Rocky Mountain’s flag will by flying high at the Alberta Winter Games.
The Rocky Mountain Raiders Bantam Elite are sending 11 players to the elite competition in February featuring the top 106 2005 and 2006-born female hockey players in the province
“It means a lot to me,” said Raiders forward Anika Peters, from Okotoks. “I’ve been on some not so good teams so I’ve definitely worked hard for this and getting on this team means a lot to me.
“Hard work pays off sometimes.”
It’s no surprise the Raiders are so prolific on the roster.
Rocky Mountain boasts the best record in the Alberta Female Hockey League’s South Division at 9-2-1.
Those headed to the Games in Airdrie include blueliners Kylie Soloveoff, Jordynne Hojnocki, Tori Evans, Hannah Deck, forwards Peters, Madison Berven, Reilly Crowson, Jordyn Rivett, Sienna McClinchey, Kaci McInenly and goaltender Hannah Saunders.
Additionally, Okotoks’ Grace Page from the Southern Express also made the grade.
“I think it’s just going to be a great experience,” Saunders said. “I’m just really excited.”
The rosters were selected from regional camps on the first weekend of December, for the southern area players in Innisfail.
“It means a lot,” Hojnocki said. “I’m really proud of myself and the rest of my team that made it as well. It was a really stressful weekend and we managed to pull out our spot on the teams.
“There was a lot of people on the ice at a time and it was stressful where everybody was. I was really focusing on my confidence and being the best I could be.”
It’s a big stage for the Bantam-aged athletes.
The Alberta Winter Games is considered the first step in the Team Alberta program.
“I was definitely trying to make myself look good out there,” Peters said. “It goes off the ice too, with dry-land and warm-ups to make sure you look like a respectful player and a player that’s meant to be on those teams.”
One interesting wrinkle in the girls hockey competition is how the rosters were divvied up.
The Raiders will be represented on the Zone 2, 3 and 4 teams giving the athletes the opportunity to meet some new friends while competing against their current ones.
“It’s going to be fun. I love playing against my teammates, we get a little competitive,” Peters said. “I’m hoping to learn and maybe put my name out there a bit and grow with the team, maybe meet some new girls, some new coaches and just have fun.”
The 2020 Alberta Winter Games run Feb. 17-20 in Airdrie.
For more information go to albertasport.ca
