A Lasting Impact: Leah Stecker '22 Reflects on Her MBS Years and Historic Hockey Journey

When Leah Stecker '22 heard her name called in the 2026 Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Draft, it was more than the realization of a lifelong dream. It was a historic moment for women's hockey in New Jersey.

Selected by Boston, Leah became the first New Jersey native drafted into the PWHL, marking another milestone in a remarkable hockey journey that began at Morristown Beard School and continued through a standout collegiate career at Penn State University.

"It was honestly a mix of disbelief and excitement," Leah said. "I was pretty speechless at first and couldn't stop smiling. It didn't really feel real in that moment. After that, it just turned into a lot of thinking about everyone who's been part of my journey, my family, teammates, and everyone who helped me along the way. It was definitely one of those moments I'll never forget."

While the draft represents the next chapter in her career, Leah says many of the lessons that helped her reach this point were first developed at MBS.

"Being a student-athlete at Morristown Beard taught me the importance of discipline, time management, and balancing multiple responsibilities," she said. "Learning how to manage academics while competing in hockey helped prepare me for the pace and expectations of college athletics."

"My time at MBS also helped me grow beyond the classroom and the rink. It taught me the value of commitment, accountability, and working toward long-term goals. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my career and continue to shape the way I approach both hockey and life."

Just as meaningful as the lessons learned were the relationships she built during her four years on campus.

"Some of my favorite memories from MBS are the friendships I made and the sense of community throughout the School," Leah said. "Whether it was spending time with classmates, participating in School events, or just the everyday moments between classes, those experiences are what stand out to me the most."

"MBS gave me the opportunity to grow in so many ways, both academically and personally. It taught me the importance of balancing school, athletics, and other commitments while building relationships with people who supported me along the way. Those years played an important role in shaping who I am today, and I'm grateful to have been a part of the MBS community."

On the ice, Leah credits Head Coach Bruce Driver P’04, ’10, GP’32 and the Crimson coaching staff for helping shape her as both a player and a person.

"Coach Driver and the rest of the coaching staff were an important part of my high school hockey journey, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to have played for him," she said. "I learned a lot just from being in that environment, staying consistent, showing up every day, and always trying to keep improving. He challenged me to become more resilient, and the experience helped shape me as both an athlete and a person."

After graduating from Morristown Beard in 2022, Leah continued her hockey career at Penn State University, where she became one of the Nittany Lions' top performers. Her consistency, leadership, and competitive drive ultimately earned her the opportunity to hear her name called on draft day.

Now, she joins a Boston franchise that has quickly established itself as one of the league's premier organizations.

"I'm really excited to be joining a team that's already had a lot of success," Leah said. "Boston is a great hockey market, and it's clear the organization has built a strong culture and identity. For me, it's about coming in, learning from the group that's already in place, and doing everything I can to contribute and help continue building on that success."

For Leah, becoming the first New Jersey native selected in the PWHL Draft carries special meaning beyond her own accomplishment.

"It means a lot," she said. "Being from New Jersey and reaching the PWHL is something I'm really proud of, and I hope it shows younger players in the state that it's possible. Growing up here, I looked up to players from our area who made it to the next level, so to be in that position now feels really special. I don't take it lightly, and I hope it can inspire the next group coming up."

She also believes the league's rapid growth has created new opportunities for the next generation of girls who dream of playing professional hockey.

"I think the league has resonated because the level of play is extremely high, which makes it exciting to watch and easy for fans to connect with," Leah said. "At the same time, the league has done a great job of creating visibility, allowing fans to follow teams and players in a meaningful way throughout the season. For young players especially, it's exciting to finally have a professional league to look up to and follow closely."

As Leah begins the next chapter of her career, her journey stands as a testament to what can happen when talent is matched with dedication, resilience, and the support of a strong community. From MBS to the biggest stage in professional women's hockey, she has continued to embrace every opportunity to grow.

Now, as the first New Jersey native drafted into the PWHL, Leah is not only making history. She is helping pave the way for the next generation of players who will follow in her footsteps.

The MBS community is proud to celebrate Leah's accomplishment and looks forward to watching her continue to make an impact at the professional level.