Pelham Varsity Ice Hockey has welcomed their newest superstar, sophomore Ava Karame. Karame will be the only girl on the varsity hockey team for the 2023-24 season. This glass-shattering event comes after Ava spent her freshman year as the only girl on the JV hockey team.
“JV was a great experience because you got to play at a level where the kids are still big and talented, but you have a little bit more time to make decisions,” said Karame. “And I think that really helped me figure out what to do with the puck and the basics.”
Starting hockey at age five, Karame grew up in the Pelham Learn-to-Skate and Learn-to-Play programs at the Ice Hutch. Encouragement from her dad and inspiration from her brother encouraged Karame to keep pushing to improve.
“Like many of the other players that eventually come up to varsity, I’ve known Ava since the first time she put on skates and started making her way through the Pelham Learn to Skate and Learn to Play programs,” said Pelham Varsity Hockey Head Coach, Mike Cambria. “She used to buzz around the rink in a white and pink helmet with a big smile.”
This past summer, Karame attended the girls U15 USA hockey development camp. After a process of tryouts, Karame has landed herself on a track that could potentially lead to Team USA. She will try out again this May in hopes of making either the U16 or U18 training program.
Outside of Pelham hockey, Karame plays for the South Westchester Blackhawks. Many of the boys on varsity play for this team as well, allowing Karame to build connections with her current teammates. During the summers, Karame trains with Pelham alum and Brown hockey player, Anna Hurd.
“I would obviously love to play hockey in college,” said Karame. “I don’t really know what I can do with the sport, but I just really want to see how far I can go with it.”
Karame’s skating abilities set her apart from the boys on the varsity team. She has unmatched edgework, transitions, and lateral movements, according to Cambria. Showing up to tryouts was the starting point for Karame. Moving her from JV to varsity was a no-brainer as Cambria watched her outcompete and outplay her competition. She joins a group of veteran defensemen in hopes of working her way to a starting defense position in the coming years.
“She sets a goal and does everything she can to achieve it,” said Cambria. “I feel bad for anyone that tries to get in her way.”
Ava and brother Zyde Karame have a great relationship on and off the ice. Zyde is a senior captain and starting defenseman for Pelham. So, not only does Ava Karame look up to her older brother, but he continuously pushes her to be the best player and believes in her. During the Pelham v. Mt Pleasant game, Ava Karame assisted her brother in a goal.
“Playing with Ava has always been something I wanted to do, and the fact that we have been able to have shifts together and play the same line as siblings has been fun,” said Zyde Karame.
Pelham hockey’s future looks bright with a starting record of 4-0, and Karame has much to look forward to and lots of talent to display on the ice.
