Willow Darling '28 Recruiting Profile

I’m a devoted and hard-working high school sophomore. I’ve been skating since fourth grade and playing hockey since fifth. After my first skating lesson, I was hooked. And once I picked up a stick in my first official hockey lesson, I knew right then and there that’s where my passion was. Ever since, I’ve been committed to the game, and I hope to someday play in the PWHL.

My love for hockey started at home. My dad played as a teenager and would always tell me stories about playing lake hockey with his brothers. He watched the Pittsburgh Penguins any time they played, so naturally, I started watching games with him. At first, I didn’t understand the rules, but I understood that I loved the game. In fourth grade, my teacher gave me a flyer for a free Learn to Skate lesson. I brought it home and begged my mom to take me. After lots of reminding, she finally did. That’s where everything began.

Hockey has taught me that I’m stronger than I ever thought I was—physically and mentally. I played co-ed hockey through 14U Bantam, and I was usually the only girl in the locker room. It was intimidating. I tried to join conversations, but most of the time, the other players ignored me. I had one good friend on the team, but we ended up getting split up due to different ages and skill levels. Even though it was hard, I learned to push through and not let being different keep me from doing what I love.

I’m always open to feedback, no matter who it comes from. Whether it’s on the ice or off, I want to know how I can get better. I like hearing different opinions, especially when I’m working on improving something, hockey-related or not. I’ve found that being open to criticism is one of the best ways to grow.

Outside of hockey, I also have a huge passion for theater. My first experience with theater was when I went to see Grease with my grandma and her friend. After that, I always wanted to be on stage, but I was too nervous to try. In eighth grade, I finally auditioned for the school musical and I got a pretty important role! That’s when I really fell in love with performing. In my freshman year, my theater director told us something before opening night that really stuck with me: “What we have, we give. What we keep is lost forever.” I think about that a lot. Since my passion for theater is here to stay, I will be studying Mechanical Engineering in hopes of going into the stage designing world of Broadway.

In March 2025, I was honored as my school’s Freshman Artist of the Month. That meant a lot to me, especially because I’ve been trying hard to balance both theater and sports. It’s taught me how to manage my time and stay committed to everything I care about. I’ve also made honor roll many times, including high honor roll, and I work hard in the classroom just like I do on the ice and on stage.