
A dream has come true for Amherstburg’s Erica Fryer.
Fryer, who just completed her university hockey career as a goalie with the University of Toronto, has turned pro and signed with a team in Sweden. Fryer left Tuesday afternoon and will soon join her new team SDE. That team plays in the SDHL and had one of their goalies suffer an injury. Thanks to a connection a coach she had in Toronto had in Sweden, a deal was quickly brokered and she signed her contract over a week ago.
Fryer said she is signed for the remainder of this season with a potential option for next season.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “They were looking for a goalie for the rest of the season so they gave me a call.”
Fryer’s university career ended last April and she got this opportunity to play in Sweden, something she is looking forward to. Her university team came in second at the nationals last year.
A farewell party was held last Sunday afternoon at Shooter’s Roadhouse in Amherstburg, where family and friends got to wish her well.
Fryer said “building a network is the biggest thing” for getting noticed, and she hopes this opportunity in Sweden leads to even more chances to play down the road. She said she was slightly nervous about heading over, but expressed confidence at the same time.
“I’ll be OK,” she said.
Stating she will be busy at the rink and getting to know her new teammates, Fryer added she can always reach out to her family.
“I know I’ve still got all of these guys support behind me,” she said, gesturing to the crowd at her farewell party.
Fryer thanked all of the coaches and mentors she has ever had as well as her family and friends.
“I’m really excited to get started,” she said.
Helene Åström, coach with SDE, told the team’s website – located at www.sdehockeydam.se – that they want to make a long playoff run and wanted to bolster their goaltending. Åström added Fryer received good recommendations not only as a goalie but as a person and a teammate as well.
Fryer told the website: ““ I grew up in a small town called Amherstburg in Ontario, Canada and started playing hockey when I was six-years-old. I quickly fell in love with the sport and am passionate about hockey. I move quickly in the goal and never give up.”
Fryer turns pro, heads to Sweden
By Ron Giofu
Comments