A brief of the 2024 Tumbler Ridge Raptors U13 All Girls Hockey Tournament Team
Beaverlodge
The all-girls Tumbler Ridge team did fantastic the weekend of November 16–18 and ended up winning the Beaverlodge Tournament with four straight wins! The tournament had three teams pull out which only left Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Tumbler Ridge in it. Beaverlodge has every level of hockey filled with all girl teams. The TR team consisted of 12 U13 girls, five U11 girls, and a starting goalie was able to join from Chetwynd.
Huge shootout to the sponsors and people that donated funds to get the girls all geared up! The girls arrived sporting new hockey bags with their names on them, track suits, red laces for the skates and new jerseys with hockey socks. With sponsor logos on most of the items.
Leading up to the game, we announced Paige MacNeil as the Captain, Christina Walker and Quinn Cambell as Assistant Captains. After each game, the team would vote for a third assistant captain for the next game. MVP for each game would receive the Trophy and a MVP bling chain!
The weekend didn’t come without its challenges for the tournament. The manager was doing trips back and forth to Fort St John to get red lace for all the skates, miss spelled names on jerseys and jackets.
Thursday night before the tournament started off with a phone call that the rostered goalie wasn’t going to make the tournament. Luckily the manager had suggested we get a player to do a couple practices before the tournament in case. A lot of phone calls later on Thursday and Friday, Beaverlodge was able to provide some missing goalie gear and also a quick trip into Grande Prairie for a goalie helmet, got the goalie gear needed. Next was seeing if we could see if the U11 goalie was available to play at the tournament. With games already committed to on Saturday, it wasn’t looking good. The parents gave us a shout at 8:30pm on Friday that they would be able to bring her for Sundays games. Also was the challenge of getting her on the roster and a player relief form filled out by the association register. We caught the register on a trip to Edmonton and was able to get all the paperwork filled out just in time.
Next issue, the U11 team needed some of their players to attend their Saturday games that the Wickfest team thought we had for the Beaverlodge team. Down two more players at the last minute. We shortened the bench up with the remaining 13 players including the backup player goalie.
Game 1
After a tough game and loss against the Tier 1 all girls predators a month ago, we all were a bit nervous on the outcome of this tournament. Team coach speeches started with a sportsmanship talk from Coach Kevin Pittman on representing TR over the weekend and opening doors, saying please and thank you’s and being respectful. With encouraging speeches in the dressing room before Saturdays first game and some very determined girls, they came out guns a blazing for the first game. We went with only two rotating centers which we knew the two girls would have a lot of skating ahead of them. The whole team had a chat about protecting our backup goalie as much as possible and block shots. This paid off as the defense hardly allowed any shots on net.
The first game was against Sexsmith starting at 11am. TR came out ready to pounce and win all battles. The captain for TR, #9 Paige MacNeil, started it off with the first three goals. The first goal was assisted by #16 Tiegan Monical, the second goal was assisted by #16 Tiegan Monical and # 17 Brynlee Pittman. The third goal was assisted by #20 Maya Gebala.
Next came goal from #11 Quinn Campbell and assisted by #9 Paige MacNeil. The 5th goal came from #9 Paige MacNeil. The sixth goal came again from #9 Paige MacNeil and assisted by #8 Chloe Henderickson. The seventh goal came from the other center, #4 Aubrey Levesque. #4 Aubrey Levesque was heating up as she got the eigth goal with assists from #16 Tiegan Monical and #11 Quinn Campbell. Not done for the game was #9 Paige MacNeil with the ninth goal and assists from #20 Maya Gebala and #14 Mercedes Favelle. The tenth goal came from #24 Cierra VanRootsellar and assist from #4 Aubrey Levesque. The eleventh goal finished off the scoring by TR with a goal by #11 Quinn Campbell and a assist from Aubrey Levesque.
During the game, Beaverlodge ended up getting two goals by #12 Kylah Ferguson and assists from Kinley Carter and Eastyn Lefley.
#22 Christina Walker was the goalie for the game.
Paige MacNeil won MVP for TR.
Quinn Campbell won the Heart & Hustle for TR.
Bronwynn Callaway voted the third assistant from all the players on the team.
Final was 11-2.
Paige MacNeil- six goals, one assist
Quinn Campbell-two goals, one assist
Aubrey Levesque- two goals, two assists
Cierra VanRootsellar- one goal
Tiegan Monical- three assists
Maya Gebala- two assists
Brynlee Pittman- one assist
Mercedes Favelle- one assist
Chloe Hendrickson- one assist
Game 2
With a couple hour break, next up was Sexsmith. Just before the game however, a small accident took place in the dressing room with a skate cutting a pinky finger. Some great first aid was done by the TR and Sexsmith Safety’s to get it all bandaged up and a fancy blue glove to top it off. The girl dug deep and still decided to get the hockey gear on to play the game. Coaches had a good chat with the team about horseplay in the dressing room and how it can lead to accidents. She ended up winning the Heart and Hustle award for the game for TR.
Game two started with a shorter bench briefly given the cut finger on the one girl. #4 Aubrey Levesque started out on a mission and got the first goal with an assist by #3 Bronwynn Callaway. second goal came from #11 Quinn Campbell. Third goal came from #9 Paige MacNeil. Fourth goal came from Aubrey Levesque. Fifth goal came from Aubrey Levesque for the hat trick with a assist from #16 Tiegan Monical. The sixth and seventh goals came from #9 Paige MacNeil. The eigth goal was sniped in by Brynlee Pittman.
Sexsmith ended up getting two goals from their star player #4 Meadow Belanger.
#22- Christina Walker was the goalie.
Final score: 8-2
Shots on goal were 54-8 for TR.
Aubrey Levesque- three goals
Paige MacNeil- three goals
Quinn Campbell- one goal, one assist
Brynlee Pittman- one goal
Bronwynn Callaway- one assist
Tiegan Monical- one assist.
Aubrey Levesque won the MVP
Cierra Van Rootsellar won the Heart and Hustle
Aubrey Levesque voted the third assistant for the next game by her teammates.
Game 3
The next day on Sunday, TR went back to work against the Beaverlodge Blades at 8:30am. TR had a exceptional game with scoring starting from #12 Abalyn Strang and assisted by #7 Ever Michie. Next was a goal by #9 Paige MacNeil on a solo breakaway. This followed by another goal by #9 Paige MacNeil and assisted by #20 Maya Gebala. Again #9 Paige MacNeil scored with a assist by #10 Layla McAndrew. The second period started with back to back goals by #17 Brynlee Pittman. Then came a goal from #15 Ainsley McAndrew with an assist from #22 Christina Walker. #9Paige Macneil then got the next goal. Another goal came from #4 Aubrey Levesque and assisted by #3 Bronwynn Callaway. The next goal came from a defensive rush of #17 Brynlee Pittman. This was followed by back to back goals from #4 Aubrey Levesque. The final goal came from #12 Abalyn Strang.
Beaverlodge got one goal from #8 Kinley Carter.
#31 Brooklynn Bradley was the goalie who just turned 10 that day!
Brynlee Pittman was the MVP and voted the third assistant by her teammates.
Maya Gebala won the Heart and Hustle award.
Final score was 13-1 for TR. For TR there was four goals in the first period, five goals in the second and four goals in the third period.
Paige MacNeil- four goals
Brynlee Pittman- three goals
Aubrey Levesque- three goals
Abalyn Strang- two goals
Ainsley McAndrew- one goal
Bronwynn Callaway- one assist
Christina Walker- one assist
Layla McAndrew- one assist
Ever Michie- one assist
Maya GeBala- one assist
Game 4
The finals game in the afternoon was a showdown with TR Raptors against the Sexsmith Vipers.
TR started the scoring with a goal by #12 Abalyn Strang and assisted by #8 Chloe Hendrickson and #24 Cierra Van Rootsellar. This was followed by a goal from Sexsmith’s #17 Rylee Rowlandson. After heated play and 6 penalties for TR and 7 penalties for Sexsmith, TR pulled into the lead with a goal from #4 Aubrey Levesque and assisted by #8 Chloe Hendrickson. Another goal followed from #9 Paige MacNeil. The final goal came from #4 Aubrey Levesque and assisted by #17 Brynlee Pittman. All the games were finished with a three minute shootout by players of each team on the opposing for a platter of cookies! All the parents were hoping for a cookie but we didn’t end up getting any of the shootout cookies. TR goalies goalie’s did awesome during the shootout though and each one was right down to the wire.
TR Raptors won the Beaverlodge tournament and received the Beaverlodge Cup! The girls, coaches and parents were so ecstatic! Shots on goal for TR were 54-7 for the game.
#31 Brooklynn Bradley was the goalie for the game.
Brooklynn Bradley won the MVP
Tiegan Monical won the Heart and Hustle award and also voted the third assistant by her teammates.
The whole team played extremely awesome during the whole tournament and played the entire 60 minutes each game!
Next up was one more practice on the next Sunday night and then Wickfest!
Wickfest
Parents and kids drove down to Calgary on different days ranging from Tuesday to Friday. Also a parent that had to fly down on Saturday. Friends and family were flying and driving in from all over the country to attend. The drive down wasn’t without its own excitement as the highways started to fall apart with all the snow, ice and fog. Some parents were delayed around Red Deer on Thursday for an accident on the QE2 that almost caused them to miss the shuttle to the opening ceremonies. Some last minute rides were given to some kids as some parents couldn’t get away from work for a couple days. The whole team rallied around any kid/family that looked like they couldn’t make the whole event and made sure they all got there.
For the Thursday night opening ceremonies at Rachmans for Wickfest, the kids were fully decked out in the tracksuits, white hoodies, white touques and 90s sunglasses. Kids, coaches, managers and safety team were then loaded up in the shuttle bus that was rented to transport the team for the weekend. This wasn’t without its own adventure as one of the coaches had to help out the driver find the defrost setting for the windows while driving around Calgary. We will all remember the driver using the rag and ice scraper from the driver’s seat on the inside of the window while waiting at a stop light. The team arrived at Ranchman’s a bit early and had a nice 20 minute wait to get in in -20 degree weather. Parents all had got tickets except one family but we were able to gather up some extra tickets while in line to get them all in.
Any challenges were soon forgotten when we got into Ranchman’s as the kids had a team picture and were able to get snacks all over the place. The place was soon packed as all teams and families were there for the event. The white touques were a great idea to be able to spot the girls in the mass of girls. Teams had also shown up in the own attire of team cowboy hats and wear. The Ukrainians were sporting colorful streamers and flowers.
The dance floor took off when the music started and what looked like hundreds of girls packed the floor. This was followed by speeches from Hailey Wickenheiser and her team. As Hailey put it, the weekend was not only for hockey but to have an experience of a number of different events. Followed up by singer Paul Brandt and another teeny bopper singer that is popular with the girls. Teams from all over where invited to the tournament. The previous weekend in Calgary had different age groups for Wickfest as well. Teams from Las Vegas, Saskatchewan, Yukon, NWT, Calgary, Edmonton, other areas of Alberta and Tumbler Ridge were in attendance. The highlight for the Wickfest team also was being able to bring a team from The Ukraine. They travelled a total of 54 hours to make it to Calgary through a whole pile of sponsorships and assistance Canwatch and the Canadian Government to get them in. Giving a team a chance to play hockey during a war going on was exceptional. The night ended with some super pumped kids for what the weekend would bring.
Friday started out with an early rise and being ready to board the shuttle for the team and staff at 8:20am. We arrived at the Great Plains sports complex on the East side of Calgary for the Autograph session with Olympian Hockey Player Rebecca Johston. The girls were super excited and Rebecca was great as she got pictures with each player and the whole team with her gold medals.
Next, the team split up to attend different events as we could only get spots for certain events. Coach Amy Heaton, Manger Tim Walker and Manager Katie Gelsi then took the shuttle bus and five girls to the Biathlon event across the city to the Seven Chiefs Sports complex. While there, those girls got to do a picture with Hailey Wickenheiser. Coach Sheena Urness, Team Safety Tawney Hendrickson, Coach Kevin Pittman and Head coach Dan Callaway got the other 9 girls to a skills event with Olympian Rebecca Johnston and other skilled volunteers. At 12:15, Coach Kevin Pittman and Head Coach Dan Callaway then were at the goalie skills event for the other three players that are goalie’s with Olympian Karsyn Niven. Some of the volunteer shooters were unavailable so Kevin and Dan luckily brought their skates and sticks and did shots on the goalies helping out the Wickfest staff. After the skills and goalie skills events, the shuttle bus returned to take the rest of the team over the Seven Chiefs sports complex. The girls that arrived then got to get something to eat and also get some pictures with Hailey Wickenheiser. Also pick up a bunch of Wickfest apparel! They also had a place to get their own hockey cards made and collect stamps for event passports for each event.
The team then went to a Roller sledge hockey event with Para Olympian Chris Cederstrand. This is definitely more challenging than one thinks. The whole team and staff took part in the event. This ended at 3:45pm which gave us two hours before our first game was to start.
Game 1
The first Friday night game was going to be a hard one as all the kids were tired from all the travelling and activities earlier in the day. The first game which started at 5:45pm at the Seven Chiefs sports complex was the Olds Grizzlies which we had heard they were a really tough team. We also weren’t sure how we would fare being in the Silver division as it was all new to us. The pre game started out with some yawns from the kids which was a bit worrying but the girls were still focused plus some pep/coaching instructions from the coaches. The girls had also put on their war paint under their eyes to show how ready they were. Lol. Also when we came out of the dressing room, the refs were late getting our net out for our pregame warmup which we lost a good minute and a half. Slow warm-ups are always a concern. The game started and we knew we had a game on our hands. Olds players were very good at getting in the passing lanes and were playing a tough game. The rules for Wickfest also had stipulations of no flooding between periods and only one minute of rest between periods. Also if any girl got three penalties in a game, they would be ejected from the game. Each period was 15 minutes of stop time. The first period was close with Olds getting a goal. The second also had Olds scoring two more goals. In the third period, Olds scored again but was followed up by a goal from #29 Paige MacNeil. The kids were obviously tired from the day’s activities and Olds scored three more goals. Final score was 7-1. The whole team contributed to keeping the score to that and we now knew what the competition was like. Our starting goalie, Addison Sorrel, played the first and third periods with Brooklynn Bradley playing the second period in net.
Each game was to finish with a Esso Most Driven Medal for the player that exemplifies the spirit of Hockey, making an immeasurable impact on their teams performance. Our TR player, #11, Quinn Campbell had hurt her knee during the game but was a rocket throughout the game up to that point. She even came out of the dressing room to accept the Esso Medal for the game.
Esso Medal- Quin Campbell
MVP- Brynlee Pittman
third assistant voted by the team- Addison Sorrel- Goalie.
After the game, the managers had organized a family diner and for the people that came to watch the games at the hotel that we all stayed at. This was excellent!
Saturday morning, one of our events, Fit to Fly at the Ski Jumping facility was cancelled which gave the team a chance to rest. At 10:50am, the team got together in the lobby and boarded the shuttle to the Great Plains sports complex for a game against the GHC Inferno team.
Game 2
The game had all the girls getting their war paint on their faces and coaching talks in the dressing room. Quinn Campbell was fearless and all heart as she battled through her pain to play in the game after approval from her parents and coaches assessing her knee. The team came out way more rested than the previous game but allowed the first goal by GHC in the second period. This was answered in the third period by TR’s #17 Brynlee Pittman. The GHC scored again to pull ahead at 2-1. Five minutes after that though, #29 Paige MacNeil scored with an assist by #3 Bronwynn Callaway. #29 Paig MacNeil followed it up with the final goal.
Final score was 3-2.
Paige MacNeil- two goals
Brynlee Pittman- one Goal
Bronwynn Callaway- one assist
Paige MacNeil- Esso Medal
MVP- Maya Gebala
third assistant voted by the team- Ever Michie.
The team then packed up the gear and headed the Seven Chiefs area back on the west side of Calgary. The girls had a Breaking dancing event at that arena which they mostly all enjoyed lol. They even talked the coaches into trying it but our skills were a bit lacking.
Game 3
The next game started at 6:45pm against the Edmonton Storm.
The war paint was applied to the faces of the girls and they were ready to go. Scoring started with #29 Paige MacNeil in the first period and a goal in the second period. Edmonton scored in the second period to bring it to 2-1. #29 Paige Macneil then answered again for the hat trick to put TR up 3-1 for a final score.
Paige MacNeil- three goals
Esso Medal- Maya Gebala
MVP- Tiegan Monical
third Assistant voted by the team- Tiegan Monical
Game 3
Sunday morning started with the team being assembled in the hotel lobby for 9:50am and leaving for Seven Chiefs sports complex at 10am.
The morning game started at 11:30am against the Wheatland Wranglers. This was a must win game to be able to advance to the finals as a tie or loss most likely would have had a another team going to the finals. The girls were able to get war paint on and even got the team staff wearing it!
The game started out with a goal #4 Aubrey Levesque to get the team rolling. This was followed up by a goal from #29 Paige with a assist by #17 Brynlee Pittman and #15 Ainsley McAndrew. Another goal was shot in by #29 Paige MacNeil in the thirdperiod.
Final Score- 3-0
Paige MacNeil- two goals
Aubrey Levesque- one goal
Ainsley McAndrew- one assist
Brynlee Pittman- one assist
Esso Medal- Aubrey Levesque
MVP- Bronwynn Callaway
third assistant voted by the team- Bronwynn Callaway
Game 4
The team then headed out to a Denny’s for lunch and then returned for the Final championship game at Seven Chiefs arena against the Olds Grizzlies again. The team was now able to convince all the family and friends watching to wear the war paint. Plus all the coaches.
The kids, staff and cheering squad were super excited to being playing in the finals. I believe TR had the loudest cheering section at all the games over the weekend!
We noticed the refs were late getting our net setup for the pregame warmup again so Coach Kevin Pittman went and got it setup. The game started with the first period being a gritty period and even at zero a piece. The second period had Olds score five minutes in. This was followed up by a goal from #29 Paige MacNeil and assisted by #10 Layla McAndrew. Olds then came back and scored two more goals in the second period. The third period had Olds getting in all the passing lanes for TR and making it tough to get anything rolling. The defense played their hearts out and were trying to shut down everything like they had done all weekend. The other kids on the TR were also playing their hearts out but Olds came on in the third period and scored twice more for a final score of 5-1.
The TR girls team was heartbroken after the loss but took it like champions and with great sportsmanship. The game was ended by a medal ceremony for both teams with TR taking home the Silver medals! A team picture was captured on the ice and the coaches telling the girls how well they played all weekend and they should be extremely proud of themselves as the rest of us sure were!
This was the best tournament that I have attended and is a great experience for girls to participate in! Hopefully we bring the team back together for a spring tournament and start thinking about a team for next year’s Wickfest. A huge shoutout for support and dedication of the team, staff, parents, sponsors and people cheering us on from different parts of the country and from Tumbler Ridge!
Head Coach of the Tumbler Ridge Raptors U13 All Girls Hockey Team – Dan Callaway
