Shelby Ballendine, a 22-year-old student and athlete at the University of Lethbridge, has earned her second Athlete of the Week award of the season.
Ballendine, a bachelor of science student in kinesiology, plays right wing for the women’s hockey team, the Pronghorns.
Ballendine, in her fifth year with the Pronghorns, received the player of the week nod after scoring the winning goal during her final home game, giving the Pronghorns a win and a better outlook on playoffs.
Ballendine started playing hockey in Quesnel when she was five years old.
She played with the boys rep team until the first year of midget hockey when Ballendine began playing hockey with a girls team in Prince George, moving to Lethbridge five years ago.
Although her college hockey career is coming to an end, Ballendine has no plans of stopping there.
“I am planning on going to Switzerland to continue playing next year,” she said.
It won’t be the first time Ballendine has had the opportunity to play the sport in Europe, in fact, she has played hockey in one of Switzerland’s neighbouring countries before and is one of her favorite moments playing for Lethbridge.
“It was great having the opportunity to play in a tournament in Germany last year,” she said.
Ballendine has made quite an impact in Pronghorns hockey history, most notably topping the leading scorer list, contributing 38 goals and 35 assists in 118 career conference games.
Although she is focusing on hockey, Ballendine has always been active.
“Since I’ve been in university, I’ve played only hockey, however, when I was younger, I played as many sports as I could,” she said.
When asked who is her favorite NHL hockey player, Ballendine picks a player who is an inspiration to many.
“Alexander Ovechkin,” she replied.
“I love the excitement he has every time he scores a goal, he celebrates like it’s the first goal he’s ever scored.
“I love watching him play the game.”
And she’s not the only one in the family who enjoys the sport.
“Both my nephews play hockey in Quesnel along with both of my brothers-in-law,” Ballendine explained.
Receiving the Athlete of the Week award did not come without hard work, as Ballendine dedicated many hours to her sport.
“We practice five days a week, workout twice a week and play two games on the weekend,” she explained.
However, playing hockey hasn’t come without injury for Ballendine.
“I have had a concussion, high ankle sprain and surgery on my wrist,” she said.
When she isn’t busy practicing, training, playing and working on school work, Ballendine spends her spare time practicing other athletic skills.
“In my spare time, I love to snowboard and wakeboard,” she said.
Wherever Ballendine winds up, one thing is certain, she’ll take her love of the game with her.
“I love playing hockey because of the excitement of the game,” she said.
“I love the feeling you get when you’re in the zone and nothing can go wrong.”
Looking back, a few memories stick out for Ballendine as special.
“My favorite moments of being a Pronghorn were stealing the puck from Hayley Wickenheiser and putting it in the net and beating and sweeping the University of Alberta Pandas this year for the first time in 17 years.”
For now, Ballendine is looking into her future and focusing on the next chapter in her life.
“The thing I am looking forward to most in Switzerland is playing hockey competitively and touring the country.”
