GRAND RAPIDS – Team USA announced the roster for the women's hockey team to play at the 2019 FISU Winter Universiade on Thursday. One of the players selected was Grand Rapids' own Jaiden Forrest.
 
Jaiden, 20, took a rather unusual route to make it to Team USA. She started out as a figure skater in her early years, however decided hockey was more of her game at the age of 12. She was a natural, and joined the Selects Hockey program, one of the premier hockey development programs in North America. She traveled overseas with Selects on three separate occasions. She traveled with the 16-under team to the Czech Republic in 2011, and played for the 19-under team in 2014 in Hungary and 2016 in a trip to Germany.
 
Forrest has also been on the USA hockey radar for over half a decade, as she attended the US Regional Player Development Camp from 2012 to 2014, as well as being invited to the US National Player Development Camp in 2013.
 
Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey Association (GRAHA) General Manager Jean Laxton has overseen Forrest's development since day one, and is proud of what she has accomplished in her career.
 
"Jaiden came over to GRAHA from the figure skating program, obviously with a great skating background and her love for hockey it was an easy transition. She's an excellent player, is a leader, and her work ethic is exceptional."
 
Forrest's character has also been one of her strong-suits. Character that she has shown both on and off the ice going up through the ranks. She has become a role model around the West Michigan hockey community.
 
"Having played with GRAHA," Laxton mentioned. "played college hockey, and now with Team USA, it helps us show the younger players that there are many opportunities for girls' hockey in West Michigan."
 
In the 2014-2015 season, she played for the GRAHA 19-Under team, where she had an incredible season, scoring 64 points in 40 games, earning the title of Team MVP. However, in the State Finals, she dislocated her shoulder, keeping her off the ice for almost two years.
 
"I knew that my hopes of playing NCAA D1 after my injury were very slim. I was very upset that my body would not allow me to accomplish my dreams. I was to the point of almost quitting the sport I love, but then I found out about the possible opportunities that ACHA D1 had to offer."
 
That was when Forrest enrolled at Davenport University, and would make her way on to the Panther lineup in the fall of 2016. After a promising rookie year, she became Davenport's best offensive weapon, scoring 20 points in 21 games in the 2017-2018 season. This past season was her best since joining the Panthers. In 23 games, she scored 19 goals and 18 assists. Her 37-point season is the second-best single season total in the program's history.
 
She leaves the Panthers with the fourth-most points in DU history with 65 points in 67 games, with her 38 goals putting her second all-time at Davenport. Forrest knows her experiences at Davenport will take her well past the World University Games.
 
"Davenport has taught me that no matter how hard it might get, do not let it break you and never give up. I learned to believe in myself and to know that no matter what obstacles I will face, they are there to change your direction, not destroy your
goals."
 
Forrest's hard work and dedication has given her the opportunity to represent the United States on the world stage. When Jaiden received the call, she had herself a feeling of gratitude, as well as excitement.
 
"When I got the news that I had made the team and will be playing with Team USA in Russia, my initial reaction was complete excitement and honored to be able to represent both Davenport University and USA at such a high level. I could not believe it was really happening, that is the feeling you get when your dreams come true, and when all of your hard work over the years finally pays off."
 
Forrest wants to bring her mental strength and skills she has built with the Panthers to the American lineup in Krasnoyarsk.
 
"I have been fortunate to have had very experienced hockey coaches over the years. They have taught me to be a very versatile player and to never give up no matter what the situation is. I can play center, wing, defense, and bring lots of speed and energy to the team."
 
Team USA will look to build off their third-place finish they achieved in Kazakhstan back in 2017.
 
Forrest will become the fourth Panther to play for Team USA, and only the second woman to receive the opportunity. Caitlin Nosanov played for the Americans back in 2015, while Phil Wendecker and Bob Collar played for the men's squad in 2013 and 2015, respectively.
 
You can follow Team USA throughout the tournament in Russia by clicking here.
 
Story by: Tyler Kuehl
 
Picture credit: Alexis Hoffman