Local youth hockey players have been granted a unique opportunity to skate alongside the women’s national hockey team, as Team Canada prepares to take on Team USA in the third game of their seven-game series at The Aud. The opening ceremonies will feature the under 11B Kitchener Lady Rangers and under 11A Waterloo Ravens joining the national teams on the ice.
Marin Hickox, Vice President of Women and Girls Hockey for Hockey Canada, expressed her enthusiasm for this collaboration, stating, “They will stand on the blue line as part of the anthem. They will experience the atmosphere and energy of the crowd. It is a fantastic opportunity for us to work with the Waterloo Ravens and the Kitchener Minor Hockey Association to make these dreams a reality.”
The players themselves are eagerly anticipating the chance to be a part of such a significant event. Gabriella Darcey of the Kitchener Lady Rangers U-11B team shared her excitement, especially as a fan of Sarah Nurse, a member of Team Canada. She expressed, “I am incredibly excited, because I’m a big fan of Sarah Nurse. Many of the players find her very inspirational.”
Similarly, Veronica Sommers, a right defenceman for the Kitchener Lady Rangers U-11B team, echoed her excitement, stating, “I am very excited for that [and] I’m delighted to be doing it with my team.”
The significance of this collaboration extends beyond the excitement of the young players. Hockey Canada sees events like the Rivalry Series as an opportunity to showcase women’s talent in the sport and inspire players across the country. According to Marin Hickox, “We’re big proponents of the ‘see it, be it’ approach. It is crucial for young girls and boys to witness women’s hockey at the highest level.”
Members of Team Canada, such as Loren Gabel, are also looking forward to the impact of this collaboration. Loren Gabel, a forward with Team Canada, expressed her joy at having young aspiring players join them. She stated, “We are promoting women’s hockey and growing the game. We are doing it for those little girls so that they have someone to look up to.”
For Gabel, this is particularly special as a Kitchener native who once played at an intermission of a Kitchener Rangers game as a child. Being back in her hometown, playing on the ice once again is a sentimental moment and a great opportunity to inspire the young hockey players.
The local girls are not just excited about being part of the ceremony; they also see it as a chance to meet and be inspired by their hockey idols. Madison Lee, a left winger with the Kitchener Lady Rangers U-11B team, expressed her eagerness to improve her skills with the hope of reaching the level of the national teams one day.
Clearly, this is a significant moment for these young aspiring hockey players and a great opportunity to spotlight women’s hockey at the national level. The game is set to be an unforgettable experience for everyone involved, and a testament to the power of collaboration and inspiration in sports.