Paige Zimiga is from Rapid City, S.D., but has spent the 2024-25 season developing her game on the blue line with the Team Colorado 19U AAA team.

Next season, Zimiga will again advance her game after recently committing to play college hockey for the University of Jamestown, an ACHA team located in Jamestown, N.D.

“The Jamestown coach (Hannah Griffin) first saw me at a state development camp,” said Zimiga. “After that, we communicated through email and text until she offered me a position on their team. The school has an extremely good program for my major. They have a very impressive rates of getting their students into medical school. I like that their hockey team is competitive and also on the rise. Along with this, their school was able to offer a very good financial package.

“Academics have been my top priority in choosing a college. I’m planning on majoring in biology on the pre-med track.”

Zimiga said she grew up as a figure skater and then started playing hockey as well in fifth grade.

“I started playing because my figure skating coach was moving away and I thought that there wouldn’t be another coach that was qualified to coach me,” Zimiga said. “Luckily, a new coach moved in, but I continued to play hockey.”

This season with Team Colorado has been a turning point in rounding out Zimiga’s game to be ready for the college level.

“Our three coaches (Karen, Vanessa, Tatum) have been huge positive influences on me,” noted Zimiga. “Before I moved to Colorado, I had some very impactful coaches, including Brady Pinney, Kelly Simon, and Thad Bruhn.”

Going forward, Zimiga has reasonable goals in mind, both on and off the ice.

“My short-term goals are to get ready for college, both academically and athletically,” said Zimiga. “I’m hoping to increase my strength to help with my shot and my ability to protect the crease.”

Photo/Be Feral Media

— Matt Mackinder

(January 5, 2025)