Zuchotzki builds confidence with Huskies defence

“They’ve helped me start shooting instead of looking for that pass, which is why I think I’m finding a lot of success now,” she said.

Zuchotzki’s road to U Sports women’s hockey began in the village of Dorintosh, Sask., about 325 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon, where she grew up on the family’s grain and livestock farm.

At an early age, Zuchotzki’s parents enrolled her in a local CanSkate program. She laced up in figure skates until a friend told her, at eight years old, to try hockey.

“It’s almost like I fell in love with it. It was like, ‘This is what I want to do for the rest of my life, or however long I can go,'” she said.

“You talk to a lot of players and they say it runs in the family. And then I’m like, ‘Ah, no. I just decided one day, this is what I’m going to do.’”

Zuchotzki said her parents were – and continue to be – very supportive of her hockey career.

The second oldest of four kids, she paved the way for her younger brother, now 16, to play hockey in their hometown, while her six-year-old sister just started the sport.

“I was actually the first one to introduce hockey to the family,” she said.

Nine-year-old Kendra Zuchotzki poses for her official hockey photo as a member of the Meadow Lake Stampeders. (Kendra Zuchotzki/submitted)

Zuchotzki played for the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame Hounds out of Wilcox, Sask. in the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League from 2016 to 2019-20.

She joined the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s hockey program for 2020-21, a season that was eventually cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021-22, the five-foot-four defender has played in all 18 regular season games so far, notching three goals and three assists for six points.

“When you have a shot like that, why pass to anyone else?” – Steve Kook, Huskies women’s hockey head coach

Zuchotzki’s breakout night helped lead the Huskies to their largest margin of victory – an 8-1 win at home against the University of Calgary Dinos on Nov. 20, 2021.

That night she scored her first U Sports career goal just four minutes into the opening frame, followed by a second power play marker midway through the second period.

“She’s one of few in the league who can shoot like that … when you have a shot like that, why pass to anyone else?” Huskies head coach Steve Kook said after the game.

Defensive dynamic duo

In the second half of the 2021-22 season, Zuchotzki has solidified a defensive partnership with third-year Isabella Pozzi, which has lead to consistent starts for the pair.

“(Pozzi) is a really good player. I was quite intimidated at first because it was like, ‘I don’t want to get in her way, I don’t want to mess up for her’,” Zuchotzki said.

The rookie praised her veteran counterpart for having a “simple” play style and knowing where to be at all times – compliments Pozzi humbly accepted.

“I was in her spot too when I was in my first year, and I was so intimidated by our older defenceman. But they helped me so much,” Pozzi said.

“I just want to be able to do that for her as well. Just building her confidence and helping her not be afraid to make mistakes out there. Play how she knows how to play.”

Huskies defensive partners Kendra Zuchotzki (left) and Isabella Pozzi (right) talk during warm up in Calgary, Alta. on Dec. 4, 2021. (Daniella Ponticelli/HuskieFAN)

Off the ice, Zuchotzki is currently in her second year at the University of Saskatchewan studying psychology.

“Growing up, people would always come to me if they needed help with stuff,” she said.

“I always want to help people. And if I’m good at this, why don’t I carry it on and help others?”

Zuchotzki lives in Saskatoon with teammates Meg and Mallory Dyer, who previously old HuskieFAN their friendship feels more like family.

Up next for Zuchotzki and the Huskies is a road trip to Winnipeg for a final regular season meeting with the University of Manitoba Bisons, who sit back two points in the standings from Saskatchewan.

Riding a five-game win streak, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies are in sole position of second place in the Canada West Conference with 11 wins, five losses and two overtime losses for 24 points on the season.

The University of British Columbia is in first place with 26 points.

The top six teams head into the post-season, with the top two getting byes to host the Canada West semifinals on March 4-6.

Third and fourth places will host quarterfinal best-of-three series on Feb. 25-28.

All Huskies women’s hockey games are broadcast live on the HuskieFAN app and at huskiefan.ca.

by Daniella Ponticelli

Zuchotzki builds confidence with Huskies defence

Defensive dynamic duo

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