IN Mt. Lebanon Summer 2014 | Page 16

INPERSON Both teams that Ellie plays for, the Hornets and the Pens Elite, have been very successful. The Pens Elite team has won many tournaments over the last three years and this year won the league championship for their age bracket. Last year, her Hornets team advanced to the league finals and, this year, to the semifinals. Ellie’s father says that “there have been a few individual accomplishments, but the team successes mean a lot more to her.” As for what keeps Ellie motivated, she says that “the speed and the fun of the game” have much to do with it, as well as “being able to spend time with [her] friends.” She also thinks that being part of a winning team is exciting, and she further admits that “ice cream after practice in the summer” keeps her highly driven. Ellie attends Jefferson Middle School in Mt. Lebanon and Andy says that she’s been very responsible about staying on top of her schoolwork. He explains that “she typically does her homework right after school on days when she has evening hockey practices.” It seems that Ellie is balancing academics with hockey quite well. When she is not playing or practicing hockey or doing her schoolwork, Ellie enjoys playing the violin, Wii, drawing and spending time with her family and friends. Marcovsky agrees that a lot of things have changed in a positive way in amateur youth hockey. In general, the game has grown tremendously, corresponding with the increasing popularity of the Penguins. He explains that “…there are just a lot more players and more teams than ever before, including all-girls’ teams.” Also, he says, USA Hockey recently raised the age that body checking begins by two years, from age 11 to age 13. “For girls who decide not to play full-check hockey, it gives them an extra two years to continue to compete on coed teams with the boys.” Such changes and developments continue to provide driven, athletic and talented girls like Ellie with even more amazing opportunities. ■ YOUR ONE STOP SHOP ROBINSON TOWN CENTRE Park Manor Boulevard, Robinson Township, PA 15205 www.robinsontowncentre.com Over 50 Shops & Restaurants AAA East Central AT&T Bath & Body Works Catherine’s Plus Sizes Clearview Federal Cost Cutters Deb Shops Deluca’s Diner Dollar Tree DSW Shoe Warehouse Family Christian Store Famous Footwear First Acceptance Ins. First Commonwealth Frank’s Shoes Gamestop GNC Golden Nails Guitar Center HobbyTown USA 14 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Mt. Lebanon HomeGoods Honeybaked Ham Ichiban Japanese Rest. Ideal Image IKEA Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts Justice Kirklands L.S. Jewelers LongHorn Steakhouse Marshalls Masquerade Office Max Once Upon A Child Oreck Floor Care Ctr Pearle Vision Petland PNC Bank Police Station Pizza RE/MAX Sally Beauty Supply Scrub Pro Uniforms Spice N Sabzi Starbucks Steak ‘n Shake TGI Fridays TJ Maxx Toys R Us Tuxedo Junction UPS Store US Armed Forces US Post Office Value City Furniture Verizon Wireless Wine & Spirits World of Rugs Ya Fei Chinese Rest.