Nikki Ferraro ’26 is a four-year Senior from New Canaan, Connecticut. She is captain of and goalie for Girls Varsity Hockey and co-captain of Girls Varsity Soccer and Girls Varsity Lacrosse. Next year, she will play lacrosse at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Girls Varsity Hockey Head Coach Craig Naclerio said, “Nikki is an effective leader on the team both on and off the ice because she’s determined, she makes sacrifices for the betterment of the team, and she brings a lot of energy every day to make sure everyone is having fun but also is held accountable.”
Teammate Annabelle Wang ’28 said, “Nikki brings a lot of positive energy to this team; she always hypes us up before games and practices. As a captain, she constantly supports and encourages us to be there for each other, which builds strong team culture.”
How did you start playing hockey?
I have three siblings—two brothers and an older sister. There is this thing called the Winter Club—it’s like an outdoor rink. We had a membership and learned to skate there. I learned to skate when I was six and then I just got straight into it. My two brothers got into hockey. I would always watch them skate, and I said, “Dad, I want to try that.”
What do you enjoy most about hockey?
It made me the person I am today, because there is so much of yourself you have to dedicate to it—like the time I would spend driving more than three hours for a game. I enjoy the adrenaline I feel in the game or being able to make pressure seem like a privilege instead of something scary. I think that’s translated into my life off the ice, too.
Why did you decide to come to Hotchkiss?
A bunch of coaches approached my dad during games when I was in 7th or 8th grade. They said they were interested in me and asked him if I had ever thought about boarding schools. I started exploring different options and talking to coaches, like a college process. I ended up here, because I liked the campus and also because the school had good lacrosse.
How would you describe your experience playing hockey here?
I don’t think it was what I expected from my boarding school hockey experience. The coach that recruited me left, so I didn’t have her. Coach Fralick coached me for three years, and now I have a different coach. I wouldn’t say rocky, because it wasn’t negative. I think the team grew closer, because we had to figure out how to make our own identity; I wasn’t coming into a program that was already set in stone. We got to write our own story.
What lesson has the school taught you as a student athlete?
I have learned to put things in perspective. Perspective is everything. One small bump is not necessarily a bad thing. You need to step back and realize that everything happens for a reason. It will make you a better person—that’s what I always say to the team. What is the point of it if everything is easy?
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
I have to drink an energy drink every game, but I don’t drink all of it at first, just half. I’ll drink the rest during the second and third period. At half dress, I put my head down for two minutes and visualize to get myself psyched. Then I go back to the locker room and shut the lights off and play “Dreams and Nightmares.” On the ice before the game, I do three jumps, then go to the net and spray my face with water.
What was one of your favorite moments with the team?
We had a harder game last year against Lawrenceville and no one did well. I was frustrated. Then the next game we were playing a crazy good team. I went out there, and I had the craziest game ever. I made 70 shots. We lost 3-0, but I was really proud of myself.
What advice would you give to athletes going through the college recruitment process?
Trust the process, and don’t be hard on yourself, because it is really tough. Hockey is one of the hardest sports to get recruited for, but don’t stress yourself out. No matter who is watching, don’t worry about it. Just play the game how you always do; don’t change anything. There is a place for everyone, and you will end up in the right place.
