Challenge
Hockey NO ONE expected a season like 2020-2021, as navigating through COVID restrictions became a challenge and also the norm. From our first day in the rink on September 14 to the last day (March 5), one of the toughest restrictions, having to practice in co-ed grade cohorts, became one of the developmental strengths of the hockey program. In all, 68 athletes played hockey at TCS over the course of the season – a testament to the passion for Canada’s national winter sport. Most inspiring was to watch our athletes demonstrate their passion for hockey. While we were unable to play any games against external competition, the players came to the rink every day with drive, competitiveness and a tremendous work ethic. The year started with both on-ice and off-ice training where athletes built strength, skill and friendship. Much of our practice time was dedicated to developing individual skills (passing, shooting, skating, stick handling), and individual and team tactics. Hoping we might still get a few games in towards the end of February, players worked on offensive zone entries, offensive zone play, neutral zone regroups and fore-checking, and defensive zone coverage, among other things. By the end of the fall season, players were allowed to begin competing one-on-one with no contact. This allowed for more development of offensive and defensive principles with limited pressure. It also allowed us to begin to compete in small area games with reduced numbers. In the week leading to the Christmas Break, we split each grade cohort into two teams and competed in a week-long competition of small area games and full ice three-on-three. The competition week had many highlights with players demonstrating their talent and working together in teams to battle for the “title.” 34 I A View from the Hill
Following the long winter break and lockdown, players were eager to get back on the ice at the end of January. All showed their resilience and passion for the game as some new, stricter guidelines for health and safety saw us back to less challenges for the puck and more physical distancing on the ice. Undaunted and often working with fewer skaters, the intensity and work ethic never waned. In our final week, each group competed in a skills competition with winners in each category being announced at the end of the day. Top scores and times were posted by Grade 11 students Garrett Joss, Abby Hicks and Lauren Jackson, with Rachel Bannister and Ben Boon earning best scores for goalies. The season was clearly toughest on our graduating players. On the girls’ side, we hoped to continue building our success from last year. We had ended the 2019-2020 season on a high note, finishing third in the CISAA league – our best finish in program history. The 2020-2021 team was eager to continue that progress. Graduating players Sam Trask, Ashley Hayley, Beth McArthur and Grace Beggs were excellent leaders and role models all season. Each of their contributions will forever leave a mark on the team as we carry on their positivity and dedication. A special note of appreciation to our two defenders from Newfoundland, Sam and Ashley, who represented the Bigside hockey team for four seasons, joining us in the fall of 2017. Their combined feistiness and enthusiasm was an East Coast recipe for success, and their passion for the game was contagious. They will be greatly missed. Beth’s contributions began in 2019 and added to our defensive strength. She also brought an offensive flare to her game that we hope the up and coming defencemen will embody. The Bigside girls are eager to get back to games and put all of this practice to work.
