Sonoma State's very own Amber Carey has been selected to represent our country on the Women's USA Roller Hockey Team this June in Varese, Italy for the World Championships.
Carey's original specialty was ice hockey, which she played for 10 years starting at the Tri-Valley minor hockey league, an ice hockey team she competed with for most of her childhood. When she was younger she was also a part of the Valley Roller Hockey Club, located in her hometown of Livermore, California.
Sophomore Carey is currently the goalkeeper for Sonoma's College team (WCRHL) and the East Bay Jawz Club, a semi pro roller hockey team in Alameda.
During Carey's freshman year she took on the SSU roller hockey team, with help from her brother, SSU senior Josh Carey.
"I had to learn the different movements, because in ice hockey you slide and in roller hockey you don't, the puck was also harder to control." The transition from ice hockey to roller hockey took about one year to adjust, according to Carey. Ice hockey is also played at a faster pace and allows full body contact, whereas in roller hockey fighting is not permitted.
Throughout Carey's years of playing hockey, especially participating on five different teams, she has gained many supporters. The SSU hockey team and the East Bay Jawz are coached by her father John Carey, who's a native of Michigan where hockey is very popular. Josh Carey has been playing since age nine, influenced by his uncle, hockey runs in the family and they are all very encouraging of the sport.
"My brother was the reason I started playing, but my Dad really pushed me the most. I perform my best when both my parents are at my games," said Carey, who is the only female player on the SSU and Jawz teams as well as one of the youngest.
"Sometimes I feel I have to prove myself playing with all the guys." Carey has obviously proved her point by getting invited to try out for the Women's USA Team in Colorado Springs, Colorado and then being offered a position on the roster.
Sonoma's Division II team plays against teams such as, Chapman, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis and Chico State, the team finished off their '09 season with an 8-15 overall record.
Carey has a perfect goalie mentality; not letting goals that go by upset her, she is also optimistic with her recent success of the switch over to roller hockey.
"Before I went to the try outs I wasn't as enthusiastic, but now I'm excited and fortunate I'm going to Italy with the World Team."
Carey has a busy summer ahead of her at the Valley Roller Hockey Club, hosting a goalie clinic. Support our Sonoma State athlete and watch Carey at the In-Line World Games in June.
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