Athlete Spotlight: Avery Matt

BISMARCK – Century found itself down a goal in the third period against one of the state’s top girls’ hockey teams in Grand Forks.
Patriot senior Avery Matt collected a loose puck behind the Knight Rider goal; pivoted out front and sniped a puck past the goalie. For good measure, she assisted on Century’s overtime winner.
It was just another night at the office for the captain. 
The standout has been producing all season for her team and it's no surprise she’s leading the ND League in scoring through Feb. 10. 
Her scoring prowess is no accident, says Century coach Tim Meyer. Her play is a direct result to just how competitive and dedicated Matt works.
“I wish people would be able to see her practice,’’ Meyer said. “What she does in practice directly leads to what she is capable of accomplishing in games. She is the hardest worker and most competitive kid. People don’t get to see the amount the effort that Avery puts into improving herself as a player, and a person.”
Fortunately, spectators do get to see a healthy dose of what she can do when the puck drops on game days.
The proven scorer possesses one of the hardest shots in the state, and already has 25 goals to her credit.
“I’ve spent a lot of time off the ice to improve both my strength and shot,’’ Matt said. 
Usually if a goalie can see the puck they can stop it, but Matt has what coach Meyer characterizes as “a heavy shot.”
Pucks that are hard for a goalie to handle and seem to get past them. Avery also has a quick release that is difficult for the goalie to pick up on. 
“She has made noticeable improvements on her release and shot placement,’’ Meyer said. “In her freshman year I think she was passing the puck in situations where she could have shot. Avery understands better now that it isn’t selfish to take shot. And she also has gotten better at getting the puck to her teammates when the time is appropriate.”
Indeed, opponents are well aware of her scoring touch, and when teams do try and defend her, she has the knack to find a teammate in a scoring area. She has 24 assists on the season and has already surpassed career bests in points.
Hockey started at a young age for Avery. “I learned to skate across the street at the outdoor rink spending great amounts of time on the ice,’’she recalls. “I just loved it right away and looked for to the next time I got to be on the ice.” 
Being close to another Bismarck hockey family, the Curls, also helped affirm her love for the game. Avery looked up to Britta Curl who was a standout player and eventually moved on to a successful college career and participating international tournaments for Team USA. And she also played alongside Brenna Curl two seasons. Who like, her sister, Britta, is playing college hockey.
Avery played youth hockey before jumping into high school play as a freshman with the Blizzard. It was the final season of one team in Bismarck before the formation of Century and Legacy-Bismarck High’s programs. “My year with the Blizzard was amazing and I learned so much from the upperclassmen who made me feel comfortable and confident. I think my skills and hockey improved immensely. I have had a great coaching (from Tim Meyer).”
Her game has evolved since those first few high school shifts. “When Avery came in as a freshman, we saw the talent she possessed,’’ Meyer said. “We knew that we had to work on her 200-foot game. We talked about hunting pucks and her defensive play. We knew that if she fought to regain possession, that she would earn more offensive opportunities. She has been an amazing student of the game. Watching and studying how other players play the game.”

Like many standout athletes, success also comes with the grind of offseason training and camps.
Avery has spent many hours in the weight room in addition to her time on the ice. “I have played for Team ND for three years which has been awesome and very helpful,’’ Matt said. “I have learned so much from the experience and the coaching. I also played for Team WestCan, a team based out of western Canada.”
Hockey is an aggressive sport and the ability to go toe-to-toe with high-end players and learn how to win puck battles in corners and be strong in front of the net have paid off.
“Avery is one of the strongest girls I have coached,’’ Meyer said. “She is hard to knock off the puck and does an amazing job of protecting the puck. I complain that she doesn’t draw enough penalties, but she is not the type of player to take a dive. She loves the battle aspect of hockey. It’s not just games. She is physical in practice, too.”
That commitment not only sharpens her skills, but helps her teammates be battle-ready for games. Avery knows helping her team is more than putting pucks in the net. It’s about encouraging her teammates.
“If I need to say something I will, but prefer to just be the best I can every day and hope the girls see that,’’ she admits. “I hope that when I’m done with my high school career that girls can look back and say that I helped them in some way and that I have made an impact in the program.”
Meyer has also seen how she is a leader. “This last summer my assistant coach and I started a hockey training program called TK Hockey. Avery came to every session. We had girls in seventh grade through graduating seniors on the ice together. I had multiple parents of younger girls reach out and tell me how amazing Avery was with their daughters. Explaining drills, offering suggestions and spending time with them outside the rink.”
Hearing that brings a smile to Meyer’s face knowing the older players giving back to the game. 
“Avery has been instrument in welcoming our younger girls,’’ he said. Now our locker room feels like one group. Avery knows what it is like to be one of the freshmen and now as a senior captain she has created an environment that allows the young players to thrive.”
When Century and Legacy-Bismarck High formed its own programs two years ago, it meant quite a change to the dynamics of girls hockey in Bismarck. No longer four schools representing one team. Century, along with players attending Bismarck St. Mary’s, make up the Patriots program. It found success right away and qualified for the state tournament in each of its first two seasons, including an impressive run to the state championship a year ago as the No. 8 seed, finishing runner-up. The Patriots have already qualified for this year’s state tournament and will be a strong contender to return to the title game. 
“I have been more than happy with the team this year,’’ Matt said. “We have depth all around and the freshmen this year have really stepped up and done very well with the adjustment to high school hockey. I think we also have strong goaltending.”
More hockey is ahead Avery when this season is complete. She will take he skills to the east coast and play at the College of Holy Cross in Massachusetts.
“It’s a bittersweet moment for me,’’ she admits. “I will miss the team and just high school hockey in general, but I;m excited for what the future holds for me. I’m grateful for the relationships I have made and the amazing coaching I have received.”