One of NAIT's very own is an Olympic hopeful for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games. This December, first-year goalie Ella Howard will be representing Great Britain in the national women's ice hockey team's pre-Olympic qualifiers.
Hockey has always been a significant part of Ella's life. As a child, Ella frequently visited relatives in her mother's home country of Finland, where she spent time on the ice. Back in her hometown of Milton Keynes, England, Ella played for the local MK Lightning, joining their "learn to play" program with her brother.
Her skill caught the attention of North American teams after a strong performance with the British under-18s national team. The interest led her to Canada, where she joined the Provincial Women's Hockey League (now known as the Ontario Women's Hockey League Elite), playing for the Bluewater Hawks. She has since divided her time between countries, returning to play for Britain when possible. A career highlight for her was becoming a world champion after winning the gold medal in the 2022 IIHF Championship.
This also isn't her first year on the pre-Olympic squad. She previously played in the qualifying tournament for the 2022 Beijing Olympics, though the team ultimately lost to South Korea.
To qualify for 2026, the team must first succeed in a series of qualification rounds. The first of these will take place this December, and if Team GB wins, they will move one step closer to securing a spot in the Games.
Olympic participation is decided through the IIHF hockey rankings, where the top six teams, plus the host country, are given automatic entry. There are three additional spots for the winners of the qualifier tournaments. The competition will undoubtedly be fierce as 24 countries vie for the remaining vacancies.
In the weeks leading up to the tournament, Ella is excited to work with the staff and her teammates again. "It's always a really great group of people to be around. And the game's always intense, which is fun." she said.
Preparation for the competition is rigorous, but nothing her years of experience haven't taught her to handle. At NAIT, Ella is on the ice every day, practicing with the women's hockey team to hone her skills.
Additionally, she works out in the gym two to three times a week to ensure her physical conditioning is at its peak. Mental preparation is also key to her success, and she uses visualization and affirmations to stay focused and calm under pressure. Before the tournament, she will also attend a training camp in the UK to fine-tune her game and team dynamics.
Representing Great Britain on the international stage is an incredible honor, and Ella embraces the joy that comes with it rather than feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the eyes on her. "I wouldn't say [I feel] pressure. I'd say it's more like intense excitement. I personally am someone who plays better when they're just enjoying themselves, and I try and bring that to any game," she said.
She understands the unique opportunity it is to be able to represent her country on the international stage, and she never takes it for granted. "It's not really a feeling you ever get used to. Even when you win – it's great to win – but the best feeling is when you're on the blue line, everyone's got their arms around each other, singing the national anthem. It's hard to match that." She said, reflecting on her previous journey with the team. This sense of team solidarity is part of the pull of the game for her.
While she enjoys the thrill of an exciting match, she is careful not to get carried away. "I don't like to ride the wave of emotions in the game," she said, speaking to her strengths as a player. She prefers to be a grounding presence to her team, anchoring them with an unwavering calmness. This composure in high-pressure situations makes her a reliable and reassuring presence on the ice.
Her strength as a goalie lies also in her dedication to improvement. Her mantra is simple – be calm and be quick. "My skating is something I work on every day," she said. That split-second of speed can make all the difference in her games, so she is always striving to be better than yesterday – not just for herself but for her teammates as well.
Regardless of the outcome of December's tournament, Ella is thankful for the opportunity and is deeply appreciative of the community she has found at NAIT.
"Joining NAIT has been really great for my development as a player, but it's also an amazing community to be in," she said in conclusion. "And obviously, it's great when people attend our games. So if anyone's looking for something to do, come watch women's hockey play."
As Ella works towards her Olympic dreams, the Ooks will be cheering her on throughout her journey.