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Hockey players enjoyed Winter Games
Mac Olsen
for South Peace News
Although the Zone 8 Rangers hockey team lost at the Lakeland 2010 Alberta Winter Games, the four players from High Prairie and surrounding communities found it to be a great experience.
Dakota Badger, of the High Prairie Young Guns peewee girls’ team; Amy Kuchuk, who plays for the Grande Prairie Triple A Bantam Storm, Machaela Rose, who plays for the High Prairie Midget A Timberwolves female team; and Elisha Cunningham, who also plays for the Storm, made the cut and went to games in Bonnyville Feb. 4-7.
“It was really fun and cool to play (against) similar teams and against some new players, instead of just the regular league,” says Kuchuk.
The Rangers lost all four games, with a 7-1 loss the first game and three 2-1 losses.
However, Kuchuk is pleased with their performance.
“I knew what the speed would be like and I knew what the competition would be like,” she says. “I was just a little bit nervous at first because I’m not used to so many people watching.”
Although Kuchuk won’t be able to play with the team later because she’ll be too old, it’s an experience she would love to have again. Kuchuk moves to the midget level next season, which she’s looking forward to because it’ll be exciting and a faster pace.
Cunningham felt nervous and excited going into the games. She was disappointed with the losses but says it was a great experience. It was her first time participating and although she moves to midget level hockey next season, she hopes to play in other such tournaments.
Badger says the Rangers tried hard, but other teams were better and playing in front of large crowds didn’t faze her. The opening ceremony really amazed her, especially the Jamaican performers.
Her father, Jason Badger, and the family attended the games to show their support. He says the teams were well coached and played well.
“There was some really competitive hockey,” he says. “The southern hockey was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. I thought we would have a good chance. Other than that, it was great for them. They got to experience a higher level of competitiveness and a higher calibre of hockey.”
He adds his daughter played well on defence.
“Watching her was always amazing and how she reads the play well. It was rare when she would be outsized or outmanoeuvred. She held her own and her plus-minus was minimal.”
She will be eligible to play again in the games in two years and he hopes things only get better for her.
Rose, who played forward/left wing, found the games “so fun,” especially meeting the other teams.
“They had the best opening ceremonies I’ve ever been to. I was really anxious to get to know everybody and meeting the girls on the other teams (was) so nice. We made lots of friends,” says Rose.
Although she scored one goal and received an assist, it’s the memories and friendships she made which will always stand out. She encourages other girls who are contemplating playing in the games to do so.
“Have a great time and don’t hold back,” says Rose. “Get to know new people and just have an awesome time, because it could be your last, or it could be your second last.”
Philip Rose, her father and an assistant coach with the Timberwolves, says the Rangers should be proud of their efforts despite losing.
“We had a little bit of a break down in our first game. We didn’t have any bounces. We controlled part of the game, but it didn’t show in the scoreboard,” he says.
“But we finished the tournament off with 2-1 losses in the last three games and the girls, just the experience and the output of all of the girls, that’s not a bad thing, if you carry away that you are one goal away from being the top team in Alberta.”
It’s a good program Hockey Alberta provides, he adds, giving the girls the chance to play at their calibre.
Moreover, his daughter has made friendships with girls from other teams and there’s a chance they’ll meet again at other events.
All should be proud and hold their heads high as they advance in the sport, however far it takes them.
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Four girls from High Prairie and surrounding communities enjoyed playing at the Alberta Winter Games in Bonnyville Feb. 4-7. Left-right are Dakota Badger, Machaela Rose, Amy Kuchuk and Elisha Cunningham.
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