Kelli Mackey ’20, one of Women’s hockey’s 3 captains, scored her first three goals of the season in a 6–1 win against SUNY Potsdam on Saturday, Dec. 7, for her first career hat trick. One of them was the game winner, making her total game-winning goals at Hamilton three. In the 2018–19 season, Mackey finished with two goals and eight assists.
Hometown:
Pittsburgh, P.A.
Position:
Defense.
Favorite Professional Athlete:
Kris Letang (of the Pittsburgh Penguins).
How did you get introduced to hockey:
My younger brother started to play ice hockey after we moved to Pittsburgh from California. My parents had us both on the ice, but at the time I was doing figure skating, and my brother was playing hockey. My dad has always been a big hockey fan when he was a child. One night at my brother’s skate practice I saw a flyer for an all-girls team. That night, I convinced my dad into letting me try out for the team and I loved it! I switched to hockey when I was seven years old.
What is your favorite thing to do on campus besides your sport?
My favorite thing to do on Hamilton’s campus besides my sport is to eat Diner with all of my friends! I also love waalking through the Glen in the fall.
What attracted you to Hamilton’s hockey program?
I really wanted to go to a school where I could focus equally on academics and athletics. A big reason I came to Hamilton was to help build a women’s hockey program and try to compete for a NESCAC Championship and NCAA Championship. I really wanted to be apart of building a foundation and Hamilton gave me that chance, while also giving me a great academic experience.
What was the toughest obstacle to overcome during your athletic career?
Two years ago, I broke my wrist in my third game. I had to get surgery and missed the entire rest of the season. It was really hard to not play with my team, but I was able to be apart of the team in other ways off the ice. I had to work really hard in physical therapy to come back the next season, but getting hurt really helped me to appreciate hockey and the Hamilton program.
What has been your favorite sports moment at Hamilton?
My favorite sports memory is when we swept Middlebury (at Middlebury) my first year at Hamilton.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I am looking forward to going to practice every day with my best friends and enjoying the little moments and all of the laughs we have, whether it is in the locker room, on the bench, or on the bus. I am really excited for our team to get the chance to compete for Hamilton Women’s ice hockey’s first NESCAC and NCAA Championships.
If you weren’t on the hockey team, what Hamilton sports team would you want to be on and why?
I would love to be on the women’s basketball team, because I am a huge college basketball fan! I love to watch March Madness, and I follow a lot of college teams throughout the season. I never got to play basketball growing up, because it conflicted with hockey.
