Q&A with Mississauga area hockey player Erin Morris
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario —
Name: Erin Morris
Age: 16
Grade: 11
Years In Hockey: 11
Position: Forward (Centre/Wing)
Erin Morris has participated in a lot of sports; volleyball, basketball, track and field, soccer, gymnastics and dance. Right now, this high-school athlete is focused on one — hockey — despite the major detour the pandemic has presented her with this season.
“An U18AA team I committed to pulled out of the OWHA in the middle of August due to covid rules and it was very difficult to find a team that had spots open,” she says. “So I ended up playing A, and I am working really hard on and off the ice to maintain the AA calibre of hockey that is necessary to continue on this path.” Erin says advice she received years ago has been helpful as she navigates this challenge. “A coach once told me, ‘It doesn’t matter what anyone else’s goals are, only what your goals are and how you are going to achieve them. If you put in the work it will pay off.’”
What are your personal goals within your sport?
Erin Morris: To play at the university level and higher if I can.
What do you love about your sport?
Morris: I love the fact that I get this additional family, people I see at least 4 days a week. Everyone is so supportive of each other and loves the game. I also love hockey because when I’m playing, nothing else matters and this allows me to escape stress I might have from homework or assignments that are due. I get the opportunity to strengthen myself in every way I can.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Morris: Everything happens for a reason, and no matter what, you have to keep going. This is something my mom says to me all the time.
Do you have a saying or motto that you like to live by?
Morris: When I approach training and playing, “beast mode” because when I was younger my dad and I used to workout together and he would post pictures of us on social media with the caption “beast mode” and everyone would tell me what a beast I was at working out. I like to apply that to stay strong and not worry about anything else that may be happening while I’m on the ice.
What is your favourite song or music artist to get you ready for a game?
Morris: My favourite music to listen to before a game is my country playlist.
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?
Morris: My pregame ritual is to have a nutritious meal a couple of hours before I have to leave and making sure I get to the rink an hour and a half before game time if I can so I know I’m not going to be late (I live 45 minutes away from my home rink).
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Morris: Being a member of a team has taught me that we all have different qualities and if we can figure out a way to put them all together and work cohesively it benefits everyone. Also, sometimes things don’t go to play, and when there are 18 teenage girls on a team you have to know that everyone might not get along at first, but the second we step on the ice none of that matters, we are able to work together.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Morris: I love to bake/cook, play the guitar and piano, make TikToks, and go to the gym.
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