Skyron Women’s Varsity hockey is off to its best start in program history. After the 6-0-0 start, this team has surpassed any expectations this team may have had. Skyron is dominating its opponents by a 49-7 margin, a +42 goal differential through the first six contests. In its last game before the holiday break, Skyron laid 50 shots on Pioneer, while just surrendering nine,  winning the game 3-1.

“We are a very fast and skilled team that plays with passion on every shift,” head coach Paul Dionne said. “Each player puts the team first.”

Just based on the staggering goal differential alone, you can tell this team can score. And score in bunches. The top line of Sophomore Julianna Heung (7 goals, 9 assists, 16 points), Senior Ava Heung (10 goals, 10 assists, 20 points) and Junior Khaleela Hodge (12 goals, 10 assists, 22 points) all average over two points per game and lead Skyron’s in dominant offensive attack.

“We are fortunate to have several snipers on the team who could single-handedly dominate a game individually,” Dionne said. “But that is not how our forwards play. We rely on speed, passing and team play in all zones.”

Special teams has also been a strong suit for Skyron, especially the penalty kill. The power play has been mediocre, as Skyron has only scored once on the man advantage, but they haven’t needed to with how dominant they’ve been five-on-five.

“As a coaching staff we’ve introduced and are using only one power play system so they can master that first before moving on to others,” Dionne said. “I think our penalty killing has been tremendous this season.”

Despite this being a combined team, this is an incredibly tight-knit group. Players know each other from growing up and playing together in the Amateur Hockey Association. Most of the girls played in the same system. As they get to high school, the girls naturally split into the different parts of the Ann Arbor district.

“We are a tight-knit group, from players down to coaches,” Dionne said. “We all share the goal of teaching and learning the game of hockey and being successful not only on the ice but off the ice-academically and as a person. There’s something special about high school girls hockey. I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

This is the best team that the Skyron program has ever had, and they might not know it. Especially after back-to-back mediocre seasons–one of which being the COVID season. 

“It was important to me that they realize how good they are, but to keep it in perspective as well,” Dionne said. “There’s a balancing act with telling them ‘you guys are the best girls high school hockey team in the state of Michigan. And they’re looking at me like oh, wait what? I said no seriously.”

With five players in double digit points through six games, eight averaging over a point per game (two of which averaging three points per game) and a goalie in Senior Monique Dionne (Skyline) that’s only allowed eight goals in six games, with a goals against average of 1.15 and a .837 save percentage, it’s easy to see why this team could content for the state title come March.

“This is the year.” Dionne said. “There is no doubt that we have a chance to win the state title. And that’s been our ultimate prize.”

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