Division: Peewee C1
Manager’s Name: Qun Gee
Head Coach: Mike Richards
Assistant Coaches: Troy Dragon, Luie Zappacosta
Record in January:
Record: 1-5-0
Opponents: Richmond, Langley, North Shore, North Shore Winter Club, Tri-Citites, and South Delta
It is always fun to be part of a team sport like hockey when the team is winning. Celebrating big goals and great saves and beating your friendly rivals from other teams is something every athlete enjoys doing. But what happens when a team is struggling? What happens when everyone is working hard but not getting the results?
That is the scenario that the Burnaby Wildcats Peewee team has been faced with quite frequently so far this season. The team is comprised of players from all different levels of experience in hockey. Some have been playing the sport for a few years now, while for others, this season is their first exposure to it.
After an up-and-down end to 2013, which saw the Peewee Wildcats struggle in league play but have some success in the Remembrance Day Hockey Tournament, the new year has started out with things looking up for the team. Despite a 1-5-0 record in the month of January, the team has been playing better and better, and they were finally rewarded for their hard work with a victory over Tri-Cities. A goal for the team right now is to close the gap in scores in each game they play. Where early in the season their losses were more lopsided, the results now are much closer and the team is working hard to stay competitive in every game.
When things are not going as planned for a hockey team, morale amongst players is very important. Head coach Mike Richards continues to award the Hard Hat Award to the hardest working player on the team after each game as a way of encouraging everyone to keep working hard and doing the right things. Tournaments are also a fun way to build camaraderie among players. The Peewee Wildcats participated in the Angels on Ice Female Hockey Tournament in Langley over the Christmas holidays. All players had a good time and it was an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
The team has been dealing with more challenges to start off the new year. Their goaltender suffered an injury in early January and there is no ETA on her possible return to the lineup. Goaltenders are the toughest players to replace on a hockey team because of the nature of their position, but the Wildcats wish their goalie a speedy recovery. With the playoffs just around the corner, the entire team will hope to be healthy so that they can push for more positive results.
~ Jehan Jiwa
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