Beating her doubts; HC's Hochkins ending historic career.

• Position: SPORTS

Byline: Steve Kendall

WORCESTER - Even in her wildest dreams, Stacey Hochkins never thought when she arrived at Holy Cross four years ago that she would accomplish anything close to what she has. And when her playing days for the Crusaders end sometime this weekend, she will be HC's all-time leader in all six major offensive categories.

Heading into today's first-round game of the ECAC Open against St. Michael's in Manchester, N.H., Hochkins has collected 101 goals and 85 assists for 186 points, 18 game-winning goals, 22 power-play goals and 15 short-handed goals.

"I never ever thought any of this would happen," Hochkins said. "I was hoping to play Division 1, and when I didn't get any interest, I was depressed. I doubted my abilities a bit and wasn't expecting much of myself when I got (to Holy Cross).

"Coach (Peter Van Buskirk) kept telling me I was going to be on his top two lines and be an impact player, and I never saw that coming."

Van Buskirk proved prophetic. Hochkins took the ECAC East by storm, scoring three goals and three assists in her first game and never looking back, earning All-ECAC and team MVP honors while setting the school's single-season record for assists (22).

Since then, she has broken her own record for assists and the school record for single-season points (28 and 53, respectively, in 2010-11) and has twice tied Kolt Bloxson in single-season goals with 26. Should Hochkins score this weekend, she will own the goals record as well.

"Stacey is probably the most dynamic and productive offensive player I have ever coached at any level - and that includes some great hockey players," Van Buskirk said. "She was an impact player from Day One and only got better. To look at everything she has accomplished as a player is incredible. I knew she would be a tremendous player for us, but she has surpassed every expectation. How could anyone have expected this from anyone?"

Vermont women's coach Tim Bothwell had an inkling of how good Hochkins could be for Holy Cross. After talking to her about the possibility of coming to UVM but not thinking it would be a good fit, he suggested that Van Buskirk look at Hochkins, who is from New Boston, Mich., and who had led AAA travel team Honeybaked to the 2007 Michigan state championship.

"I am not sure I would have found Holy Cross if he had not done that," Hochkins said. "I was looking to play hockey at the collegiate level and was not getting any interest from the Division 1 schools, and...