INNISFAIL - Jayda Thompson knows what it takes to be at the top.
The Innisfail hockey player was recently named to the 2017 Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) Midget Elite All-Star roster.
The inaugural game takes place Jan. 14 at the Penhold Regional Multiplex at 1:30 p.m.
"I've played hockey for 11 years. I started playing full-time goalie when I was six years old," said Thompson. "I find it exciting and fun."
Thompson plays for the Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs in the South Division of the Midget Elite league (AA hockey). As the top goaltender in the league, Thompson was chosen for the all-star game and will be in net for the South All-Star Team. They will play against the North All-Star Team.
Two forwards and one defenceman from each AFHL team were selected for their respective all-star rosters. Goaltenders were selected based on their statistical ranking (as of Dec. 19).
Thompson currently leads all Midget Elite goaltenders with a 0.86 goals against average, a 0.96 save percentage, along with six wins in seven starts on the season. That record includes three shutouts.
She is ranked first in the Midget Elite League in goals against and second overall.
Thompson's coach Brad Koopmans said he is impressed with Thompson's skill level and confidence between the pipes in her first season with the league.
"Jayda was a relatively unknown coming in (to the league). She came into tryouts and you could see a lot of talent, a lot of work ethic and someone that you knew was pretty special," said Koopmans. "She makes our team that much more confident," he added. "We're allowed to take some chances knowing she's in the net. If you're going to have any type of success with a team it starts with goaltending."
Thompson grew up playing minor hockey in Innisfail with boys' teams and switched to the all-female hockey league last fall. She attributes much of her success and skill development to playing at a high level of hockey in Innisfail, and is looking forward to playing against some of the top hockey players in Alberta in her first all-star game.
"We play against them in regular season too, so we know what everyone is like and we have an idea of who we're playing against," said Thompson, revealing her competitive side. "We want to win the all-star game."
Brad Koopmans, head coach
"She makes our team that much more confident. We're allowed to take some chances knowing she's in the net."
