Hannah Mousek and Taryn Baumgardt were selected to the U-18 Alberta women's hockey team that will be competing at the 2011 National Women's Under 18 championship in Saguenay, Quebec from Nov. 2 to 6. The Olds and Innisfail players were selected for the team late last week.
Stu Pietersma, coach of the team, said one of the things that made Mousek and Baumgardt stand out was their vision on the ice.
“One of the things that made them stand out is their vision on the ice. They're both very dependable defencemen, very responsible. They're able to play on ice with confidence. Both of them also have the added experience of being members of this team last year, winning gold at the Canada Winter Games, so that experience also probably helped their confidence,” he said.
Pietersma said the two players also exemplify leadership.
“They live the expectation of the coaches,” he said.
Mousek said because she tore her MCL earlier this year in May, she didn't attend the top 46 camp earlier this summer.
She did attend the Regina camp last week however. Mousek said a lot of strength training went into her recovery, which allowed her to come back so soon.
“Just a lot of strength training for my leg … just tried to work hard,” she said.
Mousek said she hopes Team Alberta can continue to improve over its gold medal performance last season at the Canada Winter Games. Team Alberta went undefeated.
“I guess we'll just try to build off what we did last year … kind of work toward the same goals,” she said.
Baumgardt said she felt privileged to be able to return to the team this year, against some tough competition during the selection process.
“I'm really excited. It's a great opportunity (to represent Alberta). It's always really competitive at these camps and I think every year the girls are … always improving,” she said.
Baumgardt said Team Alberta should put in another strong performance again this year.
“I think we'll be fairly competitive at this year's championships,” she said.
Both Mousek and Baumgardt played their hockey last year for the Red Deer Midget AAA Sutter Fund Chiefs in the Alberta Major Midget Female Hockey League.
