At Prep Camp, we always say that you never know who is watching. For Noe Crookham, that lesson turned into the opportunity of a lifetime.
We recently sat down with Noe—a long-time Prep Camp attendee and Vancouver native—to talk about her journey from playing minor hockey with the Vancouver Angels and North Shore Avalanche. She furthered her development through 10 games with the Pacific Steelers and a full season with the Vancouver Comets. “I learned so much under Prep Camp Coach Mel Jue while I was with the Comets. It was a big year for me.” Noe is now a key member of Shawnigan Lake School in the CSSHL, and officially committing to Robert Morris University (RMU) last summer, a week after Prep Camp.
What makes Noe’s story so special isn’t just the commitment; it’s the fact that her future college coach, Liam Cavanagh, first spotted her potential at Prep Camp when she was just 12 years old.
The Power of the “Smallest Player” Mentality
The recruiting process can often feel like a mystery, but for Noe, it came down to one specific moment on the ice at camp. Coach Cavanagh first noticed Noe’s competitiveness at Prep Camp years before her eventual commitment to RMU.
“He often reminds me about when he first saw me. He watched me when I was in the U13 group,” Noe laughs. “He tells me he committed me because of one rep of a mini-drill. I was ripping around and getting blown up because I was a lot smaller than everyone else. I just got back up, shot the puck, and went bar down. He really liked that. He said that showed him a lot about how I competed.”
It’s a powerful reminder for every young player who steps onto the ice at Port Alberni: Every rep matters. Coaches aren’t just looking for the biggest or fastest player; they are looking for the ones who get back up.
Breaking Records: From Angels to RMU
Noe’s roots go deep into the Vancouver hockey scene. She started her journey with the Vancouver Angels at the Richmond Oval—a program close to our hearts here at Prep Camp where Director Nate Leslie ran Angels skills sessions for a decade. In fact, Noe might be making history.
Did you know? Noe appears to be one of the first former “Angels” to secure an NCAA Division I commitment.
The Reaction: “I don’t take that lightly,” Noe said. “That’s an honour for my Angels.”
Why Prep Camp?
Having attended camp every year since 2022, Noe has seen the culture from both sides—as a wide-eyed 12-year-old and now as a veteran leader in our oldest U18+ group. Her advice to younger girls considering the camp is simple: Be kind to everyone.
“You make these connections because you don’t think you’re ever going to see them again, but these are the same girls that are going to be at ID camps and showcases. I’ve made so many friends that I used to hate playing against on the ice, and now they are my best friends.”
Staying Hungry
With one more year of high school (Grade 12) before she heads to RMU in two seasons, Noe isn’t taking her foot off the gas. While some might relax after a commitment, Noe is using it as fuel.
“I’m going to be fighting for ice time against girls who are already there,” she says. “That’s what I think about when a rep is too hard. I need to fight for my spot.”
Congratulations, Noe! We are so proud to have been a part of your development over the last four years. We can’t wait to see you dominate the U18 ice this summer before you head off to become a Colonial!
Want to follow in Noe’s footsteps? Join us this summer at Prep Camp.
