RED DEER – This month’s Alumni Spotlight focuses on Tarryn Hemmingway, formerly of the Grande Prairie Storm.
Tarryn began minor hockey in her hometown of Grande Prairie on a mixed U9 team, where she would continue playing mixed hockey until her second year of U11 when she switched into the female stream. when she was five years old. After learning to skate at five years old, she would play mini sticks with her brother and sister and watch Hockey Night in Canada with her Father and Grandfather every Saturday night.
Homegrown in Grande Prairie, Tarryn played her entire minor hockey career in the same city. She played two seasons with the U18 AAA GP Storm and one season with the U18A GP Knights. Instead of pursuing university hockey, Tarryn stayed in Grande Prairie to begin her education degree, which she would go on to finish through the University of Alberta in 2016. She also played senior women’s hockey for the Grovedale Vipers.
In her final year of university, Tarryn began coaching the GP U13B team as an assistant, before moving on to coach the U13A female team the following year and became co-head coach the next season. She took over as coach of the U15 AA PCFAC Storm in 2018, where she is still coaching today.
“Having a good work ethic and being a team player got me through to playing at a higher level. Working with others is an important skill when you enter the work force. I realized that you cannot teach those intangibles and those are important when picking a team,” said Tarryn.
There are many memories of playing and coaching hockey for Tarryn, but one that sticks out the most is playing in the 2008 Alberta Winter Games in Leduc, where she played alongside her sister. She also got to experience the 2020 Alberta Winter Games in Airdrie, where she was an assistant coach.
“I love the friendships and the memories you make during the bus trips, team dinners, in the hotel rooms. I also love the big moments in games when anyone on the ice can make a difference,” said Tarryn.
In her life outside of hockey, Tarryn has been teaching in Grovedale for the past five years after completing her education degree.
From a young age, Tarryn has been involved in the game of hockey, and her passion continues as she gives back to the game as a coach. Her advice to young players is simple: be yourself, because everyone is unique in the way they learn, interact with people, and grow.