Growing up in the small town of Roblin, Hailey Hojnocki’s love for hockey began early, carving a path that would soon take her to incredible heights on the ice.
Her talent blossomed with Roblin Minor Hockey, and before long, she was skating circles around expectations. With growing confidence and an undeniable passion, Hailey set her sights on the elite level.
Starting with the Parkland Women’s Rangers and then joining the Yellowhead Chiefs in grade 10, Hailey’s skills kept soaring. But her big break came with an unexpected opportunity—an invite to play for Pilot Mound Academy’s U-18 team in grade 11. Trading comfort for ambition, Hailey packed her gear, said goodbye to home, and embraced a new adventure four hours away.
Pilot Mound Academy wasn’t just a team—it was a gateway to growth. Competing in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League and travelling across North America, Hailey made her mark, tallying 13 goals and 17 assists in just two seasons.
“It was too good to pass up,” Hailey shares. “Being on the ice and working out daily pushed me to new levels. It was challenging but absolutely worth it!”
Two years in the books and Hailey was thrilled with how she grew.
"It was insane how much I improved, practicing with my team every day and even during free skate," continued Hojnocki. "I developed so much faster being on the ice every day, we all pushed each other and that's important."
"Exceeded my expectations, I was not expecting to have that great of a season," commented Hojnocki. "I was very pleasantly surprised. I had some great teammates which is also a bonus."
With the Gray Owls this year, Hailey picked up right where she left off as she has 20 points. Her highlight so far was a three-goal, two-assist performance against the Western Predators less than a month ago.
"There are some days where I feel so confident in my abilities and sure of myself," said Hojnocki. "I just had a feeling going into that game that I was going to play well and I was able to do so. Sometimes performances like that happen and that was one of those days."
Hailey is on fire this season, with 20 points putting her just behind league leader Rayley Goetz, who sits at 24. The race to the top is heating up, and Hailey’s relentless determination and eye for the net make her a serious contender.
With the Gray Owls set to face the Northern Stars this Sunday, all eyes will be on Hailey to deliver another standout performance. Whether it’s lighting the lamp or creating plays, she’s proven time and again that she thrives under pressure.
Hailey hasn’t forgotten her roots, either.
“The support from everyone back in Roblin means the world to me,” she says. “It pushes me to keep striving for greatness.”
After making her debut in the league's all-star game last season, Hailey has gotten the nod again as she's now a two-time all-star.
"It's very special, it's nice to see that all of my hard work is paying off," ended Hojnocki. "Many great players play in this league so for me to be amongst an elite group, it's a great thing for me."