Cherie Hendrickson, Boxford native and defenseman for the Boston-based team of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League. By, Emma Haak
Where she works: Hendrickson’s team practices at the Brooks School’s ice rink in North Andover and plays league games everywhere from Harvard to UNH.
Home ice: Hendrickson attended Brooks, where the girls’ hockey team took home the New England Championship her senior year.
How she started in the CWHL: “I graduated from Providence College, and one of my teammates who graduated the same year was looking to play up in Burlington. We ended up going up together. At the time, I had been considering going to Europe to play, so it was nice that Burlington was closer to home. I got to know the coach and the pieces fell into place. Even though it wasn’t on my radar to begin with, it worked out.”
Her uniform: “All the padding that we wear is actually not that heavy. It looks bulky, but nowadays, the equipment is super light. I usually wear Spandex pants, an Under Armour shirt, and the equipment. And that’s it. That way I don’t overheat. Depending on the rink, sometimes it can get really warm.”
Family affair: Paul, Hendrickson’s father, is the team’s general manager, and she always has a family cheering section at her games. “It’s kind of embarrassing, but every time I go out on the ice, I wave.”
