The rise of Secwépemc defender Jaylah Bottle

Secwépemc defender Jaylah Bottle can’t remember a time when she wasn’t skating.

“I’d say when I was two or three,” she tells The Wren.

That early instinct helped her make the Thompson Okanagan Lakers under 18 AAA team at just 13 years old. Now she’s taken her game from Tk’emlúps rinks to the university sports level with The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, balancing psychology studies with the demands of university hockey. 

Early spark and blending culture with competition

Bottle is a proud member of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, and Tk’emlúps is where her father’s love for hockey shaped her first steps on the ice. She played on boys teams before joining the Thompson Okanagan Lakers under 18 female AAA program.

“I knew Jaylah was prepared to take hockey to the next level when she made the Thompson Okanagan Lakers under 18 female AAA team at just 13 years old,” her father, Shawn Bottle says.

That early commitment led her through a series of development years that demanded consistency and sacrifice. She later joined an under 18 female AAA program in Vernon, then moved to Penticton to attend an academy while in Grade 10. 

She finished her high school hockey career in North Vancouver with the North Shore Warriors.

For Jayla, hockey and culture have always been connected. She represented Team BC at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) for several years, an event she describes as meaningful beyond the competition. 

“It was just a fun experience being able to link hockey and my culture together,” she recalls.

When NAHC was held in Kamloops, the experience deepened. 

“A lot of people from the band came and watched me. It was just awesome,” she says.

Jayla stood out for her composure and leadership, Team BC assistant coach Alex Hendrickson tells The Wren.

“Jaylah was a solid defensive player for Team BC who also generated offensive opportunities and played on the penalty kill and powerplay,” he says. “Jaylah was a natural leader on the team and was always dependable and calm under pressure. She carried herself well as a leader and younger players looked up to her.”

Building her game

Jayla describes her own play with the same straightforward clarity she brings to her routines. 

“I’m quite good at defending and being able to play aggressive,” she says. 

But what she emphasizes most is growth.

“My maturity on the ice,being able to adapt to the speed and the pace of the game.”

Her development was shaped by coaches who stayed connected long after the season ended. She still speaks regularly with her North Vancouver coach, Milton Chan. 

“[Chan] was the best coach I’ve ever had,” she says.

Playing university hockey has been a valuable experience for Jayla, who says living on her own and gaining independence has been key to growth. 

Her days begin early around 6:30 a.m. She and her roommate wake around 5:40 a.m., head to the rink and skate for more than an hour.

The rest of the week includes strength sessions, team skills, spin classes and games. 

“It’s definitely a way different level compared to what I played last year,” she says.

In both her studies and hockey, she is drawn to understanding people and performance. 

“I’m interested in how the brain works and how people act the way they do,” she explains.

She is considering careers that combine sport and care, “maybe an athletic therapist or a physiotherapist,” but is still exploring options.

Despite the distance from Ottawa to Kamloops, Jayla stays closely connected to home.

 “I try to call them once a day. It kind of lets me get a break from everything going on here,” she says. Her parents visit when they can. 

Her father’s pride is steady and clear. 

“Her drive, self‑discipline and commitment are truly inspiring,” he says. “I look forward to everything the future holds for her, and I will always be her biggest supporter.”

Challenges, resilience and looking ahead

Along with success, Jayla’s path has included difficult seasons. 

“There was a point, and it was probably the worst season, and I genuinely thought that nothing was gonna really work out for me,” she says. 

But she kept going, knowing that if she quit she wouldn’t be happy. Her advice to younger players reflects that experience. 

“Don’t be scared to try new things. Jump on opportunities.”

That resilience was visible on the ice Hendricksons says.

“Jaylah was calm and composed in high‑pressure games. She always showed up prepared to put in a great effort, and encouraged her teammates to do the same,” he says. “Jaylah is capable of great things in hockey and has a bright future.”

Jayla hopes to continue playing after university if the opportunity exists. 

“I definitely do want to explore options where there’s a possibility for me to play,” she says.

When asked what she would tell her younger self, she paused before answering. 

“Just keep going. There’s definitely points in my life where I wanted to quit or give up. But…there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”