Lady Ducks standout Yovetich decides on Northeastern By Brian McDonough
Provincial Women’s Hockey League before beginning her college career in Hockey East in the fall of 2020. ily Yovetich, a defenseman on the Anaheim Lady “I loved the (Northeastern) coaches (head coach Ducks’ 16U AAA team, recently committed to attend Dave Flint and assistants Nick Carpenito and Jeff and play her NCAA Division I hockey at Northeastern Pellegrini), too, and was blown away by the campus in University following her youth downtown Boston,” she said. and junior careers. “It’s a great hockey city to say This past season, Yovetich the least.” helped lead Anaheim to the Recognized for her skills Pacific District championship and smarts, Carpenito and in its division while punching Pellegrini first scouted Yoveits ticket to the USA Hockey tich at a tournament in ToronNational Championships. to after her final Pee Wee sea“I’m very excited to play son with the Jr. Kings where at Northeastern,” said Yovethey were also impressed tich, who grew up playing for with her physical prowess. both the Lady Ducks and Los “The last few years comAngeles Jr. Kings. “It’s a trepeting and getting the type of mendous hockey school with exposure our program offers a great tradition, and it’s cool has been vital in her recruitthey play in one of the oldest ment to some very strong Dirinks in North America (Matvision I schools,” said McGarthews Arena).” rigle. “Lily had a sweet spot “Lily is a powerful player for Northeastern way back as and brings a dynamic game a 13-year-old, but it took sevto the ice day in and day eral trips, along with scouts out,” said Lady Ducks direcand coaches watching her tor Kathy McGarrigle. “That play, to make that a reality. Lily Yovetich, who grew up playing for both the Anaheim mentality is one of the things Lady Ducks and Los Angeles Jr. Kings, plans to begin “Her level of consistenthat makes her special and her NCAA Division I career at Northeastern University in cy and the support she got prepared her for the level of the fall of 2020. Main Photo/Scott Eckstien - particularly from (the Lady competition she’ll see in an few years playing Divi- Ducks’ primary NCAA/prep school liaison) Caroline sion I.” Marchant - helped make her NCAA opportunity come A sophomore in high school, Yovetich plans to grad- to fruition.” uate in 2019, and then play a year of junior in Canada’s “It’s been a great experience playing for the Lady
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Ducks and I’m so thankful for the opportunity,” said Yovetich. “The level of competition and exposure they provide is off the charts, and the support we get from Kathy and Caroline, both on and off the ice, is second to none.” Yovetich is also quick to credit many of her Jr. Kings coaches for her development - both as a player and person - on her way to earning the opportunity to compete at the highest level of women’s college hockey. Among them Robbert McDonald, who mentored Yovetich during her Pee Wee AA season in 2012-13 in preparation for her Pee Wee AAA and Bantam Minor AAA seasons under the direction of coaches Shawn Pitcher, Rob Blake and Nelson Emerson. In addition, she gained invaluable experience under the tutelage of Lady Ducks coaches Todd Marchant, Jennifer Friedman and Laura Veharanta. “I’m so thankful for all my teammates and coaches with the Jr. Kings and Lady Ducks,” said Yovetich. “I’m super fortunate to have been taught by such amazing people.” Yovetich - the second girl from the Jr. Kings program to earn a NCAA Division I opportunity (the Lady Ducks have moved dozens on to D-I); she joins Boston College recruit Cayla Barnes (this year a senior defenseman at New Hampshire’s New Hampton School and also a former Lady Duck) - is also excited to witness the continued success of the burgeoning LA Lions girls program; the Los Angeles Kings-backed club just completed its second season to rave reviews. “It’s awesome,” she said. “With the help of the Kings, along with such a dedicated group of coaches and support staff, it won’t be too long until one or more of those girls get the chance to play college hockey, too.”