year know that she will be watching them to make sure that they continue to build a program of excellence here. The work has only begun for this program but we are already so much further along because of the efforts of Alexa and others. I am excited for Alexa and her future at York. They are very lucky to have her and we will miss her tremendously. You don’t replace someone like Alexa. You are just very grateful to have had her with you for as long as you did!”
Alexa is scheduled to start the 2022-23 season with the York University Lions in September 2022.