The Central York Girls Hockey Association is thrilled to announce that
their 2023-24 Jr Panther Amber Esterbrooks has committed to play USports
Women’s Hockey for the University of Windsor Lancers in Windsor for the 2025-26
season.
Amber has excelled in her time as a Central York Panther. She has really developed her game at both ends of the rink and is now a top tier player in the highly competitive OWHA U22AA Elite League. Amber has become known for her ability to play a fast paced, gritty, hard working, highly offensive game that will help the Jr Panthers work towards being one of the top offensive teams again this season. Amber has combined her highly competitive nature with her enhanced offensive abilities to create scoring chances for her team on every shift. Amber looks to push the pace and play the game faster every time she steps on the ice.
Amber was an important addition to the Central York Panthers family at a time when the program needed to further develop the Panther High Performance program. It is obvious to anyone that knows Amber that she loves hockey and wants to be the best she can be. Her need to be the best has helped her and the Panther teams she has been on. Amber works very hard at being a great teammate as well as a difference maker on the ice. Her ability to combine her speed with her relentless effort is making her one of the top players in the league in a very short time.
Amber announced, “I am always setting goals for myself to take my hockey game to the next level because it has always been a dream of mine to play at the University level. I am excited to announce that I have reached my goal and will be playing for the University of Windsor starting in 2025. I am beyond grateful for stepping into the Panther organization. The team culture has shown me how to be myself in a safe hockey environment. The Panther organization has led me to create bonds with teammates and coaches which has helped me grow as a hockey player and person. Thank you to my teammates, Coach Steve and all other coaches for seeing my abilities as a player and allowing me to continue learning the game and developing my hockey skills to prepare for University. Being a part of the Panther family for the past three years has been an honour. I will be sad to leave the Panthers but I am also very excited to become a Windsor Lancer.”
Deanna Iwanicka, the Head Coach at Windsor, is extremely excited to have Amber joining her program. Deanna has been watching Amber’s progress as a Panther over the past few years and is thrilled to see how much Amber has developed in the Panthers High Performance program.
Central York’s Junior Head Coach Steve Dempsey is very excited about this signing. “Amber came to Central York with a lot of potential. Her Panther coaches saw this and kept building her up and now we see a complete player. She has developed herself into an exceptional two way player that is an impact every time she steps on the ice. I love watching the speed and compete level that Amber brings. She plays the game fast and we love that here. Windsor has added a key piece to their future. Amber has shown all of us what you can accomplish when you are driven and do a lot of work on your own, away from the fanfare. I am so lucky to get to coach someone like Amber that wants to put the work in. She has helped me become a better coach and a better person. I am cherishing every moment that I get to coach her and I can’t wait to see all of her accomplishments as she continues on this amazing journey”.
Amber is scheduled to start the 2025-26 season at the University of Windsor in September 2025.