Emme Coquet is enjoying her first season playing for the Team Colorado AAA program, and even though it’s also her last, she’s excited for what next season holds.

Recently, the Northglenn native now living in Littleton committed to NCAA Division III St. Norbert College for next fall. The school is located in De Pere, Wisc., and will be Coquet’s second experience living away from Colorado.

“After deciding to stay home for my senior year after playing the last three years in Boston, my coach Hannah Westbrook suggested I contact St. Norbert before a tournament in Minnesota,” Coquet said. “She has known the head coach, AJ Aitken, for a while and spoke very highly of him and the program. I also know a couple of girls on the team from Colorado and a hockey family that lives near campus, and they had nothing negative to say about the school or coaches. The weekend before Thanksgiving, my mom and I went to visit, and I felt an instant fit with the school, coaches, and team. I took a week to remove the high emotions from the visit and think logically before calling Coach AJ and verbally committing. Honestly, it was a really easy decision for me and one where I feel I will be happy and successful there for the next four years.

“The level of support provided by the school for academics, athletics, and mental health is very impressive. If needed, the athletic trainers and physicians are always available for injuries and the academic counseling is a huge plus for the student body. The campus size was appealing to me, walking around the campus doesn’t feel small but very welcoming. The average class ratio is 14:1 so there are teachers who know you and are willing to assist academically, which is important, especially being a student-athlete. On the hockey side, the coaching staff constantly mentions the future of the program, the improvements made over the past few years, and striving for success which is something I am excited to be a part of. The team is super nice and welcoming, everyone seems very dedicated and has bought into what Coach AJ is implementing.”

Coquet said she is excited for the “student” aspect of being a student-athlete, too.

“I have always taken a lot of pride in my academics and my success in the classroom,” she noted. “At the end of the day, my education is most important and I am excited to continue to be pushed and study what I love at St. Norbert to earn a degree.”

Growing up, Coquet said she caught the hockey bug at a young age.

“I was always at the rink watching my older brother Wesley play and compete,” said Coquet. “It wasn’t until I was eight or nine that I wanted to learn to skate. I also grew up watching and attending Avs games, which were always a highlight. The fun environment and fans always fascinated me and increased my love for the game.”

Prior to Team Colorado AAA, Coquet spent time with several associations in Colorado.

“I first started playing for the Hyland Hills Jaguars co-ed coached by Jim Mueller and my dad (Darby Coquet) before I started playing for the Boulder Bison,” Coquet said. “Boulder is like a home to me and it was always so much fun being a part of those teams. Many coaches at Boulder helped me along the way, including Rick Zis, John Sales, Hurley Kane, Jake Bauer, James McCure, Andy Jasiecke, Bobby Deminske, Nate Burch, Neil Runbeck, and Michelle Amidon. During my journey with co-ed hockey, I was also lucky enough to double-roster with the Lady RoughRiders and the Colorado Select. I enjoyed the girls teams and had many more coaches helping along the way such as Chris Lockrem, Evan Minnick, Eric and Kerry Mayhew, Shelby Butler, and Frank Urban. I also enjoyed playing with the NAHA Prospects, a tournament team coached by Corey Garrett and Hannah Westbrook, which then led me into moving out east from freshman to junior year to play for NAHA, coached by Amanda Pelkey, Makenna Newkirk, Dana Trivigno, Toni Miano, and McKenna Brand.

“It wasn’t until this year I decided to stay home and play for Team Colorado 19U team with such amazing coaches, including Hannah Westbrook, Drue Engleman, Taylor Gross, and Ben DiMarco.”

Moving forward, Coquet attainable goals well within reach.

“My short-term goals right now are to enjoy the rest of high school and playing with Team Colorado,” she said. “I am looking forward to competing at USA Hockey Nationals with this team in March while also looking forward to the next chapter. I am excited to be a part of St. Norbert’s hockey team’s future success while also studying economics and excelling academically.”

Photo/Be Feral Media

— Matt Mackinder

(December 21, 2022)