Bergey’s Buick GMC
SOL SHSHL Player of the Week
This recognition is sponsored by Bergey’s Buick GMC. Athletes are chosen based on nomination of coaches, and the recipient must be a positive presence on the ice and a credit to the game. Consideration also is given to the student-athlete’s standing in the school and community.
Senior Kate Winstanley is a goalie for North Penn’s varsity team. A member of the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, the Knights’ goalie is 4-2 this season with a .904 save percentage. Winstanley is one of two goalies that has stepped into the position this season after the graduation of a pair of veteran goalies from last year’s squad. An honor roll student, Winstanley – after a gap year of playing tier 1 hockey for the Jr. Flyers - will continue her ice hockey career at Norwich University, majoring in nursing or sports medicine.
Note from the coach:
“She often has practices on Monday nights and sometimes goes right from school to her travel practice and to our school practice, doing homework in between,” coach Kevin Vaitis said. “From a commitment level, other than being away for tournaments, she’s been very committed to the team and our practices.
“She’s a super kid to coach. She’s done a nice job stepping in on the team and has played well for us in some recent games and came up big. She’s very sound when it comes to the goalie position, always staying squared to the shooter. We’ve been fortunate that if we’ve done a good job in front of her where she’s able to see the shot – she’s always in a good position to make the saves.
“The (guys) all look at her as another player on the team and one of our two goalies. There have been times where she’s definitely picked us up in some of the games recently, and the players have fed off of that. A goalie making a big save in a crucial game can sometimes have the play go the other way and lead to a goal.”
About Kate:
Best memory playing high school hockey: Getting a 47-shot shutout last season to beat the New Jersey Rockets 4-0 in the Atlantic District championship game, sending us to the National Championship..
Part of the game I enjoy most: The competitiveness of the game and the people I’ve met through it.
How did you get involved in hockey? I started skating lesson around the age of three and started hockey at four or five.
My role models is: My mom
Music on iPod: Little bit of everything but mostly country.
Favorite food: Sushi.
Favorite class: Preschool Lab.
Future plans: After a gap year to play another year of tier 1 hockey for the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, I will be attending Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. I will be playing ice hockey for the women’s NCAA team, majoring in nursing or sports medicine and Army ROTC. After college, I plan to serve in the Army as an active duty soldier and eventually work as a critical care nurse in the Army.
Four people I’d invite to a dinner party: Braden Holtby, Jim Craig, Robin Williams and Michelle Obama.
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