A dream came true for 16-year-old Airdronian Farah Walker on August 13. She was named to Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 team. 

"We were all sitting in a meal room and then we got sent up to an office with our head coach to assistant coaches and the goalie coach and Gina Kingsbury (Director of Hockey Operations). She escorted us to the room and then that's how we found out," Walker said. "When I found out I think I was so overwhelmed with all of these emotions. I feel like that's every little kid's dream." 

Walker, who is a goaltender, was one of two athletes on the roster from Alberta. Maya Serdachny, who plays on the defensive line was the second, hailing from Edmonton. But the road to success for Walker has been one born of dedication, dedication and skill that she has honed since she was a toddler. 

"Every single day, since I was four; every single day I've put in an effort. Whether it's waking up at 5 A.M. to go to the rink or working out for two hours every day with my teammates. It's hard work and grit," Walker said. "As soon as I found out I made it, it made me feel so satisfied because I had put in all of that work and all of that effort." 

Canada won all four matches in the annual U18 summer series against the United States, starting with Finland on Sunday, August 14. Walker had 41 minutes of ice time with 10 saves in the series. In the three games against the U.S., she said it was the first time in the program's history that Canada swept the series. But even with all her hard work and skill, there was a bit of nervousness on the ice.  

"I had a lot of family there watching, a lot of scouts, a lot of [other] people, like the younger girls from all the minor [hockey] associations from Airdrie. But I think the excitement of being there and representing our country overrules it," she said. "As soon as you get on the ice and you realize why you're wearing this logo, [the nerves] go away." 

Walker will now be attending the Okanagan Hockey Academy (OHA) in Penticton, B.C, and then hopefully onto Hockey Canada's National Women's team. Walker said one of her main inspirations is the current goalie on Hockey Canada's Women's team. 

"Kristen Campbell. I've always admired her. She coached me two years ago when I played at the Edge. She was one of my goalie coaches [back then] and then being able to train with her these past two summers, it's been unbelievable just getting to watch the habits that make her a champion and really push her to win all the gold medals that she has, that's the biggest thing." 

But just as passionate as she is on the ice, Walker also has plenty of hobbies and interests outside of hockey. 

"My friends and I enjoy playing Spikeball. We always love to get competitive and play games when we're outside the rink because I think competitiveness just kind of lives in our daily life and you can't get rid of it, or just coming to my cabin to hang out and chill and go surfing." 

While Walker's life is all about athletics, she does also love a good Netflix binge. Her go-to favourite? Grey's Anatomy. 

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