Jenna Scanlon

By Kara Walser
UWRF Sports Information

Falcon junior Jenna Scanlon has plenty to look forward to every time she steps on the ice with the women's hockey team.

Scanlon, a left wing and center, explains that the unexplainable feeling she gets playing the game is what keeps bringing her back out onto the ice. "The thing I love most about this sport is the physical play and the adrenaline rush I get when I am on the ice," she says.

The feeling must be strong. Scanlon has been playing hockey for 12 years now. "I started playing ever since I could walk."

She owes some of that credit to her dad and brothers. "My three older brothers played both hockey and soccer and my dad is the coach of both sports, so I basically breathed hockey and soccer growing up," she says. "My brothers are also a big part of who I am today because growing up, watching them shine on the ice and their love for the game, had always made me tell myself that I wanted to be just like them."

"My dad is my biggest role model because he has always believed in me and has taught me everything I know in athletics," Scanlon explains.

She can't forget to mention another special person in her life. "My mom is my best friend in the whole world," she says. Scanlon is the daughter of Charlie and Barb Scanlon of Apple Valley, Minn.

She has a great relationship with her mom, especially when it comes to shopping. "I love to go shopping, with my mom in particular because she is my absolute best friend," she says. "I don't have a favorite store, I just love going to the mall. But if I had to choose I would have to say Wet Seal, Forever 21, and Victoria's Secret. I love jeans and purses.   A girl can never have enough jeans or purses and that's the best part."

Scanlon also likes to eat, sleep, exercise, watch movies and cuddle with her Yorkshire dog, Wickett, in her free time. "My favorite movie would have to be The Goonies and I love anything with Kate Hudson." Another big part of her day is a nap. "A nap is a part of my daily routine," she says.

Besides sleeping and hockey, Scanlon is working on a degree in speech communications. "I chose speech communications as my major because it opens the doors to a lot of career possibilities and I love the relaxed and spontaneous atmosphere of the classes," she says.

She hasn't planned on anything serious after graduation because she doesn't know where life will take her at the moment. "I am just taking one day at a time and I know I will end up in the right place for me."

Scanlon has always dreamed of one day working for an airline because of her love of traveling.   She would also like to work in an elementary school in the future.

Scanlon, for the moment, is happy just playing hockey. In her sophomore year with the Falcons, she earned honorable mention to the All-NCHA team after playing in all 27 games and scoring 13 goals and 16 points.   She was named the NCHA Player of the Week on Feb. 13 and the team's Player of the week on Jan. 23 and Feb. 13.

"She brings a lot to the team as a worker and a leader. She leads by example," says Falcon Coach Joe Cranston. "She has that toughness in her attitude, and she just gets the job done."

Scanlon is second on the team in scoring with 10 goals and 19 points in 23 games. She has scored three power-play goals and got the game-winner in a 2-1 overtime win over Lake Forest on Jan. 20 at Hunt Arena.

Scanlon chose to come to UWRF because of her hockey career. "I knew I couldn't hang up my skates that easily after high school and the rink is what won me over. I absolutely love it here," she says. "My college experience has been a roller coaster of emotions and I wouldn't change it for the world."

"She has really paid the price for her success. She is one of our most improved players over the past three years," says Cranston. "Jenna is a player who spends a great deal of the time winning battles on the ice, in the corners and in front of the net. I really don't think the other teams like playing against her because of her physical style of play."