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Exceptional Season for Wranglers U13 Female Hockey Team
Exceptional Season for Wranglers U13 Female Hockey Team
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Members of the Vegreville Wranglers U13 Female Hockey Team had an exceptional season earning the league title and trip to Provincials.
Reflecting on the season, Head Coach Trevor Zacharkiw, stated: “It was a successful year for Female hockey back in Vegreville after a nearly 18 year absence.
Nine teams made up the U 13 division in The East Central Alberta Female Hockey League. Our team, comprised 15 young ladies from the Vegreville, Mundare, Mannville, Vilna and Sherwood Park areas.
Our main focus was to create an enjoyable and inclusive atmosphere for the girls both on and off the ice. There was a four year age spread between the girls and their experience ranged from playing eight years to first year hockey players. First thing I told the team was to remember why they are here, “For the love of the game!"
I said if you don't enjoy playing and being here then it won't be a successful season by any measures. The girls really came together to make some lasting memories.
Ultimately, my goal has always been to win a league banner. The Wranglers played a 16 game season with 13 wins, two losses and one tie. Both of our losses came from Lloydminster 582 Team. We beat Saddle Lake in the first round of playoffs and went on to play the Irma Aces. That game came down to overtime and finally a shootout where we won in the sixth round. Third and final round was against Lloyd. We won the first game 2-0 and the second game went to an exciting OT win 4-3. With that we won the league banner and secured a spot in Provincials.
Very exciting times for the whole team. It's truly a team game and without input from all the girls and them buying into the coaches philosophies we could not have accomplished what we did. Out of the top 50 players in the league, we had two players in the top 5 and 8 in total. Regular season leader was Paiten Axten with 28 goals and 17 assists for 45 points followed closely by Annabelle Zacharkiw with 22 goals and 21 assist for 43 points. In the playoffs Annabelle combined for 15 points, nine goals and six assists, and Paiten was right behind with 14 points, seven goals and seven assists.
Our goalies also finished with a very respective fourth and fifth spots. Goalies Bethany Blackwell with a .899 save percentage and 2.22 goals against, and Emma Fundytus .885 save percentage and 2.33 GAA.
Overall, Zacharkiw said, “I was extremely happy with the development of each player. Some developed more skillfully as the year went on, others showed an increase in maturity and leadership roles.”
Provincials were held in Stettler from March 28-30. “It was an awesome experience. The league placed us in the A side and competition was fierce. Most of the teams there go through a tryout process to select the best players with the remaining going to the B side teams. Although we didn't win any games, the scores were close and the play was fast. The girls never quit, played at the best of their ability, and represented the Association and team perfectly.
Provincials might be a once in a lifetime experience for some of them, and the host town of Stettler made them feel like Champions, from the swag, team banquet and games, and overall sportsmanship of all the teams.
I really want to thank everyone for all the support they have given to the team this year. From the Association holding ID skates and reducing player fees, community donations towards apparel, and mostly to all the parents for everything they do for the players. Hearing well wishes and good vibes around town surely means we must have had a positive impact on the growth of female hockey.
It has been a great pleasure to coach an all-female team. It was inspiring to see how the teams competed so hard against each other but yet how much sportsmanship and respect they had for each other. From on ice hugs, dancing and off ice messages to each other.
After coaching co-ed the last couple years, I saw firsthand the advantages of all female teams. The girls felt more comfortable taking chances and making mistakes. They don't feel that they are inferior and worried about what the boys might think or say. I encourage more females to try the sport and learn from the "greatest sport on ice!"
