Stryker Zablocki wins conference player of the year, co-rookie of the year in NCAA

Stryker Zablocki is quickly becoming one of the top names in NCAA hockey.

The Prince Albert product recently finished her first season with the Northeastern Huskies in the NCAA’s Hockey East conference, and she’s already made a big splash.

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The 19-year-old forward led the conference in points (34), goals (17), and was third in assists (17). Those stats saw named the co-rookie of the year in the conference, and she also became the sixth Huskies player to win the Cammi Granato Award as the conference’s player of the year. She is the first rookie to lead Hockey East in conference scoring since Daryl Watts in 2017-18.

“I’m honoured, obviously, but I couldn’t have done it without my team,” Zablocki said.

“Everyone here has been so awesome and so supportive, and we really have every part of the team you need. We have goaltending, we have defence, we have offence, and that has helped my impact on this team and helped me thrive within the team.”

Before heading down south, Zablocki was a star with the Regina Rebels in the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League. She was named the league’s MVP for the 2023-24 season with 65 points (40 goals, 25 assists) in 27 games as the Rebels claimed the provincial title.

The Rebels went on to claim the national title, winning the Esso Cup 2-1. Zablocki was named the MVP of that tournament with 11 points.

She has also represented Canada twice at the U18 Women’s World Championships, winning bronze in 2024 and then taking home the gold medal in 2025.

Stryker Zablocki has already worn the Maple Leaf twice as a member of the U18 Canadian women’s team. (Dave Holland/Hockey Canada Images)

So when it came to making the jump to the NCAA, Zablocki set the bar high for herself.

“I had high expectations for myself. I wanted to come in and make an impact immediately, and that was my main goal,” Zablocki said.

“I think it helped the team, and my individual success was helpful for everyone and everyone had super great seasons.”

Even though she’s had a lot of success in her first season in the NCAA, Zablocki said she definitely noticed a difference in the play.

“The pace is the biggest factor that I’ve noticed. It’s super fast. It’s also very physical. Very different from playing club hockey,” Zablocki said.

“Everyone has harder shots, everyone’s passes are crisper, goaltending is much stronger, so I think those are the biggest aspects that have changed.”

Zablocki committed to Northeastern while she was still in Grade 11. Her time there has so far lived up to the expectations she had set.

“The team here is amazing and the coaches are great. I love the campus and the school. It has been an awesome experience so far,” Zablocki said.

“It’s surpassed my expectations of what I thought it was going to be. It’s a whole new experience and something I have never done before. I’m grateful for my time here so far and can’t wait for what’s next.”

After leading the Hockey East Conference in points, Stryker Zablocki was named the conference’s player of the year and co-rookie of the year. (Northeastern University/Submitted)

For her Grade 12 season, Zablocki attended Bishop Kearney High School in New York to play with the Selects for a season.

“I just wanted a little more exposure and to play with some other girls who are going on the NCAA route,” Zablocki said.

“The level there was a little higher and a little faster. It was just a step I needed to take care of my development and the future of my career.”

This year, the Huskies amassed a 28-8-1 record and qualified for the NCAA tournament as the fifth seed.

The team went on the road in the first round of the playoffs and knocked off the fourth-seeded Minnesota Golden Gophers 4-2, with Zablocki scoring a goal.

The Huskies will take on Ohio State on Friday.

While her NCAA journey is still just beginning, Zablocki has plenty of opportunities ahead, including the PWHL.

She said it’s great to have so many opportunities to play hockey after college.

“It’s a promising feeling, because if you make it to that level there’s a spot for you. It helps your goals and makes you want to dream extra big and know there’s a place for you if you do make it to that point in your career,” Zablocki said.