The Jewish Link and The Humble Toast would like to recognize Rebecca Antonenko as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. Antonenko was one of the many stars on the YMSSA championship winning Yavneh Redhawks girls hockey team last spring. TJL asked Aliza Hiller, Yavneh Academy’s athletic director and the coach of the league champion Redhawks about Rebecca: “Rebecca joined the hockey team her seventh grade year and surprised all of us. From her initial tryout she just seemed to pick up the position really well. She was always eager to learn more and work hard at the position. She accepted challenge after challenge and became someone people were excited to score against, because it was becoming more and more rare. Rebecca had two shutout games in the 2024 playoffs and came up with so many big saves in the championships to help lead the team to a championship win! Her work ethic and ability to stay focused on her goals made her the great goalie she has become. She was such a pleasure to coach.”
Rebecca, congratulations on being recognized as this week’s sportstar of the week. Who is your role model and why?
My sports role model is my Yavneh coach, Aliza, who is passionate about the game, cares about the entire team and individual players. She is also an accomplished ice hockey player and inspires me to become one too.
What is your favorite sport?
I love being a hockey goalie because it’s a position that needs both mental and physical strength. As the last line of defense, every save I make feels like a personal victory, knowing that I’ve protected my team and kept us in the game. I also enjoy the strategic part like reading the play and positioning myself just right to make the save. Being a goalie challenges me to stay focused and calm under pressure, which makes the game even more rewarding.
What is your earliest sports memory?
My earliest hockey memory is from when I was about 5 years old. I found a hockey stick in my garage, grabbed a bouncy ball and started trying to stickhandle.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
My greatest hockey accomplishment has been making the team, which wasn’t easy. It all started in sixth grade when I really wanted to play hockey. However, due to Covid, I had to be vaccinated to join the team. After a year, I finally got to try out as a player, but I didn’t make it. A few weeks later, the team’s goalie left, so I took the opportunity and emailed my coach, asking if I could take the position. After a month of hard work and practice, I started and won my first game as goalie. That same year, we made it to championships but unfortunately lost in overtime. However, the following year, my team and I won the championship which felt very rewarding after all the hard work.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
My favorite athlete is Igor Shesterkin because I love learning from him when he plays. He is a professional ice hockey goalie for the New York Rangers. In the 2021-22 season he won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goalie.
What is your pregame routine?
My pregame routine starts with eating cold pasta while sitting on the floor with my team. Then, I style my hair into a braid and put on my lucky sweatpants. After that, I put on my gear and head to my net to warm up. During a break, I stretch by myself before leading the rest of my team in stretches. Once that’s done, I’m finally ready to play hockey.
What is your favorite sports memory?
My favorite hockey memory is winning championships with my amazing team and coach. That victory was even more rewarding because of all the hard work, dedication and countless hours of practice we put in together. From the first practice to the final game, our coach believed in us and pushed us to be our best. My teammates were incredible, we supported each other through every challenge. When we finally won the championship, the happiness and excitement we all felt was indescribable. It wasn’t just about the trophy, it was about knowing we had accomplished something special together, as a team.
What is your funniest sports memory?
My funniest hockey memory happened last year during an away game against WDS. It was the middle of the second period, and the puck was right in front of me. The puck was just out of reach for me to cover it while in a butterfly position, but leaving it uncovered was too risky. So, I decided to go into a butterfly and do my best to cover the puck. As I reached for the puck, it turned out to be a little farther than I thought, and I ended up doing a belly flop. It was all worth it though, because I managed to reach the puck and cover it.
What do you like to do when you are not playing sports?
When I’m not playing hockey, my favorite things to do is to play piano, paint and watch hockey.
What is your proudest sports moment?
I am really proud of winning my first belt in Taekwondo, and I’m also really proud of my dad, who plays roller hockey against teams that are much better than him.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
Being in the spotlight allows me to inspire other Jewish girls to get out there and try different things, believe in yourself and, with Hashem’s help, succeed and grow.
The Humble Toast Sportstar of the Week will receive a $25 gift card to The Humble Toast. Please send nominees for an upcoming The Humble Toast Jewish Link Sportstar of the Week to [email protected]
