Ebony’s father, Andrew Brunt played for Australia six times in the IIHF U18 and U20 World Championships. While her brother Jordan has also represented Australia in the junior ranks.

Inspired by her family’s achievements, Ebony set her sights on qualifying for the Winter YOG and after achieving a top 25 ranking in the Lausanne 2020 qualification skills test, she secured her position on the Australian Team.

“As soon as I heard about the Winter Youth Olympic Games, I did everything I could to qualify for the Team,” Brunt said.

“It is such a great feeling to know that I am one of only four Australian girls that get the opportunity to play and represent our country in Lausanne.”

Whilst her competition came to an end on Monday as the Women's Grey team finished sixth in the preliminary stages, missing out on a top-four spot for Tuesday's semi-finals, she has embraced every opportunity the Games have presented.

Arriving at the YOG athlete village one week ago, Brunt was one of the first athletes to explore the village and get a taste of the Games atmosphere.

“The village is so cool, it’s amazing being with other athletes from all around the world,” the 15-year-old said.

“My favorite part about living in the village is the freedom and the opportunity to go out and experience things on our own, as well as with the Team.”

Ebony is not the only Brunt in the Youth Olympic Village, joined by her dad Andrew who is the assistant coach for the Australian Ice Hockey contingent.

Andrew said it's "amazing" to be able to share this experience with his daughter.

"It’s something that we never thought would happen, it’s unbelievable to be here, we didn't expect it to be anything like this," he said.

Andrew said it's been such a special time in his life to watch both his children pull on the green and gold on the ice, like he once did himself.

"I’m really proud of them, it’s all their hard work, they’ve done really well.

"I created the opportunity for them and they’ve run with it. I actually enjoy watching them more than playing myself now."

Ebony has been competing over the past week in the Mixed NOC Ice Hockey preliminary rounds and has so far enjoyed the 3x3 format, introduced for the first time at Lausanne 2020.

“It has been really cool to play the 3x3 format, we are all quite well-rounded in our strengths and therefore work really well as a team," the Canberrian said.

However, due to the mixed nation teams, Brunt said the biggest challenge has been the language barrier between athletes while on the ice.

“While it has been a challenge to work with different cultures and languages, we have been able to communicate using Google Translate. Although, on the ice we just yell at each other, and that seems to work,” Brunt said.

Regardless of her performance outcomes, Brunt said she is grateful for the experience of competing at the Winter YOG and the opportunity to represent Australia on the world stage.

“Obviously I would have loved a chance to get a medal, but just having the experience and the opportunity to represent Australia has been amazing.”

Following the Youth Olympic Games, Brunt will travel to Amsterdam with her Lausanne 2020 teammates Nikki Sharp, Courtney Mahoney and Molly Lukowiak for the Youth World Championships. After Amsterdam she's straight back home for the Australian Women's Ice Hockey Grand Final Series, before going back to school the following day.

"Balancing the school and hockey is tough," Andrew said. "But you do what you have to when your pursuing the things you love."

Learn more about Ebony Brunt HERE, and follow the Australian Team results HERE.

Taylah O'Neill