Erica DeDecker '25 Recruiting Profile

I started playing hockey when I was five years old and fell in love with the game, especially playing goalie. I play on the Quad city Lady blues 19u girls team. During the 2021-2022 season we were called the Quad city Ice Eagles. Up until fall of 2021 I played in Kitchener Ontario on a guys team. Both 7th and 8th grade year hockey got cut short due to Covid-19, so I was not able to go to any camps or practices but I would always try my best on my own. Every chance I get I am working on my game, in camps, leagues, and on my own. I coach younger players and goalies on how to skate and play the game of hockey. This happens a couple of times per week and I love it so much and want to continue to do it for as long as I can.

Hockey is a large part of my life and want it to continue to be a part of my future.  My goal is to be a goalie on a collegiate team, with the hope of playing professionally.  If that does not work out, I want to continue to be part of the game by becoming an athletic trainer for a hockey team or become a physical therapist to help other athletes. I would also be interested in being a photographer or a videographer for a sports team.

My biggest strengths is my ability to read the play before it happens And can forget and move on from a goal that had got scored on me and be ready for the next shot. I also have really fast reaction. I care more about the team and their success rather than my own. I am also very coachable. If I do good though I enjoy it and it helps me. Other than hockey I play track and tennis this helps me with my reaction and agility. 

I also have a strong faith in Jesus Christ and will be volunteering at my church very soon. I am also a part of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes.) At school, I am a leader for the Gray Matters Collective (mental health organization.) I am also a member of student council and writers club(Officer). Even though I am not in as many clubs as I would like to be, church, the Gray Matters, and FCA do take up a decent amount of my time. As well as sports and student council. I like to have a say in things at our school in hope that it will be a better place and that students have fun with all the activities we put on at my school. With that, I am also a Link Crew Leader. This is an organization to help the new freshman get acquainted with the school.  I also enjoy volunteering at the Colona food pantry and retirement homes, in my 3 years so far in high school I already have over 100 volunteer hours. Not to mention I have been volunteering since 6th grade. In my free time, I like to film and edit videos as well as play the piano. I am a big advocate for Jesus and mental health, I want the best for everyone. I hope that I will be on a college team doing what I love in a couple of years.