Saroya Tinker is a former Division I hockey player at Yale University. In her four years, Saroya scored 5 goals and had 27 assists as a defender. Originally from Oshawa, Ontario, Saroya also played for the Canadian U18 National Team. After Yale, she played in the Premier Hockey Federation for the Toronto Six and won an Isobel Cup. She is also a co-founder of the Black Girl Hockey Club. Today, Saroya walked us through what her recruiting journey was like as a Division I hockey player!

Why hockey?

Growing up, I was always interested in competitive sports. Whether it be gymnastics, soccer, basketball, or hockey, I wanted to be the best at whatever I put my mind to. As I got older, I narrowed down my sport to hockey. I'm not sure whether it was the feeling of freedom as I carved into the ice, the grit and toughness it takes to play, or the fact that I wanted to prove that women can play a predominantly male sport as well. All I knew was that I loved the game, and I wanted to be the greatest. 

What was your youth hockey journey like?

Although I had skated before, I started my hockey career at the age of six playing in a male house league. After playing with the guys for two years, I switched to girl's hockey playing at the A level. Improving immensely, I was able to make the jump to AA. Having played AA girls hockey for many years, I was able to skip my second year of midget AA hockey and play at the junior level in the PWHL- Provincial Women's Hockey League.

I played hockey over the course of the winter season and I also played summer hockey with a traveling team called East Coast Selects. The summer team organization gave me the opportunity for top-level exposure as I was coached by former NCAA DI female hockey players and was able to travel the world doing so. We played in the World Selects Hockey Tournament in both Germany and Italy. Playing hockey year-round helped improve my game each year that I played.

What was your recruiting process like?

Playing hockey all year round, dryland training, and keeping my grades up, became tiring. With this said, I must say that I enjoyed the challenge. I did not mind being on the ice and in the gym five days a week, nor did I stray from my competitive mindset when it came to staying at the top of my class.

As I got older and discovered that I would not be making it to the NHL, I began to look at the NCAA DI women's programs as well as the Canadian National Team Program. Before I contacted schools, I received my first email at the beginning of my sophomore year of high school. From that point on, as I attended more recruiting tournaments with my team, the more emails I received. I also made sure to communicate effectively with the coaches who had reached out to me. 

Why Yale?

Having been in contact with multiple coaches and visiting upwards of eight to ten schools, I had not gotten the feeling of home yet. Then it happened when I arrived at Yale University in the spring of my sophomore year, and from the moment I stepped on campus, I knew this was where I belonged. With a verbal commitment offer on the table and a ten-hour drive home, I had plenty of time to discuss with my parents how I felt about the school. After hours of discussions and consideration, I called Yale University's hockey coach a week after I got home to commit. I verbally committed to Yale, and I could not have been happier. With great joy and excitement to become a Yale Bulldog and wear the blue and white, I knew that I must keep working hard. 

Would you change anything about your recruiting process?

Now, looking back at the process, I regret nothing. I found my second home, and I wouldn't wouldn't change it for the world. I felt a great sense of accomplishment as I had reached my goals and followed my dream of playing NCAA Division I hockey. Whether you are a student-athlete at one of the greatest athletic schools in the county or your team finishes dead last, in the end, it matters that you share a sense of pride for playing for your school. Always remember the hard work it took you to pull that jersey over your head and represent your school ever so proudly.

Image Credit: Yale Athletics