It’s a full circle moment for Reese Hiddleston as the White Rock, BC product will return to Delta Hockey Academy, this time as a coach, after she played three Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) seasons for the Delta, BC program.
Hiddleston started playing hockey at the age of five for the Hollyburn Huskies in West Vancouver. She played there for a couple years before moving to South Surrey, joining the Surrey Falcons for a couple years.
She would then then quit hockey in 2012 to focus on playing soccer. After a couple years away from the game, she quit soccer to return to hockey halfway through the season in 2014. However, at this time, the only position available was goalie.
Hiddleston would transition from player to netminder when she was 12 years-old and in grade 7. Her first full year of being a goaltender was in grade 8, making her a late bloomer to the position. She played as a goalie for the Falcons on the Bantam Prep Team for two years.
Despite her late start in net, Hiddleston caught the eye of Delta Hockey Academy, joining the team Female U18 Varsity team for their inaugural year of the female program in 2016.
“When Delta reached out to me to join their program, my family and I were very interested in the program due to its focus on combining academic and athletic success,” said Hiddleston. “I wanted to be in a high-performance environment that would push me to grow both as an athlete and as a person. I was drawn to the structure of the program where I was exposed to intense training, competitive gameplay, and academic support, which was exactly what I needed to prepare for the next level, both in hockey and in school.”
Hiddleston spent three seasons in the CSSHL with Delta. She posted a 1.18 GAA and .947 SV% in 16 games during her first season in the Female U18 Varsity Division, before recording a 2.48 GAA and .912SV% in her final two seasons with the Delta Female U18 Prep team.
Her time and success at Delta would earn her the opportunity to play U SPORT hockey for the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds.
“There are many aspects of the Delta Hockey Academy and the CSSHL that helped me feel confident and prepared for the demands of playing hockey at the university level,” remarked Hiddleston. “I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to learn time management skills in this program prior to university, as that is a significant challenge faced by many in student-athletes during university.”
While at UBC, Hiddleston studied Kinesiology with a focus on Multidisciplinary Science, though it took some time to find the career path that was right for her.
“In the first couple years of university, I thought I would choose a career path in physiotherapy or occupational therapy, however, I quickly changed my career path to teaching, when I got opportunities to coach and engage in classes that focused on teaching and coaching pedagogy.”
Hiddleston is currently finishing the education program at UBC, and has been hired to TTOC (Teacher Teaching on Call) in the Vancouver and Delta school districts.
“I had an amazing time during my practicum teaching Physical and Health Education at Eric Hamber Secondary in Vancouver. It was at this school where I fell in love with teaching and knew I had picked the right career path for me. What I really enjoy is how my background as an athlete and coach naturally supports my teaching. Whether I’m in the classroom or on the ice, I aim to create a positive, inclusive space where students feel challenged and supported,” added Hiddleston.
While Hiddleston will start her teaching career in the fall, it will also mark her return to Delta and beginning of her coaching career. She will take on the role as an assistant coach with the Delta Female U15 team, an expansion team to the Delta program.
“During the past six years, I stayed connected with the staff at Delta, and when the opportunity came up to return as a coach, I knew it was the right fit. Delta had such a positive impact on my life, and I’m excited to give back to a program that shaped me into the individual I am today.”
Delta Vice President Owen Pighin noted the success Hiddleston has had, and the excitement level that comes with her expected success in her return to Delta.
“Knowing Reese from day one at Delta Hockey Academy makes this a very special moment. Coming back to coach and teach at Delta is a great example of what success can look like for our student-athletes. Reese has always been a very focused person and has the ability to take on challenges with a very calm demeanour. Whether it will be coaching or teaching our student athletes, we are excited and are looking forward in our next chapter at Delta Hockey Academy with Reese.”
Hiddleston will hope to use her previous time at Delta and UBC, which she reflected on in a positive light, to inspire the next generation of female athletes.
“What I’m most excited about is mentoring student-athletes the way my coaches once mentored me. I want to support them in setting goals, learning to lead, and becoming confident both on and off the ice.”
