It could certainly be argued that the 2021-2022 edition of the Sudbury U18 AA Lady Wolves played their best hockey of the season when it mattered the most, cobbling together a really solid run at the OWHA Provincials last April.
Two months into the new campaign, the 2022-2023 squad has picked right up where their predecessors left off. That much has been evident to the returning puck-stopper who enjoys one of the best views of most games as she returns for her final year as a member of the Lady Wolves.
“I definitely think that it feels that we’ve been playing together for the past twenty years,” suggested 16 year-old netminder Zoe Rienguette, one of six players being welcomed back to the fold and one of only three who do not still have U18 eligibility beyond next spring.
“It’s crazy. It started right at tryouts; I was just feeling it. The girls are moving the puck so well – it’s so nice to watch.”
A veteran of the Nickel City Hockey Association for all of her pre-Covid hockey, used to the feel and look of the boys’ game, Rienguette acknowledged what many have long suggested: there is an adjustment to be made for goalies transitioning from boys hockey to girls hockey.
“It’s a whole different game,” she suggested. “I wouldn’t say the game is slower, but there is a different pace. You have to be more patient with it; that’s what I feel. It was tough last year to slow my game down to match the speed of their game. But now this year, this is my game too.”
Looking back, Rienguette is at least one athlete who feels that there may have been something of a silver lining to her pandemic experience. “I think I came over to girls’ hockey at just the right time,” she expressed. “With Covid and everything being slowed down, it gave me a chance to adapt to the game.”
Truth be told, there is no right or wrong answer as to when the ideal time might be to focus on playing solely with your own gender. Seventeen year-old Sierra Boyuk has been with the SDGHA since the age of seven – a pathway that she appreciates as she contemplates her career as a Lady Wolf.
“I am really happy with my decision to come over early,” said Boyuk. “Really, it’s about the friendships that you make. All of my best friends are from my hockey years. It’s a lot of fun to be playing a game that you love with people that you like.”
Given that kind of perspective, little surprise that Boyuk has emerged as one of the leaders on this team, one that fully expects to rank among the provincial contenders by the time playdowns begin in March.
“I want to enjoy my last year, make it a good one,” said the senior at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School. “Considering I am one of the oldest ones, I definitely have to take on that leadership role. I find for me, it’s about making a fun environment for the girls, keeping it focused but finding a good balance.”
“It’s a competitive sport,” added Boyuk. “When it’s time to be competitive, like in practice, that’s when you know to set the tone of the practice. But when it’s the fun part of prepping for the game, with warm-ups and stuff, you make it light and fun so that no one is going in with nerves.”
“When it’s game time, it’s game time. That’s when it’s time to buckle down and focus.”
Like Rienguette, Boyuk is equally optimistic about the early season signs, with tournament and exhibition play behind them and regular season play set to commence the weekend of October 15th and 16th as Sudbury plays host to both the Toronto Aeros and Barrie Sharks.
“We’ve definitely had a very strong start,” said Boyuk. “I’m excited about how fast our team is. I find that is going to be our biggest advantage. Everyone is working together and playing as a team. I’m really excited to see how far we come towards the end of the season.”
The up-tick in skill has also caught the attention of head coach André Brunette, back for his second year at the helm of this team. “The work ethic they bring to practice and games is excellent,” he said. “And this is the first time in a while where we have a team that can put the puck in the net at a good rate.”
“It’s been a pleasant surprise.”
While success at provincials is certainly right at the top of the wish list for the U18 AA Lady Wolves each and every year, it would be naive not to recognize that these athletes are also hoping to garner the attention of post-secondary programs on either side of the border. It’s definitely something that Brunette is keenly aware of.
“You want to peak at the right time, obviously,” he said. “It’s nice to do well in tournaments, but I think if you go into March and April rolling, peaking for the playoffs, I think good things will happen.”
Rounding out the 2022-2023 U18 AA Lady Wolves roster are goaltender Sarah McKechnie, defensemen Kendra Shanks, Sequoia Nebenionquit, Carlen Betrand, Summer Bissaillion, Laryssa Mayer and Gabrielle Gallagher, as well forwards Payton Stos, Tessa Ranger, Madison Hollohan, Maija Potvin, Kynlee Cresswell, Jillian Landry, C.J. Pardy, Katelynn Jacques and Ayla Lagace.