The Warman U13AA Female Wildcats took on the best Alberta had to offer and came out on top; earning the Thanksgiving Hockey Classic tournament championship at the Max Bell Centre in Calgary over the long weekend.
On Friday, October 6, the Wildcats defeated the Central Alberta Twins 8-2. On Saturday they downed the Calgary Fire Black 6-2 and dominated the North Central Impact 18-1. On Sunday they finished the round robin with a 9-2 win over the Peace Country Storm.
In the semi-final game the Wildcats defeated Calgary Fire White 7-2 and advanced to the championship game on Monday, where they finished the tournament undefeated with a 7-4 victory over the St. Albert Raider Bolts.
Wildcats head coach Morgan Mason was very pleased with the team’s effort.
“We didn’t know what to expect going in,” said Mason. “We really had no idea. It is a new league they (Alberta) are starting and we didn’t know where we fit.
“We took a little bit of an underdog mentality early and the girls rolled with it. They didn’t slow down. As their confidence built so did the results.”
In addition to the great team win, two Wildcats players, Reese Doig and Hannah Weseen, were selected as tournament all-stars.
The Wildcats carried the momentum from the high-profile tournament into their Saskatchewan Female Hockey League regular season home opener last weekend.
The team won 10-3 over the South East Goldwings at Diamond Rodeo Arena in Warman on Sunday, October 15.
Hannah Weseen scored a hat trick in the win. Venessa Hering and Ella Wagner each netted a pair, while Sloan Hansen, Ella Wotherspoon and Taylee Mason contributed singles.
The Wildcats dominated the play, firing over 50 shots at South East goaltender Baya Summers.
Coach Mason isn’t surprised by his team’s early success.
“These girls are working hard,” he said. “They’re coming into this year with a bit of a chip on their shoulder from taking their licks as first years. A lot of returning players who have a long memory came out motivated, put in the work in the off-season and they are ready to go.”
Mason said the team is a close-knit group.
“The girls are friends off the ice,” said Mason. “A lot of these girls have played together between Warman, Martensville and surrounding communities, and they’ve been working really well together to get this going to where it is right now.
“A couple set the tone and everyone wants to be a part of that. It’s all about building each other up and working towards more success as we go.”
Mason said the team’s positive attitude is contagious.
“A record number of girls signed up this year and that number just keeps climbing,” he said. “Having success like this helps. To have a team where other girls look up to. If you look around the rinks girls are showing up, different age groups, different levels and everyone is supporting one another. It’s great to see.”
The establishment of the Professional Women’s Hockey League and the Saskatchewan Junior Female Hockey League have given the young players higher levels to aspire to.
“There is more opportunity to play,” said Mason “As the skill level develops with the girls in the leagues, like the AA league starting in U13 the level of girls hockey is going to keep going up.”
He noted the girls aren’t shying away from hard work, as they strive to hone their on-ice skills.
“They want it,” he said. “These girls have big dreams and us coaches want to see them achieve their dreams.”