The semester may have started a couple of weeks ago, but the real excitement is about to begin: NAIT's women's hockey team kicks off its season this Friday at home against the Olds Broncos at 6 PM. 

Each semester, the team sets a goal to grow not only as athletes but also as individuals, striving to be the best versions of themselves. Still, if you ask them their ultimate objective, the answer is simple: to be the best and last-standing team all the way through March.

This season marks the youngest roster that Head Coach Brendan Jensen has led during his tenure, which means plenty of fresh faces on the ice. With youth comes energy, and the team is eager to learn the culture and team spirit that define the NAIT Ooks.

Like any student-athlete, the players must find balance. For this group, that means performing at a high level on the ice while also managing their academics and personal lives effectively. The best way to maintain this balance is with a strong mindset, seeing every challenge as an opportunity to improve. Coach Jensen reinforces this with three guiding principles: "Live in the moment, relish the competitions, and dare to chase perfection." His message is clear: focus on the present instead of what might have been, embrace challenges as valuable experiences, and always aim high without fearing failure.

Armed with this mindset, the Ooks are ready to face the season's toughest tests, including the defending champions from Lakeland College. They know obstacles will come, but their strength lies in facing them together, making a plan, executing as a team, and lifting each other to their highest potential.

One thing is sure: challenges don't break the NAIT Ooks, they build them. With the talent and determination this team brings, the season ahead presents an opportunity to showcase their discipline, athleticism, and growth every step of the way.