Defenceman, Sawyer Norman of the AAA Sharks will be Alberta-bound next fall for the next chapter in her hockey journey. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

The next Chapter

AAA Sharks standout Norman commits to NAIT Ooks

Jan 26, 2023 | 5:00 AM

Flying Dust First Nation’s Sawyer Norman has announced her commitment to the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Ooks for the fall of 2023.

A fleet-of-foot, two-way defenceman, Norman is currently in her second full season of SFU18AAAHL (Sask Female U18 AAA), with the Battlefords Sharks, where she is tied for the club lead in scoring, with nine points in 20 games.

The 17-year-old said she’s looking forward to the opportunity ahead, to take her game to the postsecondary level, next fall.

“It’s one of my biggest accomplishments in hockey, and it feels really good to come from a [smaller] community and prove myself to everyone,” Norman said of the commitment. “As long as I’ve played hockey, I’ve always dreamt of being like my cousins and going to play University or College, so I’ve always had that dream.”

Norman said the decision to commit to NAIT came naturally after going for a tour of the campus to meet, and even skate with, members of the current team and coaching staff.

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“It was just a great school all around,” she said. “It’s a great facility, the schooling I want to take is there, and then the hockey is just such a positive. The girls were great and they really welcomed me, and the coaches made sure I had everything I needed, so it felt really good and welcoming to be there and that’s what I was looking for.”

On the classroom end of things, Norman intends to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and pursue an education in Occupational Health and Safety.

Head coach of the Battlefords AAA Sharks, Ricci Girolami, said he’s looking forward to seeing Norman continue to excel at the next level with her puck poise among the traits that will translate well to the next level.

“Sawyer’s calmness and patience has been key for us and she’s got a good shot, so she brings a lot of things to the team and we’ve relied on her on the backend a lot,” he said. “She’s done well, and the college she’s going to will suit her very well with the schooling she’s taking, so it’s nice she can continue on playing hockey and being a student.”

Norman will join a NAIT Ooks women’s hockey program that has proven itself as a force in recent years. Currently sitting atop the ACAC standings with a 9-1 record through 10 games, the Ooks women’s team won three straight ACAC championships from 2013-2015.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1