We all know that football is the sport of sports here in the Lone Star State, but hockey has been steadily gaining popularity in the south.

Texas A&M University's hockey team is ranked 11th in the west region of the country, the highest ranking for any Texas school. And now the Brazos Valley Bucks is offering kids of all ages a shot at organized hockey.

Right here in the Brazos Valley, one young women is taking it on in an effort to earn gold. Standing at 5 feet tall, 13-year-old Dani Hunt believes in 2018, she'll be traveling with team U-S-A.

"I was really scared at the first practice, but it was really fun because I knew how to skate," said Hunt.

When you first meet Dani with her ice skates on, the first thing you assume is that she's a figure skater. Well she was that at one point but now she's something else. After just playing for a few months, it turns out that hockey is much more to her liking.

"It's amazing. It's fun being the girl. Every once in awhile it's not," said Dani.

Dani plays on the Brazos Valley Bucks prep team and is in a league that allows checking. It's a tough challenge considering some players are 15-year-old boys almost twice her size, but that doesn't stop Dani.

"The bigger guys, they are a little intimidating. Normally I just try to stay away from them but I will go for them if I have to.....maybe," smiled Dani.

"Anytime you see a kid that has that kind enthusiasm, I'm excited to work with them," said Bucks Head Coach Josh Hand.

Hand is leading the first year team and Dani has all the characteristics coaches look for in a player.

"She never quits, she always tries hard, she's always working, she always shows up on time," said Hand.

"She tries really hard, she plays hard, and she's not afraid to get hit. She skates fast and she's improved a lot since we've started," said Ben Wilkins, a teammate of Dani's.

Wilkins has been impressed with his teammate and keeps an eye out for her on the ice.

"The first time I got hit, one of the guys said, I'll get him for you Dani. My team does make sure I'm ok and if I ever need help, they help me," said Dani.

"Someone hits her, yeah, I get them back. You got to stand up for her cause she's not really big. So we let them know we're here," said Wilkins.

"She does definitely get checked and (other teams) pick on her a little bit, but she has gotten a lot better and her skills have improved. It's enabled her to be more confident in herself and in her game," said Hand.

And that confidence could help Dani reach her goal.

"I want to try to make it to the women's Olympic team," said Dani.

Now the Brazos Valley Bucks are wrapping up their season and the varsity team has two more home games remaining on their schedule.

To find that schedule and more on the Bucks, we've got a link below.