Goal Setters

Chaldean girls get their time on the ice

By Steve Stein

The Michigan Girls High School Hockey League season is well underway. Wait—girls play high school hockey? Indeed, they do. Lots of them. Twenty-five teams, mostly from the metropolitan Detroit area, many of them combined squads of several high schools, about 300 girls, are playing in three divisions this season.

In November, the Chaldean News introduced readers to Sydney Schafer, who plays for the Orchard Lake St. Mary’s/St. Catherine team. One of the top girls’ high school hockey players in the state, Schafer scored 42 goals in 23 games last season.

But she isn’t the only Chaldean girl in the league. We spoke to six other girls who are enthusiastic about ice hockey. Let’s meet them:

Olivia Abbo

Olivia Abbo, a 14-year-old freshman at Bloomfield Hills High School in Bloomfield Hills, plays center for her school’s hockey team. She began playing hockey at around 4 or 5 years old, inspired by her hockey family. Her dad encouraged her to start playing.

Olivia enjoys the sport for both its fun nature and its excitement as a spectator. “It’s a fun sport to play and watch,” she explained. She has moved positions at least once. She now plays center and previously played as a goalie.

Although Olivia does not compete in other varsity sports at her high school, she is all in on hockey.

Sophie Antone

Sophie Antone, a 17-year-old junior at Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood in Bloomfield Hills, plays center for her high school hockey team this season after spending her entire career as a defenseman. Sophie started playing hockey in fifth grade, having been inspired by watching her older brother skate and shoot. “I watched my brother play hockey when I was little, and I knew that one day I was going to play.”

She has a deep love for the sport and values the hockey community, which has provided her with lifelong memories from tournaments and games, as well as the locker room. Sophie believes hockey teaches important lessons in discipline, hard work, and other values that will benefit her in the future.

Outside of hockey, she has been playing the piano for 15 years and competes in varsity sailing, a sport she has been involved with since the age of 8.

Elayna Garmo

Elayna Garmo, a 17-year-old senior at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in West Bloomfield Township, plays defense for her high school hockey team. She began skating at the age of 3 and competed in figure skating at the Detroit Skating Club for several years before transitioning to hockey.

Her journey into hockey began when Coach Craig Ward reached out to her mother after learning she would be attending OLSM. “I had never played before, but he and other coaches worked with me,” explained Elayna. “They taught me how to play hockey and now I love it.”

Although she had no experience with ice hockey, Coach Ward and other coaches helped her develop her skills, and Elayna quickly grew into a skilled player. She finds hockey to be exciting, challenging, and fun, and wishes she had started playing earlier.

Aside from hockey, Elayna enjoys making people laugh. “I love practical jokes even though people don’t always like being pranked,” said Elayna. “I love fashion and makeup as much as hockey and golf.”

She has been a member of the girls’ golf team since her freshman year and was named the most improved player last fall.

Jordyn Farida

Jordyn Farida, a 16-year-old junior at Birmingham Marian High School in Bloomfield Hills, plays defense for her high school hockey team. She started playing hockey at the age of 8, encouraged by her older brother and father.

Jordyn loves hockey because it helps her clear her mind from school and personal drama, allowing her to focus solely on the ice. She also appreciates the supportive hockey community and enjoys the aggressive, competitive nature of the sport. “I’ve never had a bad experience with my teammates,” said Jordyn.

In addition to hockey, Jordyn runs a cookie business, donating all profits to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Michigan. Baking is just one of her many hobbies. She also competes in varsity field hockey at Marian.

Logan Loussia

Logan Loussia, a 16-year-old junior at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in West Bloomfield Township, plays both left wing and right wing for her high school hockey team. She was inspired to start playing hockey after watching her older cousins play as a child. Her parents took her to their games, and after seeing them, Logan told her mom she wanted to play.

She began skating at age 3 and started playing hockey as a mini-mite when she was in kindergarten. Logan enjoys hockey for its pace and unpredictability. “It’s fast paced,” explained Logan. “You never know what’s going to happen next.”

Although she’s been injured, she found the game fun again after joining her school’s team. Having played hockey for 13 years, Logan started when the sport was played by mostly boys. “I started when it wasn’t popular for girls,” said Logan. “People used to be surprised when my parents told them I play hockey.”

Outside of hockey, she loves spending time on the lake, water skiing and lake surfing at Walled Lake and Lower Straits Lake. She also competes in varsity girls golf at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.

Mariana Seman

Mariana Seman, a 15-year-old freshman at White Lake Lakeland High School in White Lake, plays defense for her high school hockey team. She started playing hockey at age 4, after being frequently taken to the rink by her parents while her brother played travel hockey. “I was always dragged to the rink,” said Mariana.

Inspired by her brother and two other sisters, Mariana began playing for the Kensington Valley Ravens in Brighton and has been with the team ever since. She enjoys hockey for its competitive, aggressive nature, as well as the social aspect and the opportunity to travel to new places.

Outside of hockey, Mariana can be very feminine, a contrast to her athletic pursuits. ““If most people saw my room, they wouldn’t think I played hockey,” she said. “It’s all pink and white.”

She is also a member of the Michigan Racers Track Club and will compete in varsity track and field in the spring.

Future of the Sport

These seven young women represent just a fraction of the growing number of girls playing high school hockey in Michigan. Their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and passions reflect the vibrant and expanding community of female athletes in the sport.

Whether they’re balancing schoolwork, running businesses, or competing in other varsity sports, they share a deep love for hockey and the lessons it imparts. From learning the game early in life to excelling in both athletic and personal pursuits, these athletes are not only breaking stereotypes but also paving the way for future generations of young women in hockey.

As the Michigan Girls High School Hockey League continues to grow, it’s clear that the future of the sport is in capable, determined hands.