By Remy Greer
Staff Reporter
Three foothills girls are up for the challenge of the elite tournament in the province at the Bantam level.
Okotoks’ Amanda McLeod and Janae Ramsay along with Malia Schneider of Millarville were drafted to compete at the 2013 Alberta U16 Challenge, May 2-5 in Medicine Hat.
“I knew it would be really hard to make because they were only taking 18 defencemen. I was just really happy I made it,” said Ramsay, a blueliner with the Rocky Mountain Bantam AAA Raiders. “I’ve never really played at such a high level before so it will be a great experience.”
The selection process for the Alberta Challenge, which occurs every two years, strayed from the formula of regional representation through zone teams. Instead, the top 120 players from the North and South were drafted on to three teams from each part of the province based on performances at evaluation camp.
“I got a call on my way to spring hockey and I was pretty excited,” said McLeod, recounting how she got the good news. “I thought I had a really good tryout and I was really hoping to make the team.”
Ramsay and McLeod were drafted to the South Coyotes for the tournament.
McLeod, the captain of the two-time defending champion Bantam AAA Raiders, is looking to add another experience to her hockey memories in Medicine Hat.
“I went to Winter Games last year and it was such a great experience and so much fun,” she said. “I’m expecting that’s what it will be like at the Alberta Challenge this year.
“I think we have a really good team and a really good shot at succeeding in the tournament.”
Mike Bara, head coach for the South Coyotes, said the two Okotoks players he drafted bring different skills to the ice, but both fit into the team concept built around leadership, speed and grit.
“Janae was a really nice, steady player to watch, she skates really well. There’s not a lot of flash to her game offensively,” Bara said.
“When we’re putting a roster together we’re trying to find a balance of puck moving defencemen and some that can defend their end a little better.
“She fits that mold and was a highly-rated player for us going into the draft.”
McLeod impressed Bara, then a coach mentor at last year’s Alberta Winter Games, and the coach was familiar with the hard working forward.
“I had a chance to see her character in action last year and she’s a phenomenal athlete that plays both ends of the ice incredibly well,” said Bara, also the bench boss of the boys Okotoks Bantam AAA Oilers.
“She likes to use her linemates and distributes the puck incredibly well and has that natural quality of leadership to her.”
Meanwhile, Schneider was selected to the South Lightning.
The 14-year-old forward tallied seven goals and nine points in 23 games this season for the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy in Kelowna.
The Alberta Challenge is a battle on two fronts with all six teams vying for the championship and all 120 skaters competing for one of 60 invites to the U16 female provincial camp, the final stage of the Team Alberta program.
“Obviously it’s going to be on my mind, but if I don’t make it it’s not going to be a big deal because I’ve made it this far already,” Ramsay said. “Basically, I’ll just play my game and hopefully it turns out alright.”
Bara, the coordinator of development for Hockey Canada, said the Alberta Challenge is an important stepping stone for many of the girls.
“This is the first step into a very good U18 program that Hockey Alberta has and it gives them a bit of a jump going into Midget AAA next season,” Bara said. “The blinders come off and it’s a whole new opportunity for scouts to come in and watch the girls play because a lot of them step from Midget AAA to the NCAA ranks.”
For more information on the Alberta Challenge go to hockeyalberta.ca
