[New] Dewberry Native Plays Lakeland Rustlers Hockey

Angela Mouly Reporter

The Lakeland College Kings Energy Group Rustlers signed 18-year-old Paynton Bensmiller as a defenceman on their women’s hockey team this year.

Bensmiller grew up in Dewberry with four siblings, and has been playing since she was U7 in initiation.

She said they were all new coming into the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) this year, so they spent a bit of extra bonding time and it’s been a good group so far.

“Playing with the Rustlers is kind of like having my own family. They are really welcoming, and you feel like you have a place on the team when going away to school,” said Bensmiller.

She’s studying Elementary Education and said she loves all of it.

“I was extremely thrilled to be selected for collegiate sports; it’s a great opportunity,” said Bensmiller. “It’s a lot faster than what I’m used to playing. I played Midget A, so it’s a big step up; all the girls I’m playing against played AAA. I was a little scared going in because I came from a less competitive hockey experience. It’s also been a big step up commitment-wise with more on and off-ice outside activities. I’m liking the commitment part, and spending every day with the team and coaches. My coaches are phenomenal - they will push you to be the best you can be. I’m starting to get more confident on the ice.”

The training is rigorous. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings they practice at 7 a.m., and they continue to train with Monday night workouts, and play games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. To stay on top of her game and one-up the level of athletes she’s playing against, she’s also putting in extra work on top of that.

“Even with morning practices, I’m hitting the gym at night and trying to maintain proper eating and sleep. We also get InStat which is video game play to watch the stats and figure out what I’m doing right or wrong and try to correct it,” said Bensmiller.

She aims to improve her game but instead of creating lofty goals, she is enjoying the hockey she’s playing right now and plans to work her way up in the statistics. During her game against SAIT on January 20, she set out to play a hardworking, competitive game, protecting her teammates and the net, and said she didn’t want to let the other team into the house. She was successful as Lakeland won 1-0 against SAIT. Lakeland is currently sitting 3rd of five in the ACAC with a 4-4 record and Bensmiller hopes to keep that record improving as they have only played 8 in season games while the other teams have played 10 because their first couple after Christmas were exhibition games. Red Deer Polytechnic, NAIT, and Olds College are also in the conference, and the top four spots will advance to playoffs.

When she is not at school or on the ice, Bensmiller enjoys hitting the gym, spending time with family and riding horses as she used to be a trickrider. She enjoys watching her younger sister’s hockey games, as she used to coach her as well.

To encourage other young athletes to stick with their sport, Bensmiller said, “Just experience wise, I think I’ve done more things this year than my whole life. I’ve pushed my body and my mind to be better than it was before. Lakeland has a lot of sports; soccer, hockey, curling, basketball. I think it’s great to be a student athlete.”