Ava Assinewai '24 Recruiting Profile

I am a proud Indigenous Female from Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve on Manitoulin Island. I grew up playing Boys Rep hockey on Manitoulin Island until Minor Peewee where I then played AA Girls Hockey for the Sudbury Lady Wolves, from there I moved to North Bay and finished out my U18 AA years.  I affiliated with the North York U22 Elite team in my final year where I played 4 games capturing 2 Goals and picking up 2 Assists.

I represented Team Ontario in 2022 at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Membertou NS where my team won silver. I was a top forward in the tournament. I represented Team Ontario again in 2023 in Winnipeg MB where my team won Gold.  I captained the team in 2024 where we went undefeated capturing a 2nd straight Gold in Grande Prairie AB.

My coaches would say I am a very defensive forward, known for being smart, aggressive, and a quick two-way skater. I feel I am a strong presence on the ice with a high hockey IQ. My role has always been to be a great playmaker and I pride myself on making others around me better, however I am taking on more of goal scoring role on my new team and am loving it.

I am a true student-athlete as I currently hold a 3.8 GPA in the Grade 12 Academic Program at Chippewa Secondary School in North Bay. School is very important to me and one of my strength is prioritizing school and hockey. I have aspirations of playing Division 1 Hockey for a great American School in 2025.