Cara Zubko’s career in hockey began at an early age and skyrocketed through the years.
Her love of the game has kept her goals in sight and she concentrated on her hockey career. Recently, her career took another step forward and she will be playing professional hockey with the EHV Vienna Sabres of Austria. She is the daughter of Lorne and Colleen Zubko of Stenen.
Zubko graduated from Ohio State University on May 7, where she had been playing university-level hockey. She graduated with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture with a major in agricultural business and economics. She has come home for the summer to work full time with Prairie Services in Norquay before she sets off on her next hockey adventure.
“Sacrifices are a big part of hockey – I chose to do it,” said Zubko. “Playing hockey has been a dream come true for me and to be able to take it to another level has been huge. Playing across the sea in Austria will be a challenge but I am so excited.
“My next journey with the EHV Vienna Sabers will begin on August 13 when I fly out and then get settled in and begin practices with the team on August 15. We (the players) have one day together to get to know each other before we play in a tournament on August 15 in the Czech Republic.
“This is a huge step for me, going into a country where they speak mostly German. I have some experience as I had backpacked across Germany but this will definitely be a challenge.
Everything I have done in my life has been a challenge and I have risen up to meet every one of those challenges.
“After my season in Austria is over, it will probably be the end of my professional hockey career. It is just not feasible for me to continue but I am not ruling anything out yet.
“My hockey success can be attributed to my family and friends – along with hard work. You don’t get anywhere in life without getting yourself there. I am fortunate to have started with each team when I did and to have played the calibre of hockey that I have. I’ve had some amazing coaches along the way. Hard work is key though.
The EHV Vienna Sabres of Austria will be the new home team for Cara Zubko of Stenen area. She recently signed a one-year contract with the team. She is scheduled to begin her journey in August and the contract will end in March 2017.
I have trained, learned to eat healthier, and worked on the ice and off. I have worked on my stride and stick handling that has helped to propel me to another level of hockey,” she concluded.
