Empower Her: Aleah Cortright

Amalie Arena. 2018. Tampa Bay Lightning.

Shanon Konger-Cortright borrowed season tickets from a coworker to take her children to a Lightning game—despite them initially thinking it was a terrible idea.

“We ended up going, and by the end of the game, we recognized players on the banners,” Aleah Cortright recalled. “I remember driving home and seeing a Brayden Point banner on a lamppost. My brother and I pointed it out. We just fell in love with the players and the atmosphere at Amalie Arena.”

That atmosphere, those fans, and that team would change Aleah’s life.

Originally from Tarpon Springs and raised in New Port Richey and Land O’ Lakes, Aleah grew up just outside Tampa, surrounded by a hockey culture that was rapidly taking shape. Living so close to the Lightning meant experiencing firsthand how the organization worked to grow the game in a non-traditional market.

“They came to my school and gave everyone little sticks,” Aleah said. “They told us, ‘We’re going to introduce you to hockey.’ They really try to push hockey onto youth, which is great because we live in Florida. Without all of that effort, I don’t think I would’ve noticed hockey as much.”

While that Lightning game sparked her love for hockey, Aleah was no stranger to sports. Growing up, she played travel softball, but as she got older, her passion for the game faded. That night at Amalie Arena changed everything.

“The second I went to that Lightning game, I was like, ‘I want to play,’” she said.

Most hockey players start young—very young. Choosing to begin at 13 came with challenges, but Aleah was undeterred.

“I was the oldest in the ‘Learn to Play’ class,” she said. “I was on the ice at least twice a week. There were eight-year-olds who could stop perfectly, and I was 13 and couldn’t stop at all.”

She endured her fair share of teasing, but it never made her consider quitting. In fact, she credits it as motivation.

“I’m thankful people teased me,” she said. “It gave me something to overcome.”

As interest in girls’ hockey grew in the area, Aleah began receiving invitations to play on travel teams. She quickly noticed the passion and drive of the girls around her, calling it the most welcoming and inspiring environment she’d ever been part of.

“They went out of their way to talk to me and be nice,” she said. “I’d never really experienced that before.”

As her skills improved, Aleah realized she had a legitimate chance to continue playing hockey beyond high school. By the end of her junior year, she had her sights set on the University of Tampa. Unfortunately, early struggles in the classroom made that dream difficult to reach.

“By senior year, I really wanted to go to U Tampa,” Aleah said. “I grinded, got straight A’s, but my SAT score wasn’t great. I applied twice and didn’t get in.”

Her college hockey dreams, however, were far from over. A friend suggested St. Leo University, a small Catholic school outside Tampa with a hockey team. Coincidentally, the Lions’ head coach was also the varsity coach at Aleah’s high school.

College brought major transitions, including skating for the St. Leo men’s team as a freshman. With Tampa still in the back of her mind, Aleah focused on earning her place on the ice.

“It was definitely intimidating,” she said. “But I stuck it out the whole season and actually got a decent amount of ice time.”

Facing teams like Florida State—bigger, faster, and more experienced—presented physical challenges, but Aleah says the mental battle was just as difficult.

“I had a mental block because I was intimidated,” she said. “Some games I was really nervous, and that’s my biggest issue as a player.”

Opponents often underestimated her. Once, after being checked, a player apologized.

“They said, ‘I didn’t realize you were a girl,’” Aleah recalled.

The challenges extended beyond the rink.

“I invited a friend to a game once, and she told me afterward that people were cheering against us and making fun of the fact that St. Leo had a girl on the team,” Aleah said. “I thought it was insane that they even felt the need to mention it.”

Despite the trial-by-fire introduction to collegiate hockey, Aleah has no regrets about her time at St. Leo. By the end of her freshman year, her long-held dream came true—she was accepted to the University of Tampa and transferred ahead of her sophomore season.

“My mindset is so different now,” she said. “Since I played with boys and it was competitive, I feel like I can do anything on the ice. My confidence is way better.”

That confidence has paid off. Aleah and the Tampa Lady Spartans have surged to a 10–3 overall record and currently sit atop the College Hockey South Women’s Division. She credits the program’s commitment to developing female athletes and growing the game.

For Aleah, it all started with one game. One unexpected night that turned into a lifelong pursuit.

“When I got the email that I made the team, I actually shed a tear,” she said. “I’ve wanted to be on the U Tampa team since my junior year. I was so grateful. I know the organization is dedicated to growing girls’ hockey, and I’m so happy to be part of it.”

ABOUT College Hockey South: Founded in 2008, College Hockey South is a 29-school, 45 team intercollegiate hockey conference spanning eight southeastern U.S. states. College Hockey South is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.