Shae Demale has always been a scorer, whether it was in hockey or on soccer pitch.
The 15-year-old from Red Deer is showing that in her first season with the Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs midget AAA team. She leads the team in goals with 12 and chipped in six assists and sits second in team scoring to Breanna Martin, who has eight goals and 11 helpers.
“I’ve always been a scorer,” she said. “In hockey I also try to get it done in the corners.”
Demale grew up playing both sports and because of the time of season of each sport she could continue on, although she’s not sure she will play soccer this summer.
“I played last year, but I’m not sure about this year,” she said. “But then I believe it’s good to be a multi-sport athlete as it keeps you going, so we’ll see.”
She did play volleyball, basketball and soccer in school as well as competed in track. It’s tough to play basketball and volleyball because of hockey, but she’s still interested in track and possibly the high school soccer team.
“I want to stay active so I will likely play what I can,” she said.
At one time Demale was interested in possibly playing soccer at a post-secondary institution, but that’s changed.
“Once I made the midget AAA (hockey) team I put that to the top,” she explained.
Demale came up through the Red Deer minor hockey association and played with the bantam AAA Sutter Fund team last season.
She watched the midget AAA squad reach the final of the Esso Cup Canadian championship at the Red Deer Arena, before losing.
“That was exciting … after last year it made this year even more exciting,” she said. “That team had a lot of success and I believe coming onto the team this year it makes it easier for myself.
“In fact I think it really helped everyone on the team. For me it was a big step up as the league is a lot faster, but I believe you can do it if you want to.”
Demale has the size — five-foot-eight, 140-pounds — and strength to play in the midget league, despite being a first-year player. She is in Grade 10 at Lindsay Thurber and will be around two more years.
“My size and strength does help me, especially in the corners,” she said.
Demale plays on a line with Martin and Brandy Steinman.
“We’ve been together most of the year and it’s been good,” she said. “They’re both great to play with.”
The Chiefs started slowly this season and were in ninth place after nine games, but thanks to the play of the Demale line and a solid defence and goaltending they moved into fourth place, one point out of third. They finish their regular season this weekend on the road against the Peace Country Saturday and Sunday. The Chiefs are assured of home ice advantage in the quarter-finals.
Demale believes the team can make a run at the league title.
“I believes if we play our game we can handle anyone,” she said. “The veterans have been through this before and they know what it takes to compete with the rest of the league.”