CARSTAIRS — A Carstairs-area youth is part of the Team Canada U18 team in the midst of a three-game series against the U.S. national U18 team.
Sade Sandilands, a 17-year-old defenceman, was invited to a selection camp the week of Aug. 6 and was named to the national team Aug. 11.
The 2024 National Women's Under-18 Team Series versus the United States runs Aug. 14 - 17 in Thorold, Ontario. Team Canada has won both games played so far. The third and final game is scheduled for Saturday.
Sandilands lives on a farm about 15 minutes west of Carstairs and has played on the U15 Grizzlys, the Longhorns spring hockey teams in Olds and lately in the Calgary area.
Sandilands describes herself as a primarily a defensive defenceman, but also likes to get up in the rush.
She’s also had opportunities to quarterback the powerplay, a role she relishes.
“(I just like) being able to move the pack around, getting shots through and stuff,” Sandilands said during an interview with the Albertan. “I think it's just really fun to be a part of, especially when you create chemistry with your teammates on the powerplay. It's really fun.”
Sandilands says she started skating at about age three and began playing hockey with her twin brother Scott at the age of about four.
She said Scott currently plays U18 AAA hockey and is expected to play in Calgary next season.
“We kind of just grew up playing hockey and we would always (play on) outdoor rinks,” Sandilands said. “I've just grown up around it my whole life, and I just I love like being able to do things like this.”
“The people that I've met playing hockey, and all my best friends, I met them from hockey. The friends you make and the places you get to go to, I think that's like one of my favourite parts,” she added.
Going into the three-game series versus the U.S, U18 team, Sandilands was not quite sure what to expect, except that it’ll be tough hockey.
“They just made their team too, so it's super hard (to know what to expect),” Sandilands said.
“You don't know a lot of those players and stuff, but it's always been a super competitive game against them, so we're definitely expecting the same this time. It's going to be close, but I think we'll do our best and try win all three games.”
When Sandilands graduates high school, she’s slated to play university hockey in Maine.
She hasn’t decided yet precisely want she wants to do for a career.
“I've always been into like the sport side of things and sports management and stuff. But at this point I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do yet. It's something that I'm still trying to figure out,” she said.
Sandilands likes several other sports besides hockey.
Over the years, she’s played basketball, lacrosse and volleyball.
“It's always super busy with hockey and I don't really have much time. When I can, I still play soccer,” she said.
