As the puck drops, Cassie Speir ’25 glides across the rink with unwavering focus, her eyes sharp and her grip firm. She closes in on the net and shoots, sending the puck into the back of the posts and marking her 31st goal of the season.

Speir, a senior and forward, first discovered her love for hockey at the age of nine. “I started in a rec league ... [because] one of my really good friends from elementary school was doing it ... ever since I started, I just loved it,” said Speir.

She soon transitioned into playing travel hockey, which introduced her to competitive play and extensive travel, allowing her to go to different states such as Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Although Speir also dabbled in lacrosse and softball throughout middle and high school, it was hockey that she was most passionate about.

“Quitting has never really been an option for me ... hocky is an outlet for me,” said Speir. Many athletes have role models they admire, and Speir is inspired by two renowned hockey athletes: Hilary Knight, who has won a gold medal at the IIHF World Women’s Championship and the 2018 Winter Olympics, and Sarah Fillier, a former Princeton University standout now playing in the newly formed Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).

“I would go watch [Fillier’s] games when I was younger ... they did have [the PWHL back then], but the women didn’t really get paid much, and i t wasn’t super known. But this one’s being marketed really well, so they are good role models to girls who want to play,” said Speir.

Speir’s commitment to hockey is year-round, as she competes for both the PHS girls ice hockey team and the Princeton Tiger Lilies, a club team in the National Girls Hockey League.

“[I play hockey] basically every day,” said Speir. “At school, I play defense, but for my club, I’m usually a forward. Playing both positions has been great for understanding the game better.”

Last season, Speir played a crucial role, leading her team to a 3–11 record to qualify for the Annis Cup semifinals. She led not just her team, but also the state, in number of goals in one season, embodying the team’s spirit throughout the season.

“She’s definitely more down to earth and she connects personally with the players on our team, and she’s really great for morale. She’s very inspiring. The energy she brings to the game inspires other people to be more energetic,” said Co-Captain Maya Hagt ’25.

Christian Herzog, head coach of the girls ice hockey team, who witnessed Speir’s journey from an ambitious freshman to a leading scorer, reflects on her success.

“She’s had a lot of success in this sport because she’s been playing quite a while, and she works extremely hard,” said Herzog. “I would expect to hear about her accomplishments playing in college as well. She’s definitely going to be a tough personality to lose next season.”

Hagt expresses Speir’s importance to the team, not just as a hockey player, but as a person as well.

“She’s so inspiring to have on the ice. But even off the ice, she works so hard. You can tell that she puts a lot of effort into everything she does. I think she’s also a very empathetic person. Having her as a friend and a teammate is really, really special,” said Hagt.

Looking forward, Speir has set personal goals for this season, aiming to continue her streak by increasing the number of goals she scores and improving her assist count.

“I’m always working on improving my game all-around, skating, shooting, and handles. On my travel team we’ve been working on some new o-zone faceoff plays,” said Speir.

For the rest of the season, Speir aims to continue her streak by increasing the number of goals she scores and improve her assist count. As for her future beyond high school, Speir seeks to keep playing the sport she loves.

“I just want to continue to play, probably at the club level ... [and also] keep introducing new players to the game,” said Speir.

As she enters her final season at PHS, Speir is determined to make every game count and build lasting connections with her team. Preparing to skate off into a new chapter of her life she remembers and appericates all of the moments that have led her to become the player and person that she is now.

“Ice hockey has taught me that hard work makes good things (goals and other life things),” said Speir. “It has taught me a lot about being a very supportive teammate and friend and my experiences have made me a more confident leader.”

To Speir, every game, tournament has meant more to her than her team. Most important of all, Speir knows that hockey has given her more than skills — it’s given her unforgettable friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

“In the future I hope that I can continue to play for fun and that I will be able to bring in new players to the game,” said Speir. “Hockey is where I’ve made my best friends in the world.”