Zajko making mark with Lady Icers

By CHRISTIAN TAYLOR
Collegian Staff Writer

A captain leads the way.

Whether it is a heated locker room speech or just leading by example, the captain sets the tone for his or her team.

Penn State Lady Icers captain Ellen Zajko leads by example. Zajko has scored 22 points with 12 goals and a plus/minus of 15 in seven games.

The undefeated Icers (7-0) have buried all their opponents thus far, and are enjoying their best season in the team's three-year history.

The team's success is partly due to the leadership of Zajko.

The junior center not only generates a lot of scoring chances on her shifts, she also utilizes her speed to break in and find the open player.

Defense is also an area in which Zajko excels. She back-checks well and can create many neutral-zone turnovers.

"She's fast and very strong, and she plays smart," said Icers defenseman Nicole Agostino.

Zajko also is effective on special teams. On penalty killing she is fast enough to come out of position to pressure the point and can get back in time to cover the slot.

"She's the captain of the team," said Icers coach Kim Cautreels. "So on the ice if she needs to step up, she'll do so. If the team's down, she'll do everything she can to bring them back up."

Despite her lengthy list of accolades and talents, Zajko, asks for no credit. She in turn feels that good coaching is one of the main reasons for the team's accomplishments so far.

"(The coaches) take the two hours of practices we have during the week and use it well," Zajko said. "Every minute is worth something and we learn a lot."

Zajko, one of the original members of Penn State's inaugural women's ice hockey team, certainly has learned her share about hockey.

Her hockey roots started in high school when she first became interested in playing for a local league.

Zajko stuck with it through high school, her father supporting her hockey ambitions as she progressed.

Nearly seven years later, she still is progressing, but now she dons the captain's "C" on her jersey.

And despite the fact the player wearing that "C" has a responsibility to lead the team on the ice and in the locker room, Zajko doesn't feel any pressure with her role.

"A captain to me should set an example and I'm not the type of player to get hot tempered," said Zajko.

Dedication to the game also plays a big part in becoming a team leader.

In her three years with the Icers, Zajko has not missed a game.

She also is on pace to top her previous season-best total of 30 points and has come a long way since beginning her career with the Icers.

"She has improved for the most part on her shot and her head, as far as thinking on the ice," said Cautreels. "She brings a lot of team unity. She talks a lot and many people look up to her."

Zajko's teammates also notice her commitment to the game.

"She's a very well-rounded player," said Agostino. "She's good offensively, defensively and she's a good captain."

Motivation to keep improving is yet another true mark of a team leader.

"Staying undefeated and keeping our record going is very important," Zajko said. "Winning definitely motivates me."

Zajko cites shooting accuracy as an aspect of her game in which she feels she could improve.

"I tend to shoot at the goalie instead of the open net," she said. "I've got a lot of shots on net and I've had a lot of goals, but I should have gotten a lot more in."

Zajko will have one final season next winter to make those missed shots while further establishing her leadership role.