Former Mustangs standout Anderson decides on college future with Colorado State commitment
With the 2021-22 season being the first year for the Colorado 14ers girls hockey program, Ashley Anderson wanted to make an impact on the 19U team.
Mission accomplished.
Last week, the Littleton, Colo., native announced she will attend and play college hockey next season at Colorado State University.
“On a personal level, I wanted to bring a lot of leadership to this team and support my team in a positive way,” said Anderson. “I have been playing for a long time and I wanted to bring my experiences to them for them to grow, too. On a team standpoint, coming from different organizations, it was a struggle, but we also grew a lot as the year went on.
“With new coaches and new teammates, it made it a challenge for me to step up as a player. I grew in many ways, and I feel there is so much more growth to come for future seasons.”
Now with her college career set to go, Anderson is excited for the future.
“I actually met Troy Watts in High Plains when the Polar Bears went to USA Hockey Nationals the end of my junior year, and I found out that he was the CSU coach during the regular season,” explained Anderson. “He got to see me play and I really enjoyed playing on a team with him. CSU is somewhere I felt comfortable to be since it is close to home but also far enough where I can grow as an individual.
“What was appealing about the school was that it was close to home and that they had girls hockey that was going to push me to a new level. I will possibly be majoring in graphic design or psychology or just do some classes to see what I like.”
As one of the 14ers first college commitments, Anderson said that fact gives tremendous hope for the future.
“It’s an honor to be one of the seniors that is part of the 14ers program for its first year running,” said Anderson. “I hope that this shows the younger girls that anything is possible if you work hard for it.”
Growing up, Anderson said she originally went to learn-to-skate sessions and “then I saw girls coming in with hockey sticks and bags and I wanted to be just like them.”
When she was nine years old, Anderson joined the Colorado Select and played there through the 2020-21 season. In eighth grade, she double-rostered with the Select and New Mexico Mustangs.
Looking ahead, Anderson has attainable goals, both on and off the ice.
“My short-term goals are that I will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or something like that and have an amazing four-plus years of college,” said Anderson. “My long-term goal is to come back to youth hockey as a coach for the future girls and have a good job and a happy life with a husband and a family of my own.”
— Matt Mackinder
(February 25, 2022)