New face at Hill Avery Cohen ’26 cannot wait for winter athletics to begin and is ready to shine on the ice. Cohen, a hockey player from Canada, has big plans for this season and is ready to make her mark on the Hill community.

Why did you start playing hockey?

Cohen: I’ve grown up playing hockey and it has become a major part of my life. My whole family plays hockey so it was my childhood. I fell in love with the game, and I’ve always had a passion for hockey. It has taught me many life lessons and I’ve met so many people through this sport. I also like that it’s not a formulaic game, and you must react on the spot and make fast decisions while under pressure.

What brought you to Hill?

Cohen: “Mrs. Toomey first introduced me to Hill because of her connections with my mom, (both playing NCAA hockey together in college) I was looking for a school where I could play hockey and bring my game to the next level, but also be challenged in the classroom and most importantly become a better person. The Girl’s Ice Hockey program was what really drew me to this school. Although there were so many more things I loved about Hill, the hockey team and coaches separated their program from any other. I chose Hill because of the people. Hill’s welcoming community was something I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of. As soon as I met the students and faculty, I knew Hill was where I was meant to be. Here I can become a better athlete, student, and person. Hill is different because it offers so much. It gives me the opportunity to be well-rounded and excel in all areas. I can pursue my athletic career and my passion for music, while also being a serious student. Coming from Canada, I’m far away from home, but being here has felt like having a 2nd family and home. I was considering schools closer to where I live, but Hill has only made me feel closer to home.”

What are you looking forward to the most this winter?

Cohen: I’m looking forward to the hockey season this winter and the opportunity to grow and get better each day while being surrounded by the best hockey players and people. I can’t wait to spend every day with my team, get to know everyone better, and create more lifelong friendships. I’m looking forward to lots of fist bumps and encouragement from my team. I’m excited about the moments and memories I’ll share with the girls. I know winter will be long and there will be hard moments, but I’m excited to see what this season has in store! I’m ready to “get after it” every day.

What are your goals for this season?

Cohen: This season, I want to elevate my game and get to the next level. I have specific goals like improving my footwork and agility, getting multiple shots on the net every game, maintaining a positive +/- average, being a part of special teams, and strengthening my offensive abilities. It’s also my goal to gain more confidence on the ice and be able to perform in important situations and under pressure. In general, I want to do whatever I can to make my team better and continue being a good teammate. I know my coaches and team could help me get closer to my goals. Off the ice, I am always looking for how to become a better teammate and leader. Even as a 3rd former, I want to play an important role on the team and really strengthen my communication skills, with the help of my captains and older teammates. As a team, it’s our goal to win championships and get better every day. We expect to win every game, even though we might not, but we hold high expectations and set goals for ourselves as individuals and as a team.

What do you hope to accomplish in the future?

Cohen: As an individual, I hope to continue my athletic and academic career through university. I want to continue to pursue my passion. One of my goals was to play prep hockey and now my next long-term goal is to play college hockey. While being an elite athlete, I also want to maintain a high GPA and be an active community member as much as possible. I’m not sure what my career path will look like, but I want to help as many people as I can in my life. In just a month, our team hopes to win the Exeter and the Dexter Southfield tournaments in December.
We can’t wait to see Cohen grow and flourish in the Hill community and are excited for the talent she brings to Hill.