FEMALE BANTAM THUNDER UPDATE…
The Flooring Depot Female Bantam Thunder played Victoria in Esquimalt on Saturday January 21st. Port Alberni won with a score of 6-2 against Victoria. Lyndsey Taylor scored a hat trick! The game ended with 2 minutes on the clock remaining due to an injury to one of our local players. She’ll be ok, but will have to sit out the next few games. Their next game is Saturday January 28th in Juan de Fuca.
It has been a great year for the girls so far. The girls have been working together as a team which has proven itself to be a strong factor in their game play.
Submitted by Rhonda Dame
FEMALE MIDGET THUNDER UPDATE…
Action around Alberni Valley net minder Kendal McLellan.
On Sunday January 22, the AV CUPE Female Midget Thunder faced off against their toughest opponent in the Female Island League, the number one ranked Comox Valley. Having not lost a game all season, Comox had outscored their opposition 57 – 8. Less than 3 minutes into the game, Comox had one on the scoreboard. But the Thunder had come to play, and with 4:30 minutes left in the first and on a power play, Krista Plaunt evened the score, assisted by Shayla Frechette and Whitnie Senger.
And that was the way the score remained heading into the third period. Backed by exceptional goal tending by Kendal McLellan, who stopped 27 of the 28 shots she faced, the team skated hard and kept Comox at bay. With 40 seconds left in the game, Mariah Westra put the Thunder ahead, assisted by Shayla Frechette and Nikki Buffie. Comox pulled their goalie and fought hard to even the score, but with 11 seconds remaining, Mariah Westra took a pass from Carly Gill and put the final marker into an empty net. A hard fought and well deserved win for the girls, with every player putting out 100% every time they stepped on the ice. They made their coaches and parents proud!!
After the go-ahead goal: (l - r) Rachel Hansen, Shayla Frechette, Nikki Buffie, Carly Gill, Mariah Westra.
Krista Plaunt breaks away from two Comox defenders to score the tying goal in the first.
One happy team!!
Submitted by Shelley Arnfield
Photos by Barb Anderson
FEMALE BANTAM THUNDER
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The Flooring Depot Bantam Female Thunder just finished a game yesterday (Jan. 14th) against Juan de Fuca. Both teams were very well matched. In third period Bantam Thunder were up 3-1, goals had been scored by #10 – Lyndsey Taylor, #4 – Sophie Vanderlee, and #24-Kayla Groot. With only a few minutes left, JDF Grizzlies scored, making it 3-2. In the last minute, the Grizzlies pulled their goalie, however they put 7 women on the ice, receiving a 2 minute penalty for “Too Many Women”. With 3 seconds remaining, and short handed, the JDF Grizzlies scored tieing the game 3-3. An exciting exhibition game down to the last second!
Submitted by Rhonda Dame, Bantam Thunder Manager
FEMALE MIDGET – Tournament Update
During the Christmas break, the CUPE 118 Female Midget Thunder competed in the Oceanside Icebreaker Female Tournament, December 27 – 29 along with teams from Comox, Sooke, Victoria, Kerry Park and North Shore. Port Alberni brought home the bronze medal after playing some of their best hockey of the season.
The only loss for the team came in their first game vs North Shore. They took a 1 -1 tie into the third period but lost 4 -1, with the fourth being scored into an empty net. Brenna Cox was outstanding on defense and was awarded the game MVP. North Shore went on to win the tournament in a shoot-out victory over Comox.
Two wins followed in the round robin play, 5 – 2 vs Kerry Park and 6 – 3 vs Victoria. Rachel Hansen, with a hat trick against Kerry Park, and Faith Lariviere were named game MVP’s.
Port Alberni finished second in their pool and played for the bronze medal against Victoria. It was a decisive 10 – 2 win with Britney Savard scoring 4 goals for the Thunder and Mariah Westa adding another 3. Carly Gill took game MVP honours.
CUPE 118 Female Midget Thunder Team with Bronze Medals
Thanks to CUPE 118 and AAA Sports Photography for their sponsorship of the team this year.
Submitted by Shelley Arnfield
Game Photos credit to Barb Anderson
Team Photo: Leanne Savard
FEMALE MIDGET Update…
The AAA Photography Female Midget Thunder are heading into the Christmas break with a 4-2-0 record.
Two of these wins came on the Dec 17/18 weekend as league play wrapped up for the break. On Saturday December 17 the girls played in Kerry Park, winning 6-0. Rachel Hansen and Kaitlyn Heck led the scoring with 2 goals each. Mariah Westra and Krista Plaunt added singles. Kendal McLellan had a strong game in net recording her first shut out in league play this year.
On Sunday December 18, the Thunder played Victoria at home and recorded a 6-3 win with Josey Watson in the net. Goals were scored by Mariah Westra (2), Shayla Frechette (2), Faith Lariviere and Krista Plaunt.
The team is playing in the Oceanside tournament on Dec 27-29.
Thanks go out to coaches Andre Savard, Heather Senger, Jordan Dowling and team manager Leanne Savard for the great start to the season this year.
Sponsor of the Female Midget Thunder Team
Submitted by:
Shelley Arnfield
Female Division Manager
IIHF World Girl’s Hockey Day – Oct 2
Scheduled to speak after the game are: (speakers may change without notice)
VIAHA – Female Hockey – Memo Sep 26 & 28, 2011
September 26, 2011 – MEMORANDUM
TO: VIAHA Executive Committee; Female Hockey Development Coordinators; VIAHA Female Hockey Committee
FROM: Jim Humphrey, VIAHA President
SUBJECT: Female Hockey
As has been stated in earlier correspondence VIAHA took on the responsibility of hosting the competitive female teams within Vancouver Island. This is a huge change from previous years, VIAHA consulted with BC Hockey last January on how to best move forward so as that the District would be responsible to declare where female teams would be hosted under the no competitive team in category. As such the VIAHA membership made changes to regulations so that the District would determine the residential boundaries as well as the carding association for each female competitive team.
In saying this, the VIAHA Executive Committee is very aware of the confusion that has occurred thus far and do want everyone to know that they very much support female hockey and want to see it grow. How this is to happen is where there is a difference of opinions. Those female players that have expressed the desire to play on female teams will be afforded every opportunity to do so whether it is at the competitive or recreational level.
Yesterday the member MHAs declared the following:
- Seven Atom Recreational teams
- Possible eight Pee Wee Recreational
- Possible seven or eight Bantam Recreational
- Possible seven or eight Midget Recreational
- One Competitive Pee Wee encompassing all of Vancouver island
- Two Competitive Bantam teams
- One Cowichan Valley South and One Nanaimo North
- Two Competitive Midget teams
- One Cowichan Valley South and One Nanaimo North
We have to move past what has occurred to date so therefore this coming weekend October 1st and 2nd, the District is organizing a series of ice times where we will have the players wishing to continue in their attempts to play competitive hockey being evaluated one last time. We are looking at having two sessions on Saturday October 1st and one session on Sunday October 2nd. We will assign evaluators to the sessions along with the head coaches of the respective teams with the goal being to have 21 players selected that will move forward with the coaching staff bringing the teams to 19 players by mid October. We are also at this time working on an organized structure where the teams can compete. For the Bantam “A” teams this may well be in the Female Midget C league as they did last year. For the Midget “A” teams we are looking at where they could best fit to play a series of exhibition games within the Bantam Island League as well as against each other, plus bringing teams from the mainland over to play two game weekend series.
Please note that where the teams are carded should not be of concern as it will be VIAHA that will be the host and as such the teams will not be based out of any one association rather all the MHAs in a particular region will be asked to supply both practice and game ice. The District wants to try and keep the travel and costs as
controlled as possible. Of course, in saying this, if teams want to travel for tournaments etc. there will be additional costs.
I wish that I had more details on the coming weekend to put into this memo but as we move forward be assured that as much information as possible will be sent out to the MHAs, Female Development Coordinators as well as team head coaches. We hope to have the ice times by tomorrow night and we are working on the evaluators and administration now with more out on this as well in the coming few days.
VIAHA has set the course. We now need to try and overcome what has occurred in the past three weeks and
move forward as best we can. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Sincerely,
Jim Humphrey
VIAHA President
_________________________________________________________________________________
September 28, 2011 – MEMORANDUM
TO: VIAHA Executive Committee; Female Hockey Development Coordinators; VIAHA Female Hockey Committee
FROM: Jim Humphrey, VIAHA President
SUBJECT: Female Hockey
As was indicated in my memo yesterday this coming weekend October 1st and 2nd, the District is organizing a series of ice times where we will have the players wishing to continue in their attempts to play competitive hockey being evaluated one last time. The ice times that have been arranged are as follows:
Midget Nanaimo North:
- Saturday October 1st, 12:45-2:15pm at Cliff McNabb Arena
- Saturday October 1st, 5:45-7:15pm at Frank Crane Arena
- Sunday October 2nd, 3:00-4:30pm at Sports Centre #2 (Courtenay)
Midget Cowichan Valley South
- Saturday October 1st, 1:00-2: 50pm at Seaparc Arena (Sooke)
- Saturday October 1st, 8:00-9:50pm at Juan de Fuca Arena
- Sunday October 2nd, 12:30-1:50pm at Fuller Lake Arena
Bantam Nanaimo North:
- Saturday October 1st, 10:45-12:15pm at Weyerhaeuser Arena (Port Alberni)
- Saturday October 1st, 4:30-6:30pm at Meeker Arena (Parksville)
- Sunday October 2nd, 3:30-5:00pm at Glacier Gardens Arena (Comox)
Bantam Cowichan Valley South:
- Friday September 30th, 8:30-9:50pm at Juan de Fuca arena
- Sunday October 2nd, 6:30-8:20pm at Bear Mountain Arena
We are continuing to work on arranging the evaluators but need MHA Presidents to step up and assist finding people that would be available to attend all three sessions at a particular level. Time is of the essence thus please give this your urgent attention, the decision was a VIAHA one and now we need to ensure that the evaluators are in place.
More details on the coming weekend will be sent out as they come available; we need those involved to ensure that the girls that have been involved are aware of the ice times and the importance to attend these evaluations. It is fully realized that some are upset with what has occurred but as indicated in prior memo’s the District has made a decision and now we must move forward in this last evaluation of our competitive female hockey players.
For those parents that have emailed or called I regret that I cannot answer you at this time, I am in Vancouver at the UBCM and tied up much of the day and evening, I am working with staff and the MHAs to ensure that we are as prepared as possible.
Again, it is realized that some of you are upset and want more answers but the fact is I have put as much information as I can/know in these past memos. Times, locations and regions have been indentified; players will only be allowed to attend ice sessions in their designated region. We can only encourage those players that have been involved to date to attend their scheduled ice times.
Sincerely,
Jim Humphrey
VIAHA President
Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association
2301-E McCullough Road Nanaimo BC V9S 4M9
info@viaha.org www.viaha.org
Ph: 250-751-8811 Fax: 250-751-8812
VIAHA Memo – Female Regional Teams
Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association
MEMORANDUM
TO: MHA Presidents & VIAHA Female Hockey Committee Members
FROM: Barb Norton, Chair – Female Hockey
SUBJECT: Female Regional Teams
I would like to take this opportunity to clarify some issues surrounding the selection of our regional teams for our female players. I have been hearing that some players and families are feeling confused.
- We have been asked if the girls can try out for the boys’ (integrated) competitive team and failing to make that team, can they then try out for a female competitive team. According to Reg 4, 4.07, note 6 in the VIAHA handbook, players may only try out for one competitive team and failing that they must return to their home association to play on a recreational team. The girls will have to decide which team they will try out for girls or boys.
- Peewee parents and those with first year bantam players are aware of the BC Hockey U14 camp being held in Parksville the weekend of August 27th and 28th. Hopefully all interested players have registered. I have heard that parents are concerned that their bantam players will be missing their tryouts for the VIAHA Bantam A teams scheduled that weekend as well.
The VIAHA tryout weekend August 27/28 is a conditioning camp for all our participants. The U14 camp will also be an opportunity for the girls to get their skating legs back. VIAHA encourages all first year bantams to participate in the U14 camp for their conditioning. VIAHA evaluations will begin the weekend of Sept 10th and 11th and no player seeking to try out for a VIAHA team will be at a disadvantage. This will give all players the opportunity for a conditioning weekend prior to the start of evaluations on the Sep 10th weekend.
- REMINDER: REGISTRATION FORMS WITH PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO TRYOUTS. These can be sent to the VIAHA office or brought to the first tryout. THESE MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE PLAYER STEPPING ON THE ICE. The form can be found on the VIAHA website (within the next few days – form is attached to this memo).
PERMISSION FORM: THIS MUST BE SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED PERSON WITHIN YOUR ASSOCIATION AND BROUGHT TO THE TRYOUT OR HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY VIAHA PRIOR TO THE TRYOUT. (ALL PLAYERS MUST BE REGISTERED IN THEIR HOME ASSOCIATION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN REGIONAL TRYOUTS.) AGAIN, PLAYERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE ICE WITHOUT THIS FORM. (NOTE: the form on the website says midget, please cross out and put appropriate division.)
SUMMING UP, NO REGISTRATION, PAYMENT AND SIGNED PERMISSION FORM MEANS NO TRYOUT ICE UNTIL THESE ARE IN HAND.
- VIAHA is the host association for all female regional teams. JDF, Nanaimo and CR have agreed to be the carding association in each region for all teams. The carding association is determined for ‘carding purposes only’. All VIAHA Presidents have committed to providing ice to the VIAHA female rep program, whether they have participants or not. Once teams have been formed decisions about where they practice and play will be determined by VIAHA.
Please continue to check the VIAHA website for further information, www.viaha.org.
If you have any questions or for further information please contact Barb Norton by email at bwnorton@shaw.ca or by telephone at (250) 743-1685.
VIAHA Looking For Female Coaches
.Thanks for your immediate assistance with this request.
.
Yours in hockey,
Robin Edwards
VIAHA Director of Hockey Operations
U14 Female High Performance Training Camp
.
.
The U14 High Performance Training Camp coming up quickly to be held in Oceanside on August 27 & 28. Female players born in 1998, 1999 and 2000 are eligible to attend the camps.
The following is the proposed schedule:
Saturday, August 27th:
- 9:00 am – Staff Meeting
- 10:00 – 10:30 am – Registration
- 10:30 – 11:00 am – General Group & Introduction
- 11:00 – 12:00 pm – Prepare for fitness testing
- 12:00 – 1:30 pm – Group #1 Drills Session #1
- 12:00 – 1:00 pm – Group #2 Fitness Testing
- 1:45 – 3:15 pm – Group #2 Drills Session #1
- 2:00 – 3:15 pm – Group #1 Fitness Testing
- 6:00 – 7:30 pm – Group #1 Drills Session #2
- 7:30 – 9:00 pm – Group #2 Drills Session #2
Sunday, August 28th:
- 8:30 – 9:30 am – Goaltender Drill Session
- 9:30 – 11:30 am – Evaluation Game
- 12:00 – 12:30 pm – Wrap up presentation
- 12:30 – 1:30 pm – Exit Interviews
- NOTE: There will be NO VIAHA Peewee A Regional tryouts on that weekend so you do not have to worry about conflicts. Peewee A female regional tryouts will be held starting the weekend of Sept 10/11.
- If you do not have your registration form in yet please check out the VIAHA website www.viaha.org for further information. Form and cheque can be mailed to myself or directly to VIAHA. VIAHA Regional Female Registration Form
If you know of any other Peewee age female players who might be interested in playing on a female regional A team, please make sure to pass on this information.
BC HOCKEY/VIAHA Female Development Coordinator
(250) 642-5723
susiesherman@shaw.ca
vifdc@bchockey.net
VIAHA – Female Hockey Regional Team Preparation
MEMORANDUM
July 10, 2011
TO: MHA Presidents & Female Development Coordinators
FROM: Jim Humphrey, VIAHA President
COPY: VIAHA Officers, Susie Sherman, Barb Norton
Subject: Female Hockey Regional Team Preparation
As those who attended the VIAHA AGM in May will know the membership passed new resolutions dealing with female hockey and the setting up of “Regional Teams”. The District was divided into regions when VIAHA was formed back in 2007, those being:
- North Island;
- Mid Island; and
- South Island.
These regions will be the starting point of forming our regional female teams; our goal is to have one team in each region in each division. In saying this there is much to get organized over the next month so as that we will be prepared to have tryouts in each region organized and the date’s times etc. published so as that the girls no when and where to go. In order to do this however we need the assistance and support of all 17 member MHAs.
Susie along with some of the Female Coordinators have done some work on trying to determine how many girls are interested in trying out for a female competitive team and have had some success but we know there are more girls out their that have not registered yet or have not been advised on the districts initiative in forming “Regional Competitive Teams”.
There were pre-registration forms sent out to the MHAs last spring and as a result we have the following number of girls registered for tryouts in the different regions:
Divisions: North Island / Mid Island / South Island
Midget: North 12 / Mid 35 / South 17
Bantam: North 10 / Mid 22 / South 18
Pee Wee: North 5 / Mid 12 / South 10
If we as a district want to be successful we must all take the time to ensure that our player’s needs are taken care of and that there is a viable competitive program for them to participate in. We must ensure that we put into place a program that meets the needs for the development of female hockey we need to move forward in a positive direction, our female players deserve nothing less! We need to work together towards one goal and that goal needs to be to make available to our female players a steadfast and viable competitive program with a robust recreational program feeding into the competitive program.
We are well on our way in our plans but know it is time to put the plans into action and to do this we need the support of all of our member associations, we need to curve the pressures placed on some of us to try and have a competitive team made up of local MHA players and carded out of individual associations. History has proven
that this does not work and in fact some would say this type of mindset has stifled the growth of female hockey.
Our female players like their male counterparts need and want to play with players of similar caliber; when we put together teams that have both strong competitive players mixed in with recreational players both get frustrated and this in turn has caused many to leave our game or not wanting to join and undergo the commitment that competitive hockey brings.
We have recently appointed Barb Norton as the Head Commissioner for female hockey; she along with her commissioners will oversee the administration of the female leagues both competitive and recreational throughout the district. She will work under the guidance of the South Island VP Michael Hanson who will deal with any pending discipline situations that may occur. We are in the process of putting together a VIAHA Female Hockey Committee which Barb will chair and Susie Sherman will be Vice Chair. We will be adding up to four more members to this committee and they will administer female hockey bringing back to the Executive Committee suggestions etc. on the way ahead to maximize the growth of female hockey. Should any MHA President like to submit a name for us to consider appointing to this committee please do so by forwarding the name to me. We decided to try a smaller committee in hopes that they will be able to meet regularly and discuss the needs of the female program. Regular meetings of the Female Development Coordinators has proven to be problematic thus our objective that forming a smaller committee dedicated solely at dealing with
female hockey issues will better represent this most important part of our game. So moving forward below is what is required in preparation in forming a regional team in each of our three regions:
- MHAs need to maximize the registering of pending female players as well as ensure that those already registered are aware of the Districts initiatives;
- VIAHA along with our member MHAs to arrange ice times for female hockey tryouts for the weekend of August 27/28 and September 10/11;
- VIAHA to arrange independent evaluators for the tryouts;
- MHAs need to seek out names of those wishing to be a coach, assistant coach or manage one of our competitive teams and provide the names to the VIAHA DHO, Robin Edwards;
- VIAHA to put together a selection committee to select the team officials for each of the competitive teams;
- Tryout registrations to continue over the next five weeks with applications continued to be forwarded to Susie Sherman or the VIAHA office along with the $60 tryout fee, with cheques made payable to VIAHA;
The above list is not all inclusive but it is a start which will allow for us to begin preparations to ensure that past issues with respect to our female hockey competitive programs are addressed and that Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association have competitive teams that will represent us throughout the year leading up to the
BC Hockey Championships in March 2012.
Finally, there certainly will be questions asked as we move forwards, questions such as:
Q: What if there are enough competitive players in a particular region to have two teams?
A: If the talent base is there to have more than one team carded in a particular region then the VIAHA Executive Committee will look at approving a second team.
Q: What if there are not enough girls in a region wanting to play on a regional team?
A: If there is not enough interest in a particular region then those girls wishing to tryout will be allowed to go to the adjacent region to tryout.
Q: Where will the team be hosted from?
A: The teams will be hosted out of VIAHA but will be carded out of one MHA, the expectation is that the team will practice/play in the home rinks to which the teams players are from.
Q: Who will be the coaches of the teams?
A: Those wishing to coach one of our competitive teams will apply to VIAHA and a committee will be setup to select the coaches/managers of each team.
Q: What will be the travel commitment of the players?
A: VIAHA recognizes that cost plays a major factor in the success of the program; as such we will work very hard at minimizing travel costs.
Q: How much will it cost to play on one of the competitive teams?
A: Much of this will be decided by the parents of the team once it is formed, cost will depend on such things as how many tournaments that a team wishes to participate in.
Q: Who and where will the competitive teams play during the season?
A: The teams will play out of the home arena’s of which their local MHA is located and play in leagues that will assist in minimizing travel while at the same time meeting the needs to develop as a team.
Q: VIAHA has had limited success in the past why should this season be any different?
A: MHAs along with the District have recognized past shortfalls and have expressed the desire to work together to strengthen the female program There will be more information coming out in the days/weeks ahead so please bear with us but also ensure that the maximum flow of information out to our female players and their parents as to be successful the girls themselves need to be part of the solution by signing up to attend the tryout sessions.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Jim Humphrey
VIAHA President
Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association
2301-E McCullough Road Nanaimo BC V9S 4M9
info@viaha.org www.viaha.org
Ph: 250-751-8811 Fax: 250-751-8812
Female Regional Tryout Application
The following message & application form was submitted by AVMHA Female Coordinator, Dave Dowling. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Dave at 250-723-1076 or davedowling@shaw.caSent: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 9:17 PMSubject: Female Registation Numbers & Regional TryoutsTo: Female Development Coordinators/Presidents,
“2011-12 Regional Female Rep Application Form”
Female Registration Numbers:
I am attaching a spreadsheet for you to complete with the names of all of your female players in your association. This information will help all of us, with planning for the upcoming hockey season. If you could complete this information for your association and forward it to me asap and by May 6th at the latest that would be helpful. Please remember to include female players who ARE planning on playing integrated as well.
Female Regional Teams – Island Tryouts:
I am also attaching a female regional tryout application for ALL regions on Vancouver Island. Please make sure this is sent out to all eligible female players in your association. The deadline for registering for regional team tryouts is May 15, 2011. This early deadline is in place because it is important that we have our numbers in place for the regional teams early in the season, so you can all plan for your female teams within your own associations. Once we know how many players want to tryout for the regional teams, we can then determine which teams we will have in each division and from which area. Once we have some firm numbers, we will provide further information to all associations and players with respect to what the female regional program will look like for the upcoming season.I know some players/parents would like more information right now. Unfortunately, without concrete numbers we cannot make those decisions.Once we have the numbers together we will be having a female meeting to sit down and discuss the female program on Vancouver Island, both recreational and regional rep teams. I appreciate your assistance with getting me the names and numbers of your players. Without the numbers, it will be impossible for us to properly plan for the upcoming season.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your assistance with this.
Have a wonderful Easter weekend!
Best Regards,
Susie Sherman
VIAHA Female Development Coordinator
(250) 642-5723
susiesherman@shaw.ca
Locals on Roster for 2011 Female U18 BC Cup
AVMHA would like to congratulate Hayley Dowling, Krista Plaunt, Carly Gill & Shayla Frechette for making the U18 Female team.
News – Details- On-ice sessions: Two (2) practice sessions and three (3) games
- Off-ice sessions: Player development, team development, fitness sessions
Female Midget Fusion Season Ends
Following a 3-3 tie with the Kerry Park Midget A team on Sunday March 6, the AVMHA Female Midget Fusion’s frustrating and disappointing ‘season’ concluded.
The Midget Fusion were prohibited by the Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association from carding their team and competing for a berth in the Provincial championship. VIAHA officials then deemed the Midget Fusion as too strong to play in the Vancouver Island Recreational League, and prohibited them from competing there as well. The Fusion’s season has consisted of a series of meaningless exhibition games, as they were not allowed to compete for any kind of championship.
Perhaps most affected by VIAHA decisions were the Fusion’s three graduating players, who had a combined 12 years of rep hockey experience prior to this year. Jordan Dowling made the difficult switch from forward to defence in her final year of minor hockey eligibility, and made the transition with incredible success. Samantha Campbell led the team with 54 goals on the season. Captain Samm Moore finished her minor hockey career by leading her team with a typically balanced 43 goals and 39 assists.
The Midget Fusion end the year with a 27 and 7 win/loss record. The Fusion have out scored their opponents 175 to 42 over the course of those 34 games. Goaltender Hayley Dowling played every minute of every game, posting 10 shutouts and a 1.24 goals against average. The team posted a 1st place finish in a tournament in Cowichan, and a 2nd place finish in a tournament in Kamloops. The Fusion were only able to carry 13 players, all of whom to attended virtually every game, every practice, and competed admirably against Midget All-Star teams who were made up of the best players from 6-7 different minor hockey associations.
With VIAHA seemingly committed to continuing with a ‘zone’ structure, it appears that female rep hockey in the Alberni Valley will no longer exist. All players wishing to compete at a rep level will be required to travel out of town to access a higher level of competition. The Midget Fusion coaching staff and would like to thank the players for their amazing commitment and dedication, as well as everyone who supported the team, and fought hard to try and create relevance to the season for all the players involved.
Submitted by Dave Dowling
Female Team Photos
(click on photo to enlarge)
Bantam/Peewee - Flooring Depot - Thunder
Coach Aaron Vissia, Asst. Coach Hubert Vanderlee, Asst. Coach Scott Clydesdale, Asst. Coach Bill Welsh, Asst. Coach Bob Kimoto.
Midget C1 - CUPE - Thunder
Coach Briana Berard, Asst. Coach Kevin Berard, Asst. Coach Brad Golbeck, Asst. Coach Leanne Savard
Midget C2 - Breakers Marine - Fusion
Coach Diane Moore, Asst. Coach Dave Dowling
FEMALE MIDGET FUSION – UPDATE
Midget Fusion Earn Split in Victoria
On November 27, the female Midget Fusion squad hit the road again for a pair of games in Victoria. Saturday’s opponents were the South Island Bantam Zone team. The Fusion appeared sluggish in the first half of the game and, for the first time this season, found themselves losing at the ice clean, 2-1. The break seemed to revitalize the Fusion, who returned to the ice to score 5 unanswered goals in the second period to take away a 6-2 win. The Fusion were again led by Sam Campbell, who netted 4 goals, and Captain Samm Moore, who had 2 goals and 2 assists.
In Sunday morning’s game, the Fusion squared off against the South Island Midget Zone team. The Fusion fell behind 1-0 after a questionable penalty call gave the South Island team a power play that led to a goal on a scramble in front of the Alberni net. The Fusion pressed for the equalizer, but got caught on a bad line change that gave South Island a 3 on 0 rush that gave them their second goal of the game. The Fusion were able to apply regular pressure, but could not solve the South Island goaltenders, and had to settle for 2-0 final score. Goaltender Hayley Dowling made 43 stops while absorbing the loss.
Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association chose to adopt a ‘zone’ structure for their rep teams for the 2010/2011 season. Only teams that have been created by selecting players from multiple associations in a given area, or ‘zone’ are allowed to compete for a berth at provincial championships.
AVMHA Female Midget Fusion were not allowed to card their team, and therefore, are not allowed to compete for a berth at a provincial championship. 20 games into the season, the AVMHA Female Midget Fusion have outscored their opponents 116 to 22.
Submitted by Dave Dowling
FEMALE MIDGET FUSION in Kamloops Tournament
Midget Girls take Second in Kamloops Tourney
The Alberni Valley Female Midget Fusion travelled to Kamloops the weekend of November 19 to 21, to participate in an 8 team Midget tournament.
After a long travel day, the Fusion faced Ridge Meadows. After a sluggish start, the team was able to expand on a 2-1 lead with 3 goals in the 3rd period to start the weekend with a 5-1 win. Sam Campbell led the team with 2 goals, with singles going to Shauni Hasselberg, Shayla Frechette and Samm Moore. Jessie Vissia was named player of the game.
The Fusion’s second game was a chippy affair against Chilliwack. The Fusion posted a 9-0 win. Once again Sam Campbell lead the scoring race with 4 goals, singles went to Moore, Frechette, Johanna Neufeld, Jessie Vissia, Giulia Grumbach. Frechette was named player of the game.
In the night cap, the Fusion handed the Kamloops Splicers a 6-0 loss. Campbell again led the goal scoring with 4 goals with Moore assisting on 5 goals. Vissia and Giulia Grumbach added singles. Goaltender Hayley Dowling recorded her second shutout of the day. Hassleberg was named player of the game.
In Sunday’s semi-final game, the Fusion faced a squad from Kelowna, finishing with a 4-1 win and a berth in the finals. Campbell and Moore combined for 2 goals each. Moore was recognized as player of the game.
In the finals, the Fusion faced a strong team from Kitimat, who were undefeated, and had not surrendered a goal in the tournament. Late in the second period, Johanna Neufeld worked the puck off the Kitimat boards, and found Samm Moore in front of the net, who hammered a shot in off the crossbar for a 1-0 lead. At the midway point of the 3rd period, Kitimat was able to restore the tie when a Kitimat player shovelled the puck into the net during a goal line scramble. In the overtime period, the Kitimat goalie made a stellar glove save on a Sam Campbell breakaway to send the game into a shootout. In the shootout, Kitimat’s lead shooter scored, and no Fusion shooters were able to beat the Kitimat goalie, giving Kitimat a 2-1 win and the tournament title. Hayley Dowling made 43 saves and was named player of the game.
The Midget Fusion players, coaches, and parents would like to thank the Coulson Group for their support to attend this tournament.
The Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association (VIAHA) will not allow the AV Female Midget Fusion to card the team and compete for a berth at the Midget Female Provincial Championship. The AV Female Midget Fusion’s current record is 16 – 2.
Submitted by Dave Dowling
FEMALE HOCKEY FESTIVAL
Aaron Vissia is presenting a pink Bulldogs jersey to Patrick Keaney, the Seattle Phoenix coach. It has the name Schwarz and #17 on it because their team have dedicated their season to Mandi Schwartz who is a female hockey player from Saskatchewan. She plays for the Yale University Bulldogs and has leukemia. She is in Seattle undergoing a core blood transfusion, radiation and chemo. All of the girls on the team wear a patch with #17 on their jersey. When they got home they presented the jersey to her.
The photo below is both the Seattle team and a Port Alberni Peewee/Bantam team that we put together just for the festival. Port Alberni won the game on Saturday 5 – 3 and the teams tied 2 -2 on Sunday. The teams were very evenly matched. Thirteen players came up from Seattle, one team member couldn’t make it. But those 14 girls represent their entire female Peewee division (and they needed a couple of Bantams to make up a team). That is in a city of close to 1 million people. Shows you how advanced our female program is.
September 28, 2010
This photo (below) was sent from the Seattle Peewee team that came up for the Female Hockey Festival.
Seattle Phoenix player Stefani Wachter (L) presented the pink AV Bulldogs jersey to Mandi Schwartz at the UW Medical Centre where she is undergoing cancer treatment. She was excited to receive the jersey as her brother Jaden Schwartz (picked #14 by St Louis in this year’s NHL draft) played in the Multiplex at the Worlds in 2009.
(Submitted to AVMHA by Shelley Arnfield)
