Two local players chosen for Games

Two local female hockey players have been chosen to play for their respective zone teams in the 2016 Alberta Winter Games, which take place Feb. 13-16 in Medicine Hat.

Olds' Emma Dixon has been selected to play forward for Zone 2 while Bowden's Dylan Norrie was chosen to play for Zone 4.

The Alberta Winter Games is a multi-sport event for youth 11-17 years old. Both girls are 13 years old and they each attend Deer Meadow School in Olds.

Both are also in their first year of bantam AAA hockey, playing for the Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs. The team currently has a 9-5-2-2 record and sits third in the Alberta Major Bantam Female Hockey League.

The province is divided into seven zones. Zone 2 spans from about Olds in the north to High River in the south. The northern border for Zone 4 starts just south of Leduc. The zone spans down to Coronation.

Impressed by coach

"It's been pretty good. It's different than what I've played before. It's faster, there are more expectations," said Dixon.

Dixon is eager to play with a new group of girls and for Zone 2 coach Haley Irwin, Olympic gold medalist in the 2010 and 2014 Games.

"I'm pretty excited. Lots of people told me she's a good coach with all her experience. I hope to learn a lot," she said.

To make the cut for Zone 2, she attended a weekend camp in Trochu, going through drills and scrimmages.

Dixon said she focused on just working hard and having fun.

"I guess they saw something they liked," she said.

Dixon has scored a goal and recorded three assists in 18 games.

Skating runs in family

Norrie is currently playing right wing.

Through 18 games in the Alberta Major Bantam Female Hockey League, she has scored four goals.

Playing at the bantam AAA level has prepared her for elite competition.

"Everything's going to be faster and you'll have to think quicker," Norrie said.

She previously played minor hockey in Olds and Bowden.

As well, Norrie's mother Val is a powerskating coach.

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