INNISFAIL – Some of the province’s best female hockey players were recently in town to compete for a spot in the 2020 Alberta Winter Games.
Female regional selection camps for U-16 players took place in Wetaskiwin (north) and here in Innisfail (south) at the Innisfail Arena from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.
“We’ve got two tryout camps in the province this weekend, here in Innisfail and then Wetaskiwin is for the north camp,” said Kendall Newell, manager of female hockey with Hockey Alberta.
“We have six teams here, 120 girls here and 120 girls in the north (Wetaskiwin) as well, both trying out to be a part of the six teams that we will take to the Alberta Winter Games.”
Three teams from the north division and three teams from the south, with 20 players each (12 forwards, six defence and two goaltenders), will participate in the Alberta Winter Games in Airdrie from Feb. 14 to 17, 2020.
Players took part in a number of skills sessions during the three-day regional selection camp.
Based on the level of skill demonstrated, it won’t be an easy decision, said Newell.
“We’re really impressed with what we see here. (There’s) a lot of potential talent; it’s really exciting,” she said. “The girls are working really hard and really trying to make the coaches' decisions very difficult moving forward and picking those three teams.”
Innisfail’s Allyson Bendfeld was a coaching mentor during the selection camp. She wasn’t able to confirm the total number of hockey players from Innisfail trying out that weekend, but did say there was at least one player vying for a spot on one of the regional teams.
“Emma Brooks (from Innisfail) plays for the Red Deer Bantam Elite team,” said Bendfeld.
“Yesterday we had skills sessions. We are evaluating them but we also want, when the girls come to this camp, that they’re learning skills, they’re learning good habits and how to be the best hockey player they can be,” she added.
As a coaching mentor Bendfeld helped with planning the camp, ensuring coaches followed Hockey Alberta procedures and that they’re learning as coaches and from each other as well, she said.
“This year it’s going to be tough. There’s a lot of skilled girls here. A lot of girls who are going to put in that extra effort so they can make these teams,” said Bendfeld.
“The coaches are going to have some hard decisions and really look at what they feel is important for their team going forward.”
