This month’s alumni spotlight focuses on Camryn Drever.
Camryn Drever is a two-time Esso Cup Champion. A two-time Team Alberta alumna. Now, she is strapping on the pads for Team Canada at the 2023 FISU World University Games.
Drever was five or six years old when she started playing hockey.
“I was always playing mini sticks with my sisters,” said Drever. “As soon as I could walk, my parents put me in skates. My Dad built us a backyard rink each winter so my sisters and I could skate around and shoot pucks.”
Growing up, Drever played her minor hockey in Edmonton, where she played one year in the Alberta Midget Female Hockey League with the Edmonton Thunder. When the league changed to the Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL), Drever played her last two years of U18 AAA with the St. Albert Slash.
Throughout those years, Drever became a fixture in the Team Alberta program, donning the Team Alberta colours twice at the National Women’s U18 Championship.
After winning back-to-back Esso Cups with the Slash, Drever committed to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, where she is currently in her fourth year of eligibility. An impressive 0.938 save percentage in 13 games put her between the pipes for Canada at the FISU World University Games taking place in Lake Placid, New York, January 12-22.
“I had many opportunities in minor hockey that prepared me to play at a higher level,” said Drever. “These tournaments give me a chance to elevate my game and prepare me to play against the best teams and players in the country.”
Drever credits her coaches at all levels and her family for influencing her hockey career. The relationships she has built over the years are what keep her showing up every day.
“I love coming to the rink and playing the sport I love with all 30 of my favourite people and best friends,” said Drever. “The relationships, memories and places that hockey takes me is incredible and by far my favourite part of the game.”
Drever is not just a talented hockey player, but also a multi-sport athlete. She has played competitive soccer, volleyball and slo-pitch and competed in track and field. She believes the skills she gained in other sports aided her development as a goalie.
“A piece of advice I would give to a child starting hockey is to stick with it,” said Drever. “Hockey will give you some challenging things and life lessons thrown your way but it is also so rewarding and the people and places you go are incredible and you won’t forget for the rest of your life!”