The Rocky Mountain Way is paved with opportunity in a transformational season.
And that’s not lost on the Rocky Mountain U18 AAA Raiders leadership group featuring captain Chelsey May and alternates Madison Siemens, Ashley Shypitka and Jordynne Hojnocki.
“We didn’t really know what to expect, but it was way better than what we could have thought,” said May, new to the association from Calgary. “Everybody is super nice and we instantly clicked with everyone…
“I think right off the bat we could tell (it was a good room) and for us coming into a new community and having people welcome you in that’s really what speaks volumes to us on what it’s going to be like the rest of the year.”
Shypitka, a fellow Calgarian, echoed the sentiment.
“I think it’s a really exciting opportunity, especially because (three) of us aren’t from Okotoks,” Shypitka said. “It’s really exciting to lead these girls into a new era and it’s a good opportunity.”
“It’s like a refreshing new start. Especially because we knew a lot of the girls that we played with in Calgary. So to come to a new group and see the new skills and the new personalities, it’s really good.”
Hojnocki, a blueliner who’s rose through the ranks with Okotoks minor hockey and is in her second season with the AAA Raiders, added it’s a privilege to wear a letter.
“It’s such an honour to be chosen by this group of girls and we’re really excited,” she said.
The coaching staff described the captaincy as a no-brainer given the character and attributes of May, a 2004-born forward.
“I signed her and Ashley as soon as I got the head coaching job out here and when you talk about young athletes and great people, Chelsey May and Ashley Shypitka’s name come up right away,” said Raiders head coach J’nai Mahadeo. “Great kids and coming from a program not in Okotoks and already to have that leadership quality and have people seeing that in her as well.
“I think that was the biggest thing. Great student, great people and then on top of that a good hockey player. When you think of a captain, you need all of that.”
Mahadeo added the other captains are a strong group of leaders both on and off the ice.
“The people that those who aren’t feeling so well are going to go talk to, whether or not they want to talk to us, they can confide in their leadership group,” she said.
“I think we’ve got a good group with their personalities and their will to be good people and good players as well.”
The Raiders are in their first season under daytime programming where in conjunction with high schools they’re offered significantly more practice time more akin to what’s seen in academy hockey.
“It’s definitely more involved, now we have pretty much four full practices a week, then two drylands and games on the weekend,” Shypitka said. “We’re always coming to the rink and it’s a good opportunity for everyone to meet each other and get that chemistry going before our season actually starts.”
The community aspect is another added bonus to the shift.
“Another aspect of it is I haven’t really been on teams before that are doing the community involvement and lots of volunteering,” May said. “That’s another thing we’re focusing on this year - giving back.”
With the added practice sessions there’s more time for skill development, position specific drills and for more attention to be paid to the systems side of the game.
“We’re starting to introduce more systems because a lot of these girls haven’t learned some in their past years,” Shypitka said. “So the coaches really want them getting familiar with the systems and getting that team chemistry up so it’s quick on the ice.”
Rocky Mountain features 10 skaters from the Okotoks and Foothills County area along with other recruits as the Alberta Female Hockey League does not have geographic boundaries for its players.
“It’s a brand new team, new coaches and I think we’re going to be really successful if we put the work in,” Hojnocki said.
The six-team league features teams from Calgary, Lloydminster, Edmonton, Red Deer and St. Albert. The Raiders are 0-2 in the early going, having played the Calgary Fire twice in early October.
“A lot of people kind of undermine this team because we’re a new team and everything,” Shypitka said. “But I think we’re getting ready to show them what we’re about.”
