As the 2016 Alberta Winter Games approach, Zone 2 is excited to announce their ringette squad has been named.
Comprised of the best young female players (aged 13-17) in Zone 2, the team includes players from Airdrie, Chestermere, Cochrane, Rockyford, Springbank, and Strathmore.
Since 1991, ringette has had a presence at the Canada Winter Games. It has become one of the fastest-growing team sports on ice since it was introduced at North Bay, Ont., in 1963.
Currently, the sport boasts nearly 30,000 registered players (primarily female) on nearly 2,000 teams across Canada.
Canada and Finland lead the world in ringette, but the sport is played in a number of countries.
During the past 10 years, most of these young ladies have played on opposing teams, but now they have joined forces to showcase their speed and talent.
The Zone2 team has been hard at work since early December, and currently has one win, one draw, and one loss after three exhibition games.
“There is a tremendous amount of talent in Zone 2,” said head coach Steve Rosenberg.
“The girls worked really hard to make the team.
“Even though they are still getting to know each other, you can see they really want to win. I am excited to see how they will perform in the tournament. They will make their communities proud.”
This year’s team is made up of 17 players.
Mackenzie Cameron, Michaela Kelly and Megan McCullough all hail from Airdrie.
Madison Istace is from Chestermere.
Rovanna Irvin, Danielle Rosenberg, Oceane Rosenberg, and Abby Wasylynuik are all from Cochrane and area.
Taneil Kalbhen and Hailey Kenny are from Rockyford and area.
Eliza Leitch hails from Springbank. McKenna Blades, Ashley LeCavalier, Grace Olson, Ann Sauve, Daylen Wathen, and Tatum Wathen, are from Strathmore.
Ringette has continued to grow over the last five years, and now there are over 600 registered players in Zone 2, which has introduced an AA program as a result of said growth.
Two weeks remain until the Winter Games begin in Medicine Hat (Feb. 13-16), and the anticipation and excitement continues to build within the squad.
Zone 2 plays one final exhibition game against a Calgary NW U19A team on Monday, Feb. 8, at 9 p.m. in Airdrie at Genesis Place. All are welcome to attend.
