How It All Started

Hear Why Toni Ann Miano Started Eagles Elite Sports...

How does one fall in love with hockey growing up in the Bronx, New York?
With 4 older male cousins, 2 brothers and 1 sister – let’s just say the skates were on my feet before I had the chance to walk.
I grew up in a rink watching my brother and cousins play hockey – while my sister was playing with her dolls in the warm room, my nose was up against the glass, shivering as I watched the game up close with my Dad. Shortly after, I got my first pair of skates.

I remember my first-time skating – I spent more time on the ice than actually skating. However, I wouldn’t get off the ice – I loved every second out there, I would try running, fall down, bash my elbow, take other people out. My Dad was tired of seeing me fall over and over so I started taking private skating lessons with a Russian skater. I would go after school 2x a week consistently for years before I played on a team. When I was 7 years old, I played on my first official team and I was the only girl – I had to travel to New Jersey along with my older brother. I’ve looked up to my brother from the first time I watched him play; he was fast and skilled and I wanted to be just like him. I continued playing boys until I was 15 years old – I always looked up to male hockey players whether it was my Dad, brother or an NHL player.
With 3 other siblings, we were constantly playing sports and going from one event to another. I played basketball, softball, roller hockey, volleyball, and soccer as well. When I was 12 years old, I knew I wanted to focus more on ice hockey and set goals to play at the next level and eventually Division I. My brother, Rocco, inspired me when he and his team won the National Championship- I wanted that medal, I wanted to be like him! As I got older, it was harder for me to excel in New York – I eventually had to part ways with home to play on girls teams.

My family and I made the decision that I needed to play against elite girls in order to be challenged and to develop. I decided to attend the North American Hockey Academy in grade 10, in Stowe, Vermont – an invitational girls hockey academy. I competed against some of the best players across the country, every day on the ice, in the weight room, in the dorms – I was constantly developing as a person and a player. I formed life-long friendships and learned lessons that I still use and cherish today! It was because of NAHA and the dedication and commitment I learned there that I made my dream of playing Division I hockey a reality. It was when I was able to represent the USA and play against Canada that it all came together.

As far back as I can remember, I was constantly setting goals. I always wanted to be better and improve and play on the top teams. My family members were my biggest fans and it wasn’t easy being away from home for months at a time. Yet they were so happy because I was playing the sport I loved. I found a passion in hockey that’s hard to compare to anything else. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to play at Boston College for 4 years. Just like when I first started skating, going to BC was not easy. It was a climb, everyday at the rink or in the classroom I had to bring my A game! I couldn’t fall behind in my academics and I had to compete for my team. Playing Division I hockey was the real deal; it was more than anything I could have imagined but you need to be fully invested. I’ll forever cherish all the memories – good and bad – all the championships we won, Hockey East, Beanpots, Frozen Four appearances. More importantly, there were barriers along the way that I had to overcome. These hardships hold an extra weight on me because I have learned my biggest and most important life lessons from them and they truly made me who I am today.