St. Scholastica's Jordan 'Jordy' Klimek adds spark to Saints lineup

• Jordan 'Jordy' Klimek

Jordan 'Jordy' Klimek

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Seeing Jordan ’Jordy’ Klimek on the ice now, it’s hard to imagine she could ever dislike hockey, but she was not a fan of the sport the first time she played it.

“I started playing when I was five years old,” she said. “I remember absolutely hating my first practice. My sister and I were both in tears because our feet hurt so bad.”

Nelson and her sister got involved in hockey mainly because her father played college hockey at the Air Force Academy. But now, the St. Scholastica sophomore couldn't imagine her life without hockey and has had countless hockey memories, but her fondest memory was just last season as a Saint.

“My greatest hockey moment would have to be playing in my first collegiate game last year,” Klimek said. “I knew since I was little that I wanted to play college hockey and to finally reach that moment was extremely emotional.” When she took the ice for the first time in the Saints blue and gold, her parents, grandparents, members of her high school team and coaching staff were all there to watch.

Klimek was recently named the women’s Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) Player of the Week and she said she was very honored by this title.

Going into the holiday season break, Klimek and her team is sitting at a record of 7-2-1 and is possibly exceeding expectations they had set for themselves.

“We all knew coming into this season that we would still be one of the youngest teams in the conference. However, we also noticed right away that we were very talented,” Klimek said. “We all want to be the very best, and a lot of it also has to do with coach (Jackie) MacMillan. She doesn’t settle for anything less than our absolute best. She loves winning, and that attitude has become infectious on the team”

Klimek also contributes the team's success to how close-knit the team is. She believes that when a team has bonded its members play their best.

At the midway point of the season, Klimek was pleased with the way her season has gone as well. “I am pretty happy with my play this year too,” she said. “I am playing with a lot more confidence this year, which has helped a lot. I’m just trying to do the little things to help make my team successful. A lot of my personal success has come from just being in the right spot at the right time.”

Klimek's hard work shows up not only on the ice, but in the classroom as well. She is currently working toward her double major in communications and public relations.

As a child, Klimek was always active in sports. In high school she played soccer, hockey and golf. “I stayed with hockey because of the physical aspect,” she said. “It is unlike any other sport in the world. I have such a passion for it. It really is a little weird how much I love it. But nothing in the world makes me happier than playing an awesome sport with my best friends.”

Her advice for young kids, especially young girls playing hockey today was pretty simple.

"I would just tell girls to work hard," Klimek said. "Winning is fun, but it doesn't come just because you want to win. You have to work hard away from the rink to get the personal- and team results that everyone wants."

Klimek gives credit to her parents for allowing her success in hockey and attend St. Scholastica. She said they had to make sacrifices and she is beyond thankful.

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