Phoenix Taylor, an 11-year-old member of the Curve Lake First Nation in Ontario, has set her sights on a future as a two-sport athlete. Despite her young age, Phoenix has ambitious dreams of excelling in both hockey and lacrosse when she reaches university.
Having played for the Markham Majors’ Under-12 squad in the Greater Toronto Hockey League, Phoenix, one of two females on the team, is now preparing to join the Clarington Flames’ Under-13 AA club for the upcoming season. In addition, she will serve as an affiliate player for the Flames’ Under-15 AA side and is expected to play for the North Shore Whitecaps boys’ Under-13 AAA club, a first-year organization formed through the merger of the Oshawa Generals and Clarington Toros minor hockey associations.
While hockey is a special passion for Phoenix, she also excels in lacrosse. Earlier this year, she earned a spot on the Ontario girls’ under-13 field lacrosse team, participating in a tournament in Delaware.
In an era where many young athletes opt to specialize in just one sport, Phoenix finds joy in playing lacrosse as well, noting how it benefits her eye-hand coordination, running, stamina, and overall fitness.
Looking ahead, Phoenix has her sights set on securing an athletic scholarship from an American university to pursue both hockey and lacrosse at the collegiate level. Her ambition is clear as she expresses her willingness to seize such an opportunity, should it arise.
However, her most recent lacrosse tournament with the Ontario team in Delaware didn’t yield the desired results as they faced older and stronger opponents, resulting in four losses and only seven goals scored across four games. Nonetheless, Phoenix emerged as a standout player, earning recognition as Ontario’s player of the game and contributing two goals to her team’s tally.
Moving forward, Phoenix is gearing up to take part in two more tournaments with her Ontario squad, culminating in her participation in the Kawartha Women’s Field Lacrosse Association in Ontario this summer.
Despite her success in sports, Phoenix also excels as a well-rounded student, representing her school in track and field and cross-country running competitions, showcasing her talent in areas beyond athletics.
With aspirations to pursue collegiate-level hockey in the future, Phoenix’s transition to girls’ hockey this upcoming season will provide her with the opportunity to establish herself in the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association and potentially attend high-performance camps in the years to come.
As Phoenix prepares to embark on a new chapter in her athletic journey, it is evident that her dedication and unwavering passion for both hockey and lacrosse will continue to drive her towards her goal of becoming a successful two-sport athlete.
The Local Journalism Initiative Reporters, supported by a financial contribution from the Government of Canada, aim to bring recognition to remarkable individuals such as Phoenix Taylor, whose dedication and talent shine through in the world of sports.