For Karley Garcia, the road to pro hockey has been one of intelligence, adaptability, and unwavering self-belief. From playing boys’ hockey as a girl in California to earning a scholarship to Penn State and now chasing her dream in the PWHL, Garcia’s evolution as a shutdown defenseman is as inspiring as it is tenacious.
“Over time… I started out pre-college. I went to boarding school at North American Hockey Academy and prior to that I was playing boys hockey all growing up,” Garcia recalls. Walking into college hockey, she leaned on that competitive upbringing: “I was able to… bring in that physicality and… I was a very high IQ player.”
She admits she wasn’t a goal-scoring star. “I wasn't someone that got a lot of points…I played shutdown D.” Yet, as she faced faster, stronger competition, her role matured. “Freshman, sophomore year I was still trying to find my footing… Then junior and senior year I really stepped into that… and it helped me grow a ton as a player.”
Draft night was a cocktail of hope and nerves. “I didn't want to get my hopes up too high… I knew I would be kind of towards the bottom of the draft.” She watched quietly, surrounded by family, as picks flew by. “I was holding my breath for Minnesota, the very last pick—and when I didn't hear my name… that was filled with disappointment and sadness.”
But Garcia refused to let it define her. “I knew that wasn’t the end…and that within the next coming weeks camp invites would be sent out.” She channeled the emotions into motivation: “I can use it in my training and show the teams what they're missing.”
Her persistence paid off with an unexpected camp offer. “When I woke up…I got that email…I was super excited—not only because I have another opportunity but my prior teammate Brianna Brooks is drafted to Vancouver and it will be exciting to play with her again.”
Their reunion adds emotional weight to the opportunity. “I was like, here we go… I got to try to make the most of it.”
With training camp looming this November, Garcia is sharpening both body and mind. She’s working with a long-standing plyometrics and strength coach, reinforcing her athletic base. Additionally, she’ll attend a summer camp in Denver with her agency—where she’ll train alongside teammates and fellow prospects.
“It’s do or die,” she says. “It gives me a chip on my shoulder… I have nothing to lose.”
Her undrafted status isn’t a roadblock—it’s ammunition.
“It doesn't necessarily make me nervous…I get to go in with freedom and the ability to prove myself… I don’t score a lot of points—it’s harder to get your name out there but I have a lot to offer.”
Even while hungry to succeed, Garcia appreciates the milestone she’s reached—from California rinks to pre-draft interviews and now to a PWHL camp.
“It's been such a cool experience regardless of whether I make it into the league or not… I never thought I would even have an agent…,” she says, bursting with gratitude for the journey and its lessons.
Whether she makes the roster or returns stronger next season, Garcia is playing with heart, intelligence, and fortitude. Her journey is a statement, not just of skill, but of character and tenacity.
As she gears up for Vancouver and the future beyond: mid-sized, high-IQ defense, undrafted but determined, Karley Garcia exemplifies the hungry spirit that’s defining the new era of women’s hockey.
