By Mark Janzen /

Jacey Jones strapped on her helmet, grabbed her stick and took the walk from the dressing room to the ice surface.

It was her first skate with the University of Regina women’s hockey team.

“The only person on the ice was (fifth-year veteran) Kelsie Graham,” Jones recalled. “She’s like 5-11 and she’s big and she goes out there and takes a slapshot that just about breaks the glass. I swear. And I think my heart came up through my throat and I was like ‘Oh my gosh, what have I got myself into?”

Welcome to university hockey, Jacey.

Jones, a product of Delburne, Alta., who played Major Midget for the Spruce Grove Timberwolves last year, may have had a little bit of  ‘welcome to the next level’ shock when she arrived in Regina, but even after only two regular-season games, she’s fitting right in.

“I’m loving it. It’s been awesome. I love being out here.

“For me it’s like playing guys hockey again. It’s crazy intense and I really like that and practicing five days a week, I wish I could have done it all through midget. I really like the commitment that everyone shows.”

Jones played minor hockey with the boys in Delburne up until midget, so she knows all about the physical side of the play. And combine that with her offensive flair – she’s already potted her first regular-season goal – and she’s quickly becoming a fan favourite.

“I have really sweet linemates (Kelsie Graham and Gina Campbell) so that really helps with getting points. I think I’m hard working and have some grit and I really like how the coaches push the physical play because that’s right up my alley.”

“She’s playing a regular shift with us,” said long-time University of Regina coach Sarah Howald. “She’s on one of our top three lines. She’s got a bit of powerplay time. She’s not playing a huge role but she’s playing a pretty solid role for a first-year player.”

While Jones looks to make an impact on the ice, her academic efforts are just as noticeable. She’s enrolled in the pre-pharmacy program and has already set a pretty clear goal.

“Definitely one of the goals for my first year is to be an Academic All-Canadian at Regina. I put a lot of effort into school. That’s why I’m here. I want to get a good education and I thought Regina could supply that for me. It’s just about learning the balance between practice and classes.”

And there’s plenty of incentive. If she is named an Academic All-Canadian this year, the University of Regina will pay for her tuition next year.

And that extra cash might come in handy for Jones. After all, in the summer, she’s a semi-professional barrel racer and a two-time National High School Rodeo Association all-star.

Jones had to make a decision in Grade 11 whether she wanted to pursue hockey or barrel racing. Her brother Riley took a full-ride bull riding scholarship to Arkansas, so she thought the NCAA route could be an option.

But she knew she could do rodeo her whole life, while the window for hockey was small.

“I sold my good horse before I came out here and now I’m going to work on some colts over the next couple years and hopefully be able to go back at it strong once I’m done school.”

She knows what she wants. And she’s quickly learned exactly what she got herself into.

Now it’s just a matter of executing.