Female hockey players at home in MGHA

Posted Feb 9, 2012 By Sherry Haaima

---

EMC Sports - They all share a love of the game.

For some of the girls playing hockey in the Madawaska Girls Hockey Association in the Upper Ottawa Valley, it's a stepping stone to further hockey accomplishments. For others, it's a more comfortable and safe alternative to playing in the boy's league, and for others still it's a great way to stay active and spend time with friends.

And what happens when the girls lace up their skates and hit the ice is quite something, say MGHA organizers.

"It's really great to see these girls getting to play," says assistant coach John Poirier, who says ice time with the boys might have been hard to come by. The opportunity to play with the MGHA has allowed the players to hone their skills. "What you see is a lot of finesse play," says Poirier.

The MGHA was born in 2003 when several parents decided to start up a non-body-contact league for girls. The team consisted of girls aged 13-18 from Arnprior and Renfrew and surrounding areas and for the first year the team just practiced and played exhibition games.

ASSISTANT COACH

With just two teams, association status was granted the following season by the Ontario Women's Hockey Association. Midget and bantam level teams played in the Upper Ottawa Valley organization.

Over the next couple of years the organization grew to include teams at the peewee, bantam and midget levels.

Home ice for the girls is the Nick Smith Centre in Arnprior and Ma-te-way Activity Centre in Renfrew.

Several members of the Madawaska midget team recently sat down to talk about what hockey and their experience on the team means to them.

Kailey Hook has been playing hockey for 14 years and has all kinds of experience - having played boys, varsity high school and girls hockey - at one time a member of three teams.

She hopes to play hockey at the post secondary level and possibly beyond and says she is grateful for all she's learned from her peers on the team.

"It's just a great experience to learn skills from the other girls. I love working on a team and building on what I already know," says Kailey.

Meggan Poirier grew up playing hockey on the outdoor rink in Fitzroy Harbour and says while she had fun playing a "rougher" game with the boys, she really enjoys the camaraderie and team spirit she's experienced with the Madawaska team.

"With the boys I learned to keep my head up," says Meggan. "The girls play more as a team."

Sarah Dick switched from figure skating to hockey two years ago, a transition at which she's excelled, say team managers and mates.

"I figure skated for 12 years and needed a change," says Sarah. "And I've made a lot of good friends on the team."

Rachel Glofcheskie played hockey for years but took up the goalie position when she joined the girls team. An integral part of the team, Rachel's enjoying the role and has earned the support of her peers.

"She rocks!" says a teammate, and the rest of the group echo the sentiment.

The increased profile of women's hockey is helping grow the sport and raise awareness, say the girls.

Janessa Russett has kept a close eye on two-time Canadian Olympic gold medallist Cassie Campbell and other female hockey players over the years. She realized a dream several years ago when she met and got Campbell's autograph.

"I've watched her growing up," says Janessa.

Justine Rouleau says she watched her brother play hockey for years before she finally decided to give it a try herself. She has found her perfect activity in hockey - the once a week practices and games and time spent with her teammates is cherished.

"I have fun doing it," she says.

Sherry.haaima@metroland.com




blog comments powered by Disqus