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F POSITION: COLLEGE: SCHOOL: Ohio State University Stillwater Area High School Stillwater Area Hockey Association GET TO KNOW JOSIE SHOOTS: Left ASSOCIATION: TEAM USA: 2023 Under 18-Series vs. Canada; 2023 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship (bronze); 2022 Under- 18 Series vs. Canada; 2022 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship (silver) "She deeply cares about the kids that are coming behind her, and being a positive role model. I think what makes Josie special is she has this burning desire to be one of the faces of girls hockey not only in Stillwater, but in the state or country. And she's actually doing something about it." ANNIE CASHMAN, STILLWATER HEAD COACH here is sure to be smiles and jubilation when Pride, the Stillwater Area High School Ponies' mascot, is on the scene. Whether it's a big-time varsity hockey game or an appearance at an 8U girls' hockey clinic, you can guarantee excite - ment around the big red pony. The latter was recently captured on a rink-side iPhone. But what that particular group of young girls didn't know was that they were hugging one of Stillwater's superstars: Josie St. Martin. "It was the last day of Little Pony Skates at the Lumberyard and I volunteered to dress up," St. Martin recalls with a chuckle. "As the skate went on, a lot of the younger girls that knew me, knew it was me, and it was really funny and cool." St. Martin, now a senior, has asserted herself as one of the best players in Minnesota high school hockey. She has her sights set on a deep run to state, growing the girls' game in her hometown, and a gold medal for Team USA. "I am pretty proud of growing up in Stillwater and watching the girls' programs grow every year," said St. Martin. "It's always exciting to put on the Team USA jersey, but it means even more to me to do that while representing a city like Stillwater." PONY PRODIGY St. Martin was on skates by the age of 2, using the family's front-yard pond as a frozen playground and leaning on dad, literally and figuratively, to get her skating legs. But it wasn't all hockey skates to start. "I actually got into figure skating first," said St. Martin. "I'd like to say it was to get better edgework but really it was just about learning to skate." What ingrained the sport more into St. Martin's life were her teammates—her best friends. "A lot of the teammates I have now, we've been growing up together this whole time playing hock - ey," St. Martin said. "We've grown up together and played hockey together since we were probably 8 years old. It's been super awesome, and I'm super grateful for that." Stillwater varsity coach Annie Cashman had St. Martin on her radar long before she took over the head coaching position last season. Cashman's hus - band's family is related to St. Martin. T