MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Two words is all it takes to describe 16-year-old Mississauga Hurricanes AA hockey star, Selena Carreras Dolinar — all in. This hard-working young woman says she always takes pride in the work she does, putting her heart into everything. It’s precisely this commitment that the secondary school student athlete is hoping will help take her game to the next level.

What is your goal within your sport?
Selena Carreras Dolinar: To play university women’s hockey (in 2023), while obtaining my veterinarian degree.

What do you love about your sport?
Carreras Dolinar: Getting lost in the game. I love the feeling after hearing the third buzzer, when my face is sweating. All my pain, sweat and tears accumulate from all the hard work that I put out on the ice. Whether we win or lose, the feeling stays the same. Through hockey I’ve learned many valuable lessons that have helped me mature and become the young woman I am today.

What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and how do you manage it?
Carreras Dolinar: One of the biggest challenges was moving to a new team every year and leaving behind my friends. Every year was a new beginning because I didn’t know the players and I was constantly having to prove myself to my teammates and coaches. I felt like I was always the underdog but, the experience built my drive to always be the best player I can be.

Do you have a pregame ritual?
Carreras Dolinar: Before every single game I have a mental game preparation. Throughout my trials and errors during the years I’ve played, I noticed that my mental game is a continuous experience before, during and afterward. Training my mind for all the twists and turns that evolve makes me better prepared for every single game.The ability to bounce back faster, improves my ability to play effectively sooner.This proper mental state is imperative to do my best and shake off any negativity that happens.

What is your favourite song to get you ready for a game?
Carreras Dolinar: When getting in the zone before my game I normally listen to a lot of pump-up music. One of my favourite songs I listen to is “Glorious” by Macklemore. This song makes me feel like I’m ready to take on the world, no matter what.

What has being a member of a team taught you?
Carreras Dolinar: That it is okay to rely on others. Being on a team is like having another family, one that will always take care of you and be there for your ups and downs. It is a family that you grow with. You are never alone because someone always has your back and will help you throughout your journey together.

What words of wisdom have you received from a coach or mentor?
Carreras Dolinar: No matter how good or bad you do, shake it off and do even better on the next shift. You never want to be comfortable with the way you play. You can always improve.

Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Carreras Dolinar: I second-guessed myself and my talent. I overcame this by continuously striving for excellence and changing what I can control. I remember all the hard work I put into my sport to make myself the player I am today.

What was the best advice you were ever given?
Carreras Dolinar: To understand that I can only control my own actions. This brought me a lot of peace and control in my life.

Do you have a motto that you like to live by?
Carreras Dolinar: Never be comfortable with success. You learn more from failure than from success, so I won’t let failure stop me, failure builds character.

What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Carreras Dolinar: I like to focus on giving myself a spa day or an hour massage to pamper myself. This is so I get a break from all the stress. My goal is to do this once a week to create balance and self-care in my life.

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