The Central York Girls
Hockey Association is pleased to announce that their 2022/23 Jr Panther Brooke
Vaccari has committed to play USports OUA Women’s Hockey for the Western
Mustangs in London Ontario for the 2023-24 season.
Brooke came to our program as a quiet and shy individual who let her play on the ice do most of her talking. Brooke has really found a home here at Central York and has shown her teammates what an incredible person she is on the inside. Normally Brooke keeps to herself but she has felt so comfortable here that she has become a lot more vocal and has developed into a strong leader for the Central York Jr Panthers. She is really loving the opportunity to be a role model for the younger Panther goalies and has developed some strong bonds with several of the goalies in our association. Her infectious smile and positive energy have made her an irreplaceable piece to our 2022-23 team.
“It's been a dream of mine to play hockey at the university level and I can’t thank the Panthers organization enough for helping me get there. As much as I’m a shy person, the Jr team culture has allowed me to open up and be myself. It is such a safe environment which has allowed me to create close bonds with my teammates and coaches. I have not only grown as a player since coming here but more importantly I know that I have grown as a person. Thanks to Coach Steve and the other coaches for believing in me and helping me get to this point where I get to pursue my dream of playing university hockey. They have helped to prepare me for this next chapter in my life and I am so excited to join the University of Western Ontario Mustangs next season” commented Brooke Vaccari.
Known as a highly intelligent, calm goaltender, Brooke has been a leader between the pipes for the past two seasons and has shut down some highly offensive teams during that time period. Brooke uses her passion for the game and her ability to stay confident to allow her to play a calm and positionally sound game that has frustrated many good teams over the past two seasons. Brooke’s calm demeanor allows her teammates to play an aggressive style of play knowing that Brooke has their back.
“We have been watching Brooke’s progress over the past few years and we are thrilled that she is joining our program. Her ability to raise her game and excel under pressure will be a great compliment to the team we’ve built here” said Western Mustangs Head Coach Candice Moxley.
Central York’s Jr Coach Steve Dempsey is ecstatic about this announcement. “Brooke has been working so hard towards this goal and even though there were some skeptics along the way she has proven them all wrong. Brooke has the ability to raise her game and go to another level. We saw that last year when we got to our playoffs and Brooke put us on her back and helped our team have an incredible finish to an already great season. It is so rewarding as a coach when you see someone grow while they are with your program. We have seen Brooke grow so much since coming here and we are so very proud of her. She is a great person inside and you just can’t help but be happy for people like that.”
Brooke is scheduled to start the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) 2023/24 season at the University of Western Ontario this fall.