Soon-to-be stars

YAS QUEENS: qathet’s first all-girls development hockey team found out January 10 they’ll represent BC in an internationally-broadcast U15 match against Sechelt February 18. The event is part of the annual Global Girls Game – an initiative of the International Ice Hockey Federation.

The U15 Powell River Queens are about to go global in the International Ice Hockey Federation's GGG event

Sitting on the benches just off the rink at the Rec Complex – skates half-on, pre-practice – the U15 Queens hockey team gathered around to hear a special announcement. They had been chosen to play a special game February 18, against the Sechelt Blues, representing all of BC, in the Global Girls Game (GGG) event which will feature female hockey teams from all over the world. It took the teens a few minutes to realize that this is, indeed a big deal.

The International Ice Hockey Federation has been running the GGG annually since 2015, “a unique event that was created to unite the hockey community.”

GOODBYE, QUIET COVID ERA: The U15 Queens has 17 players ranging from age 11 to 16, drawn from qathet’s ever-growing girls hockey development program, and minor hockey. Photo: the team beat Campbell River 7-1 January 22

“All right!” said player Braelyn Budgell after the announcement. “Sechelt is our favourite team!”

Team manager Kaila Auger explained that this is especially meaningful for the Queens, because qathet’s first all-girls development hockey team got started under COVID, and is working hard to get known around the province. In fact, no games were allowed during the entire first year they’d formed. That they were chosen to play in the GGG “means they’re being taken seriously as a team,” she said.

Assistant coach Suzi Wiebe added, “This puts Powell River on the map.”

The application to represent BC was “written at the 11th hour” by the team’s head coach, Julie Venselaar, in early December. The event takes place, coincidentally, during an all-girls tourney at the Hap Parker that weekend, with eight teams coming from out of town (plus three local teams).

The players in their new jerseys. Each Canadian player participating in the GGG will also receive a special jersey, with numbers corresponding to Canada’s 2022 Women’s World Championship Hockey winning team.

For the Global Girls Game event, a photographer or videographer will be arranged by Hockey Canada to capture the game (there are 11 being played across Canada that day).

On February 19, Canada will play the USA.

The U15 Queens

Bella Peters #1 (A)

Nelle Liefsoens #3

Braelyn Budgell #5

Makayla Hawkins #7 (C)

Luce Liefsoens #8

Sienna Keays #9

Samara Brown #11 (A)

Bree Behan #12 (A)

Teegan Taylor #13

Londyn Waterton #14

Marlina Hanson #17

Jordana Gravelle #17

Willa Venselaar #23

Molly Hillier #26

Sunny Hillier #40

Quynn Lefler #46

Claire Karger #18

Camryn Pukesh #10

Coaches: Julie Venselaar & Suzi Wiebe

Manager: Kaila Auger

Safety: Ashleigh Hawkins