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Host Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs hoping for success at U15 AFHL provincials

Provincials begin on Thursday
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Team photo of the U15 AA Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs who are hosting provincials this week at Servus Arena. (Photo submitted by Christine Heggart)

After a successful regular season, the U15 AA Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs are hoping to make some noise at provincials.

Beginning on Thursday the Chiefs will not only participate but host the 2023 Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) Provincial Championships.

Head coach Clint Grenier said they hope to win the gold medal but if they compete hard regardless of the outcome it’ll be a great tournament.

The Chiefs finished the regular season in second place in the South Division with a record of 19-7. Since Red Deer is hosting provincials they automatically got slotted into the tournament but despite that, they still earned their own way in. In the second round of the divisional playoffs, they beat Calgary Fire White two games to one.

“The last half of the season the girls accepted their roles and a big part of it is talking about leadership,” he said. “The last 13 games I think we might’ve lost one game. We went into playoffs with that mentality and did well. Hopefully, now we can make that last game of the year.”

“We have a great chance. It’s still hockey and anything can happen but I think we have as good a chance as anybody.”

Five teams will compete from Thursday through Sunday for the gold medal. Other than the Chiefs, the Edmonton Pandas, Rocky Mountain Raiders, Calgary Fire Red, and St. Albert Chargers will all play for the title.

Red Deer will begin their quest for gold on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. against Edmonton. On Friday they’ll be back on the ice at 9:30 a.m. to play Calgary and back on in the evening at 5:15 p.m, to play St. Albert. The next day the Chiefs will be up bright and early against the Rocky Mountain Raiders at 8 a.m. for their last game.

Depending on how they all go the bronze medal game will go ahead on Sunday at 9 a.m. followed by the gold medal game at 11:45 a.m. All games will take place at Servus Arena.

Grenier explained at this level it’s important to preach to the girls about commitment, teamwork, leadership, dedication, and respect. He explained if all that is taken care of winning becomes a byproduct.

“If you work hard and listen for each other, communicate, and are dedicated, winning ultimately is based on your team culture,” he said.

“On the hockey side of it, development is huge. It really is down to the basics of skating passing and shooting. In the last month and a half, we focus more on team tactics, like powerplay and penalty kill.”

Last season the Sutter Fund Chiefs lost out in the second round of the playoffs falling just short of provincials to Olds. From that team, they returned seven girls motivated to go even further.

Their goaltending duo of Brylee Hull, who was the goaltender of the year last year as a rookie, and first-year Heidi Moos are in Grenier’s eyes the top two goalies in the league and one of their biggest strengths.

“All round as a team I think our biggest thing is our work ethic. We’re solid up front and on defence but it is girl’s hockey and I think it comes down to our compete level,” Grenier said.

“We’re maybe not the biggest team but our compete never stops and we’re a very fast team.”



Ian Gustafson

About the Author: Ian Gustafson

Ian began his journalism career as a reporter in Prince Albert, Sask. for the last three years, and was born and raised in Saskatchewan.
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