Dozens of players from Innisfail's girls minor hockey recently participated in the 2015 Canadian Tire Wickenheiser World Female Hockey Festival, known as Wickfest, in Calgary.
“It's an exciting opportunity for our girls,” said Connie Holbein, manager with the atom girls hockey team. “They get to meet people that they wouldn't otherwise meet, have opportunities to try and learn new things and have a lot of fun.”
The event is hosted by six-time Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser and includes a tournament that teams compete in, as well as off-ice activities, clinics and workshops.
“There's a tournament for all female age groups from novice up to midget,” said Holbein. “Three teams from Innisfail (novice, atom and peewee) attended this year, and we have five girls that play on the midget A team in Olds and they attended as well.”
The sixth annual Wickfest took place Nov. 26 to 29 and welcomed 96 teams and more than 1,500 hockey players from around the world including those from across Canada, the Czech Republic and Mexico.
Also in attendance were special guests and other high profile hockey players including fellow Olympian Natalie Spooner and members from the Calgary Inferno hockey team.
“They celebrate everything about girls hockey. It's a lot of fun and a really unique experience,” she said, noting some of the highlights from the weekend.
“There's a huge opening ceremonies and this year there was a glow party. All the teams had costumes and they danced,” said Holbein. “There were guest speakers and presentations as well.”
Following the opening ceremonies, each age group competed in several hockey games and development workshops over the four-day event.
“Our atom girls participated in the high ropes course, which was a team building session. They really enjoyed that; it was a great activity for them,” she added.
One of the young female hockey players to take part in Wickfest this year was Holbein's daughter Ryann, a member of the Innisfail Flyers atom team.
“This was my second time at Wickfest. I was really excited because I loved being there with my team and having such an awesome time,” said Ryann, adding she had the chance to meet Wickenheiser in person and participate in a variety of workshops. “I went to a footwork camp and did the ropes course with my team.”
Holbein said Wickfest was a highlight for both parents and the young hockey players themselves.
“It was a showcase for girls hockey,” said Holbein. “To promote the sport and encourage young girls to continue on with hockey and see where they can go with it.”
Connie Holbein
"They celebrate everything about girls hockey. It's a lot of fun and a really unique experience."
