he Penhold Amazons are looking to one-up their last season and capture gold in the Alberta Junior Female Hockey League (AJFHA) in 2014-15.
With tryouts over, and the team set for the upcoming season, the Amazons will take to the ice for their first two games on Oct. 4 against the Thorsby Thunder, and on Oct. 5 against the Edmonton Wolves.
“We had a good year in 2013-14 making it to the finals again,” said team co-coach John Kadar of his squad's second-place league finish. “This year will be different, with only six returning players. An early bright spot has been our training/tryout camp with four good goalies that showed up to play and a good number of defence women, which will help quite a bit.”
He noted their depth at defence showed early in a 5-1 win over Thorsby in an exhibition match, which was a good sign for the season.
“In terms of our offence, we have a good line so far that has scored in our Thorsby win, but we will have to see if we can continue that trend,” said Kadar who has been coaching since 1985.
Kadar has four children, all of whom played or are playing hockey in Central Alberta. He said hockey is in his blood. His daughter Charissa is a current member of the Amazons.
“I have played hockey at many levels, coached hockey, have been a hockey executive, and my brother works for the Pittsburgh Penguins as a strength and conditioning coach, so hockey is part of our family genetics,” added Kadar of his years of dedication to the sport.
While the Amazons took the 2013 South Division title, they lost to the Edmonton Wolves. They took the silver medal for a third straight year. The Amazons lost to the Fort Saskatchewan Fury in 2012 and the Lethbridge Jr. Eagles in 2011. In 2010, they won the gold medal and the league championship.
On Oct. 11 they play their home opener against the Irma Chargers and hope to continue a winning season.
The Amazons coaching staff includes Heather Kirkham (manager), John Kadar and Rick Potter (coaches), Jill Stadnyk (trainer) and Steve Dunn (scout).
The Amazons play out of the Penhold Regional Multiplex. They will once again play in the AJFHA South Division, which also includes the Calgary Titans and Warriors, the Lethbridge Jr. Eagles and the Medicine Hat Hockey Hounds. The North Division includes the Edmonton Wolves, the Irma Chargers, the Fort Saskatchewan Fury, the Thorsby Thunder and the Sherwood Park Steele.
