Loyola Academy sophomore Kate Kelly, a sophomore in her first season skating for the Ramblers’ girls’ team, is an aggressive defenseman who often shuts down plays before the forwards can do anything with the puck. And her physical play also silences foes

Kelly, 15, who lives in Chicago, played for the Windy City Storm last season. She formerly played for the Heartland Nationals, Bulldogs, Jets and CYA. She has skated at the U15 National Camp and Central District Regional Camp.

“I think we’re going to do great this year. We have a good group of freshmen, including my sister, Quinn, the goalie. We also have some strong seniors who will be great leaders.”

Kelly, in uniform No. 88, has been aided along her ice path by her time in the water and on the track. She competes on Loyola’s track & field and swimming teams.

As a seventh and eighth grader, Kelly qualified for the state meet in the high jump, and in hurdles as an eighth grader. Plus, swimming for her club has led her to qualifying for state in multiple events.

She competed at sectionals for track as a freshman.

“Winning the frosh/soph division in the 100-meter breaststroke last year at conference and qualifying for state in the 100 breast and 200 breast for club and getting to compete at sectionals as a freshman for the 300 and 100 hurdles,” are personal highlights, she said. “Track makes me more explosive and quicker on the ice; swimming helps my endurance and upper body strength.

“Playing basketball in middle school helped me understand spacing and team play and helped me get a higher hockey IQ.

“Hockey helps my breaststroke kick and be stronger and (it) helps me be more explosive for track.”

Kelly said her goals for this season are multi-sport, too: to qualify for state in the 300 hurdles and get better making moves at the blue line.”

Slapshots With … Loyola Academy defenseman Kate Kelly

 Favorite NHL Team: New York Rangers

 Favorite NHL Player: Moritz Seider

 Favorite TV Show: Gilmore Girls

 Favorite Pre-game Meal: Eggs

 Favorite app: Snapchat

 Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Kurt Cobain

 Best High School Uniform (other than Loyola): Grizzlies

 Influences: “Coach Andrea has always encouraged me to ask questions, watch more hockey and always makes practices fun. She answers all my questions, even if I ask a thousand and it’s annoying. Coach Stefan has also always pushed me to do my best at practice and in games and has taught me almost everything I know about hockey.”

Off The Ice: Is a lifeguard at Lincolnwood Pool

Now Playing: Enjoys listening to 1990s grunge music

Long-term Goal: “I want to play D1 hockey.”