By Mark
Schadenberg
The
popularity of girls’ hockey continues to grow and it’s seen in every community
from coast to coast, most certainly including Woodstock.
The
Woodstock Wildcats girls’ hockey association is hosting its 3-day tournament
this weekend (Jan 2-4), so the local economy will be receiving an infusion of
enthusiastic hockey players at hotels and restaurants.
I
remember about 20 years ago when the local association was formed by Guy and
Nancy Bradford. It was their early dedication that truly assisted in setting
the framework for the group today.
This past
off-season, the Wildcats introduced a new logo, but kept the essential colour
scheme they have utilized since day one – teal, white and black.
Although
I don’t believe she ever donned a Wildcats jersey, Kelly Paton of Woodstock (growing
up with boys’ Junior Navy Vets and girls’ London Devilettes programs) is one of
Canada’s best-ever women hockey players as she was a runner-up for the NCAA top
player award (Patty Kazmaier Award) a few years ago as a star with the
University of New Hampshire. There is no doubt that if Kelly was taller than
her 5’2” stature she would have been on Canada’s national team at some point.
Paton has coached Mercyhurst college in Erie and is currently an assistant
coach with the Western Mustangs women’s team, and is fitness coach for Team
Canada U18.
On the
world stage, Canada won the first eight championship tournaments, and has won
gold as recently as 2012, and has never finished lower than second place. Our
nation has also claimed four consecutive Olympic gold medals.
As for
the Woodstock event, the tourney is now large enough to use four arenas for the
preliminary rounds – all three in Woodstock and the Embro community centre. The
Wildcats have attracted 55 teams to the tourney at both competitive and house
league levels.
LINKS
Mark Schadenberg, sales representative
Royal LePage Triland Realty Brokerage
757 Dundas St, Woodstock
(519) 537-1553
Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com
Twitter: markroyallepage
Facebook: Mark Schadenberg, Royal LePage Triland
Discussion . . . Direction . . . Determination . . . Destination
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