ASU Women’s Hockey: Ferrigno brings positivity on and off the ice

(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)

Stereotypes continue to dominate the women’s hockey scene no matter what type of success or talent a player might have. However, Arizona State women’s hockey freshman forward Jessica Ferrigno is a player who breaks those stereotypes.

Ferrigno didn’t always find herself on the ice. For a long period, she played field hockey. Then, her field hockey coach convinced her to join the high school hockey team even though she didn’t know how to skate.

“I went to the first practice and I was like, ‘I can do this,'” Ferrigno said. “I stepped onto the ice for the first time and I literally wiped out and everybody was shocked, but they all came and picked me up … That’s when I knew hockey was the most inclusive sport that I had ever played.”

Originally, Ferrigno wasn’t going to play hockey in college due to an injury to her neck in high school that left a scary image in her head about playing again. But, the moment she saw the Sun Devils in the spring, she fell in love with the program and needed to be a part of the team.

“She had explained her hockey background and just character-wise, her hard work and everything like that, we just knew that those type of characteristics and traits are what fit our program,” said head coach Lindsey Ellis. “We were excited to have someone that’s so excited to be part of (ASU hockey) and grow this with us.”

Ferrigno’s family has a vacation home in Buckeye to escape the cold weather in Monroe, Connecticut. After years of traveling to Arizona, it only seemed fitting to become a Sun Devil.

Undeterred by her family living on the other side of the country, Ferrigno hasn’t had a tough time adapting to not having her parents at every game like they used to be.

“The girls are like my family, they have taken on this big sister/protective role for me,” Ferrigno said. “I definitely feel like even if I am kind of alone here, I have the girls to go to.”

Ferrigno’s family dynamic helped her shape herself into the person she is today. Growing up, she was very open with the fact that she has two moms and a dad.

However, once she got older, people made snarky comments, such as implying that she is a lesbian like her moms.

These comments didn’t stop her from growing into a positive and upbeat woman, however. Her persistence to have a positive attitude has brought waves to ASU’s team.

“It’s really nice because not everybody, including me, is in the best spirits all the time, but she wants to keep everybody happy or in a good mood,” said assistant captain Dannika Borges.

Ferrigno builds upon her hockey knowledge with a great attitude and always working hard during practices and games.

“In the Midland game before she got hurt, she took down one of their top scorers by our bench and the whole bench erupted,” said Ellis. “She makes it count when she’s out there.”

Ferrigno is never afraid to ask for help because of her drive and passion for the game.

“I’m just grateful to be a part of team,” she said. “These girls give me an opportunity to better myself every single day and I really appreciate that.”