Scholarship winner battled her way to making an impact on the ice

Addyson Eckstein watched her younger brother learn to play from the stands, and with a little encouragement to try it out, she fell in love with the game of hockey.

Eckstein has been playing hockey since she was 8 years old. Throughout the years she has competed on many different club teams and has played every position on the ice, but in recent years she has competed for the Hilliard Hockey Club in the Ohio Scholastic Hockey League and skated at both center and wing.

For her dedication and love of the game, Eckstein was chosen the winner of this season's Blue Jackets High School Hockey Scholarship. Awarded each year by the Blue Jackets Foundation to help grow the game and recognize standouts in the Columbus community, winners have excelled in their commitment to hockey, in their leadership, and in their academic and extracurricular activities at their school.

When asked what the greatest lesson she has learned through playing hockey, Eckstein emphasized how important it is to have grit on and off the ice.

"Grit to me means being able to stand up again and keep fighting when the odds are not in your favor," Eckstein said. "Being a girl, and playing with boys twice my size, I know a thing or two about taking hits. What no one expects is for me to get back on my skates and keep moving. The importance of always getting back up teaches me that I will not succeed at everything on the first try, but I will not stop until I am satisfied.

"I've spent my entire senior hockey season with a torn hip labrum; however, grit and my love for the game have pushed me to continue to play through the physical pain (as well as the orthopedic surgeon's OK)."

Not only does Eckstein play hockey, she has also been a four-year letterwinner in field hockey at Hilliard Bradley High School. She plans on staying close to Columbus and attending Otterbein University in the fall where she will be studying pre-veterinary medicine.

She is not done with playing hockey just yet; she plans on competing in an adult hockey league throughout college.

"One of the main reasons I continue to suit up almost every day is to prove to myself and everyone else in the community that hockey is not just for boys," Eckstein said. "I believe playing hockey establishes that women are just as capable to perform well in body contact sports as men. I chose to play hockey because I truly believe hockey is for everyone."

The scholarship is not based solely on hockey, but also on character and accomplishments throughout high school. Applicants were evaluated on academic merit, sportsmanship, teamwork, volunteer work and passion for the game.

Eckstein checks every box. Along with her drive for the sport, she has a 4.3 GPA, participates in many clubs and committees at her school, is an official for Central Ohio Youth Hockey and volunteers her time between helping teach young girls about hockey and field hockey, among other things.

Winning the scholarship has been very fulfilling for Eckstein. Throughout her hockey career, she has had to deal with a lot of adversity on the ice, but her drive and love for the sport have helped her continue to push through the challenges.

"Winning the scholarship means that women competing in what many believe to be a 'men's sport' are capable of great accomplishments," she said. "No one should be underestimated, and everyone belongs to the game of hockey."