The Squamish Womens Ice Hockey Team is looking for full time players, for goalies, and for those who want to play a drop-in game.
By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Dec. 10, 2011.
Squamish Screamin Eagles is looking for new players to join the Squamish Womens Ice Hockey team.
“We are looking for spare players, for full time players, and we are always looking for full-time goalies,” said Jen Weaver, the team’s president.
“Anyone who knows some basic skating techniques is more than welcome to come out and play.”
New members are provided with gear and uniforms. The team plays at the Brennan Park Recreational Centre every Sunday.
Weaver said the Eagles ranged in age from 19 years to 50 years, and were a mixed group, from beginner’s players to those who had more professional experience.
Weaver has played with the team since she moved to Squamish in 2008. Women’s hockey has a much bigger presence in North Vancouver and Whistler compared to Squamish, she said.
She is hoping more Squamish women will join the team and change that.
“Not many people know that we have a womens ice hockey team. May be it’s lack of advertising or the fact that Squamish is smaller, but it has been more of an underground sport,” she said.
That shouldn’t be because women can get exercise, make new friends, and practice their hockey skills in a friendly environment, Weaver said.
She said some people might feel intimidated by hockey because of the aggression attached to it. Sunday nights for women are far from that.
“It’s very welcoming, and it’s great fun to play together,” she said.
The women’s hockey team was formed in Squamish in the late 90s. Marne Bourbonnais, who played in the team in 2003, said all members brought new players out to “try it out”.
“We tried to have money put aside to keep at least 2 sets of gear for this purpose. Often the new girls would show up with just a pair of skates and we would suit them up from there. They were usually hooked after that,” Bourbonnais said.
The team often takes part in one or two tournament every year. This January, thirteen players will compete in an intermediate level tournament at Apex Mountain Resort in Penticton, B.C.
“We will be playing women from all over B.C. and possibly Canada and the United States,“she added.
It costs 300 dollars for the season, which includes insurance, uniforms, and team jerseys. You have to be 19 years old to be a player.
Weaver can be contacted at squamishwomenshockey@hotmail.com.