Innisfail kicked off last week's Female Atom Provincial Championships with an energy-packed assembly at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School, an event to celebrate community and athletes.
“We've been planning this kickoff event for the past three weeks, right up until this morning,” said Shane Chisholm, principal at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School. “This was more than just about hockey, it was about the Innisfail community. It was a celebration of our community and the athletes that have come from here,” he added.
Chisholm made special note of the message from guest speakers that included the importance of education, pursuing hockey dreams and overcoming challenges in both life and sports.
Chosen as the host school for the event, St. Marguerite welcomed the Innisfail Female Atom Flyers and their head coach Randy Graham, along with several special guests and speakers, including Mike Klass, senior manager of business operations with Hockey Alberta; Pete Vandermeer, Innisfail Eagles player; Randy Graham, head coach for the Innisfail Female Atom Flyers; and Taryn Baumgardt, a former Innisfail Flyer who now plays NCAA hockey in the United States.
Baumgardt, 21, grew up in Innisfail and went through the minor hockey system until her first year at the bantam level.
She has played at both provincial and national levels. In 2013 she put on the Maple Leaf and played for Team Canada at the 2013 IIHF U-18 Women's World Championship in Finland, winning a gold medal.
“I was playing in Warner, Alberta, at the time, at the hockey academy there. I had played for Team Alberta and I got an invite to the national camp,” said Baumgardt. “It was a great experience. I was fortunate enough to make the team.”
She is now studying business at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, where she is finishing her third year of studies. Baumgardt continues to play hockey with the Quinnipiac Bobcats.
Baumgardt came to Innisfail to give the Female Atom Flyers some words of encouragement and motivation to pursue their hockey dreams.
“I'm so proud of these girls and what they've accomplished. They make me proud to say that I come from Innisfail and that I've been a part of the Innisfail Minor Hockey program,” said Baumgardt. “When I look at them I think of how it was when I was a little girl playing hockey. It brings back so many memories,” she added, noting that she did make it to the provincial championships herself when she reached the bantam level.
She had some words of advice for the young female hockey players, about hockey and the provincial championships.
“There's so many opportunities now for female hockey. It's amazing the experiences you can have,” she said. “The friendships you make along the way are the ones that will last forever, and you can't put a price on that.
“I hope they have the best time,” added Baumgardt. “This will be an experience they'll remember forever.”
Taryn Baumgardt
"They make me proud to say that I come from Innisfail and that I've been a part of the Innisfail Minor Hockey program."
