Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – With her linemate Makenna Schuttler gaining control of the puck in the corner, Mila Verbicky found an open spot in front of the net and waited for the pass she hoped would come.
It did, leading to the first overtime goal she's ever scored and a huge 3-2 win for the MacEwan Griffins women's hockey team over the Regina Cougars.
"I just saw the top left corner open, so I put it in," said the third-year Griffins forward of the Oct. 1 victory. "It was really fun. I've actually never scored in overtime before, so that was a fun experience for me."
It also signals an ever-expanding role for Verbicky, who is looking to contribute more offence for the Griffins in their second season in Canada West.
"I think for me it's more about taking on a role of play producer and well as a goal scorer," said the Delta Hockey Academy product. "Previously, I was more of a hard worker, a grinder and penalty kill kind of player.
"Now that I'm getting stronger and I'm more of a veteran on the team, I feel like I'm taking on a role of goal scoring and playmaking. I think we do need some more of that, so I'm trying my best to take on that role as well."
Verbicky will lead the Griffins into a weekend home series vs. UBC on Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (4 p.m., both Downtown Community Arena, Canada West TV).
The Thunderbirds will be a familiar foe for the Bowser, B.C. native who has friends on the team.
"I played with most of the girls on that team, so I'm pretty good friends with them," she said. "I grew up watching (the Thunderbirds). Even when I was younger, I was coached by a lot of previous players and their coaches, as well, in spring hockey.
"I do like playing against them because it's fun to play against your friends and go at each other. I'm really excited for this weekend, in general."
Verbicky is in the midst of her second season with the Griffins after transferring to MacEwan from Lethbridge after the Pronghorns women's hockey program folded.
Helping in that transition, she was able to have her brother Kobe Verbicky also in Edmonton for part of last season as he played 24 games for the Edmonton Oil Kings before being traded to Kamloops, where he currently plays.
"That was nice," she said. "If he needed something or if I needed something, he was there and I was there, so that was cool."
Mila Verbicky lines up for a faceoff against Mount Royal University last weekend (Joel Kingston photo).
Interim head coach Chris Leeming noted the impact Mila Verbicky is making this season for the Griffins comes from her high hockey IQ.
"One thing about her is she has great vision and she's a great skater," said Leeming. "She's really added the physical element to her game, too – in line with our style of play. And she's a really great teammate as well – her positivity helps facilitate the culture and mindset we are working towards.
"I think she's a cerebral player. She has good hockey IQ and everything we've thrown at them and what we're trying to accomplish as a group, she's picked it up really easy and has been able to execute."
As she works to put herself through university, Verbicky has a side business going as an online personal trainer. She's able to put her passion for fitness into action as she aims for a career in physiotherapy with a focus on working with athletes.
"I just started making programs for my friends and they really enjoyed them," she explained. "I thought 'why wouldn't I just do this at all times.' Then I thought online would be better because I'm a student. It's just easier for me to manage and easier for people to manage so they don't have to come in and see me all the time.
"It's been really good. I have a couple clients and I'm also helping out another small business online that's from northern B.C. I do that on the side, and it's been really nice to help people get strong. I'm really passionate about fitness."
Verbicky and the Griffins are coming into the weekend off a huge win over U SPORTS No. 3 Mount Royal University (4-2 last Saturday) – who were dropped to No. 7 after the loss – and will face the new No. 3 UBC this weekend.
"This will be another big weekend," said Leeming, whose 2-4-0 team will put their skills to the test against the 4-1-1 T-Birds, who are also the defending Canada West champions. "They're ranked near the top again.
"At the end of the day, we're really focusing on ourselves. If we direct our energy and attention to the details and habits in our game, supporting each other and being good teammates that's really where we found success against Mount Royal. We just want to keep building off of that and move things in the right direction."
