Butera commits to Division 1 school

By Mark Ribble

LEAMINGTON — Another Leamington-born female hockey player is getting set to make her mark on the hockey world.

Milana Butera, who began her hockey career in the Southpoint Minor Hockey system, has committed to an NCAA Division 1 college to further her career and education.

The Grade 11 Cardinal Carter student will attend Long Island University after she graduates high school.

The Long Island University Sharks are the reigning New England Women’s Hockey Alliance champions.

Milana played for the Chatham Outlaws Bantam ‘A’ team that won the 2018 Lower Lakes championship.

Milana Butera

She spent last season as a forward with the PWHL’s Southwest Wildcats.

She is committed to LIU for 2023 and hopes that the COVID situation doesn’t slow things down in that regard. While undecided on her academic path, she’s partial to the sciences and business.

She credits her parents, Rick and Kellie and her brother Dante, with helping her with her training regimen and always being there to support her.

“I’m thankful to my family, who have all been there and supported me,” she said. She’s excited about attending LIU, which has close proximity to the ocean and is only 45 minutes outside of New York City.

As she awaits the nod to head to Long Island, she’ll complete her studies at Cardinal Carter and suit up for the Southwest Wildcats whenever the hockey resumes.