Kapusta sniping her way to breakout campaign

Braya Kapusta has been a difference maker wherever she’s been this season.

The 18-year-old is in the midst of a breakout campaign on the ice, as she’s torched opposing defences across multiple leagues.

Kapusta has been one of the best forwards in U18 AAA, scoring 36 goals and notching 52 points across 43 games (including tournaments) for the Winnipeg Avros of the Manitoba Female Hockey League. In league play, she’s second in goals with 16 and tied for third in points with 24 in 19 games.

Kapusta is also stringing together one of the most prolific seasons in recent memory in the Manitoba Women’s High School Hockey League.

The Grade 12 student-athlete has played in just eight games for the Dakota Lancers this season but still leads the league’s top division with 24 snipes and 31 points, averaging 3.88 points per game.

“She’s really one of those girls that don’t come around often,” said Kyle Ridler, head coach of the Dakota Lancers.

Kapusta, also known for her intelligence on the ice and in the classroom, is playing on the top line, top power play and some penalty kill for the Lancers, but Ridler is doing his best to not overwork his star player.

“She’s an awesome girl for the other girls on the team to see how good someone can be,” he said. “She’s a natural goal scorer. Her speed and her shot are her huge assets. She’s got incredible speed to get up and down the ice, and her shot is one of the harder ones that we’ve had on the team.”

Kapusta is in her first season with both the Avros and the Lancers. She spent her Grade 9 and 10 seasons playing in the Junior Women’s Hockey League with the Balmoral Hall Blazers program, then transferred to the Rink Hockey Academy’s prep program last year.

Part of Kapusta’s leaving prep hockey was to find a better situation for her skill set. She described last season as frustrating, as she was used sparingly while scoring six goals and 12 points in 30 games. She knew there was more for her to give to a team.

“She’s on our first line. She’s on our first power play. She penalty kills. She plays six (versus) five when the goalie is out. And we’ve been playing with 12 players since October, so she’s actually been double shifting for the last two months of the season,” said Avros head coach Ashley van Aggelen, who understood Kapusta’s frustration.

To many, Kapusta has been a revelation, but van Aggelen knew exactly what she was getting when she selected the young sniper early in the Avros/ Winnipeg Ice draft out of training camp.

Van Aggelen has watched Kapusta’s game since she was 13.

“She’s been talented since she was young, and her progression has only kind of skyrocketed, and I think finding her niche with us has allowed her to even bring it to the next level,” said van Aggelen.

Kapusta, who can play any forward position effectively, has been nothing short of a workhorse, playing anywhere from 33-35 minutes per game as the Avros have dealt with a number of injuries. Double shifting has become a regularity for the talented teen.

“She loves it. She’s like, ‘Give me more,’” said van Aggelen. “She is a kid who, no matter what you need, she’s there for you.”

Kapusta’s success hasn’t come as a surprise to her — she knew she was capable of these numbers.

“It’s been a little rough trying to balance everything,” Kapusta said, referring to playing on two hockey teams while balancing school and other obstacles in life, “but I’m obviously trying to do my best and provide as much as I can.”

Kapusta credited both of her head coaches for helping her manage how much she’s on the ice between games and for ensuring she has enough time for school.

“It’s very much fun,” Kapusta said. “Besides the struggles and the battles — I might not want to go, but once I’m there, it’s the best time of my life.”

Kapusta will play for just one team come fall, as she is committed to Jordan Colliton’s program at the University of Manitoba. She received offers from seven programs in total, but the Bisons were always at the top of her list as it was a priority for her to stay close to home.

“It means a lot to me, actually, because making the switch over to university is something people struggle with a lot, especially playing hockey and going to school at the same time. So I think being able to be home and be in a comfortable place, like in my house with my family, it’s gonna be easier for me than moving away from home, being in a completely new town, completely new people,” she said.

“It will be a little weight off my shoulders just to be home and be comfortable.”

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