Carol Zaborski - #4 Goaltender

1. How did you find the sport of ball hockey?
Like many players I learned to play the game on the driveway with my older brothers. I ended up being a goalie because the only way they would let me play is if I would go in net and let them take shots at me. Our net was actually two garbage cans with a rake as a crosssbar and an old sleeping bag draped over it. Being the only girl in the family, my mother wanted me to be a figure skater, but all I wanted to do was play hockey. Thankfully she gave in and I started playing ice hockey. I was actually introduced to organized ball hockey through the Canadian Wholesale Sports team. Mike Bernard was coaching my ice hockey team at Sheridan college. My brother Freddy was playing for him on CWS, and his teammate Russ Foster was helping coach the Mississauga Chiefs who I was playing for at the time also. Once a week Freddy and Russ would rent the local high school gymnasium and one of their goalies worked shift work so they would let me come out and play when he couldn't make it. Finally I heard of a women's league starting up. At first we played outdoors at the west mall, but eventually we ended up in Malton arena and, thanks to Judy Ilcio, it just took off from there. 

2. How did playing goalie in ball hockey differ from Ice Hockey?
They are very different, the puck usually doesn't dip and curve the way a ball can so you really need to stay with the ball longer. I find it much more difficult to keep the ball in my glove than the puck which is why many goalies wear a baseball glove. I love the two pad slide in ice hockey but it just doesn't work in ball hockey because you don't slide very far. You loose a couple of inches without skates and you have to shuffle your feet across the floor in ball hockey, in ice hockey you can just push with your outside foot. Then there's the heat. You don't cool down as quickly in between rushes like you do on ice.

3. What were your strong points as a player?
I think my strongest point as a player is my ability to read and react. Timing is so important, you want to anticipate what's going to happen, but not to react too soon or start guessing. I also am able to keep myself focused pretty well under pressure. The mental aspect of the game can be really tough. It's great to get caught up in the excitement, but you have to remember that it's a game, enjoy it and don't put too much pressure on yourself.

4. You played on some very strong Ontario teams who both won and lost Nationals. What are your favorite memories from the Nats? What are some disappointing ones?
The first time I won gold with the Canadiana Red wings is definitely my favorite memory. We weren't really expected to do anything and had to play the power house Dragons in the semi-finals. We were clinging to a 1-0 lead through most of the game and they had a short bench and were beginning to fade when with 1:49 left in the game, the power went out in the arena. It took 20 minutes for the lights to warm up and by the time play resumed, they were well rested and had regrouped to come at us with everything they had. It was the longest 1:49 of my career but we managed to hold them off and went on to defeat the Richmond Vikings 2-0 in the final. I had a GAA of 0.00 in the medal rounds and was named tournament MVP. It just doesn't get any better than that. The biggest disappointment was the very next year when we arrived in Newfoundland as defending champions but were unable to get it together and finished fourth. It was the only time I came home from nationals without a medal. It was a real learning experience for us though, and we rebounded to be the first women's team to win back to back gold medals (Edmonton '95 and Montreal '96) after that.

5. Who were some of the top shooters or players you remember from your era?
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate enough to face some of the biggest names in women's ice hockey on concrete. There's a reason why some of these women are world and Olympic gold medalists. Angela James (A.J.) had the hardest shot I have ever faced, often decorating me with round bruises. Geraldine Heaney was a threat from anywhere on the floor and New Brunswick became a contender when Therese Brisson joined their ranks. The Toronto women's league dominated OBHA championships, and as a result CBHA championships thanks to players like Diana Brown, Sharyn O'Doherty, Oonagh Finucane, Irene Kiratzis and Chris Pellerin. Keitha Thomas is the most solid defenseman I have ever played with and in the last 10 years, Megan Hendry. Although the Richmond Vikings didn't have one player that stands out in my mind, they were a great team!

6. What National city the CBHA went too was your favorite tournament location through all the years you played. Why?
It's so hard to pick just one, my career in ball hockey gave me a chance to experience first hand so much throughout Canada like whale watching in Newfoundland, horseback riding in Banff, the beauty of B.C. and the night life in Montreal. If I had to choose just one though, I think it would have to be Edmonton, because the hospitality of Albertans is legendary and not at all exaggerated (Although the fun loving Newfoundlanders are a close second). The banquet was fabulous; we were bussed to a ranch where they had a great outdoor BBQ. I have a weakness for shopping too so there's the West Edmonton mall, and no PST! And it was the first time I'd ever seen Lake Louise.

7. What you say is the most important trait a young player requires to succeed in ball hockey?
You have to love the game. I never set out to win championships, I just loved to play, and did so every opportunity I had. Indoors, outdoors, gym, arena, it doesn't matter. And when I wasn't playing I would watch for hours on end. Your love for the game will drive your passion to succeed. Also, keep yourself in shape. At nationals you could be playing upwards of 7 games in a less than a week. It's a demanding sport and you're playing in the heat of summer.

8. Are you proud of being one of the forerunners of the Women's game in Canada? What do you think the future holds for Women's Ball Hockey in the CBHA?
Of course I'm proud to be recognized with such an elite group. It boggles my mind to think that our little league developed to the point that it not only became a national force, it is now producing world champions. When I was lucky enough to return to Nationals in 2005 with the Barrie Sharks team, I was happy to see a lot of new and younger teams competing which is going to be essential for future success. Having a world championship to strive for will only increase the popularity of the sport When I first started playing ice hockey, women could only dream of a world championship, never mind Olympic recognition. Our women's teams have established themselves as the best in the world, there's no reason why ball hockey can't follow the same path.

9. Top players of today have a chance to represent the CBHA and Canada in Ball Hockey. What do you think about International play for the ladies of today?
Wow, I only wish that I had had the chance. I guess the downside to being a pioneer is that by the time a sport reaches international status, you may be past your prime. However, it is fulfilling to know that the young players of today wouldn't have the chance to wear the Maple Leaf if we hadn't paved the way. I think that we have so much depth of talent in Canada that we will dominate the international scene for a long time.

Career :

• 1985-1990 Madames
• 1991-1993 Toronto Wizards
• 1994-1996 Canadiana Red Wings
• 1998-Present Simcoe County Sharks.