Like practically every team, the Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs U15AA girls hockey team has set a goal to win their final game of the season.
Especially if that final game comes at provincials.
Last season, the Chiefs accomplished their goal, winning bronze.
“That’s our ultimate goal to win that last game and to get there, it’s a matter of meeting short-term goals and higher expectations,” said Chiefs first-year head coach Don Morrison, who coached the U13AA boys last season.
“As a group, we’ve done a good job so far, alth0ugh we know things will ramp up after the Christmas break. The competition will only get stiffer and stiffer until the end.”
And in the end, the Chiefs are looking for a medal of a different colour and their start to the season indicates they have to be taken very seriously.
After dropping their first two games of the season, the Chiefs have won 11 of 12 and the last seven in a row.
“The last two months we’ve really come on strong,” said Morrison, who has eight returnees on the roster to go with six players up from the U15A program and five from the U13AA girls.
The veterans are led by the line of Jensyn and Peyton Stephenson, who are cousins, and Macy Morrison.
Jensyn is fifth in the league scoring with 18 goals and 5 assists while Peyton had seven goals and eight helpers and Morrison four goals and 10 assists.
Defenceman Taylor Sorenson is second on the team and third in the league in scoring among rearguards with 16 points on three goals and 13 assists.
“That top line and the three returning defencemen are all playing really well, then again all the girls have come a long way since the start of the season,” said Morrison. “I’ve been really impressed how they have all progressed … it’s nice to see.”
Pacey Small and Addison Shaw are the other two returning defencemen while first-year Kendall Hammer has nine assists. Kenzie Sharpe and Kacey Beagle, both of whom played U13AA last season with Hammer, round out the defence.
Morrison likes what he sees from the defence in their own zone and on the offensive side.
“As a coach, I promote offence from the defence,” he said. “I like to run a five-player unit and all six girls (on defence) have lived up to our expectations.”
The defence also had the luxury of playing in front of two outstanding goaltenders in veteran Heidi Moss and Emma Douglas, who played U15A last year.
Moss is coming off two straight shutouts and is fourth in the league with a 1.88 goals-against-average and a .930 save percentage which is tied for second back of only the .942 held by Douglas, who has a 2.00 GAA.
“I would say arguably we have the best goaltending tandem in the league,” Morrison added. “They have their own unique style, are highly competitive and work well together. They push each other to be better. I know the forwards and defence are pleased to know they’re back there and there won’t be any easy goals.”
Of the remaining forwards Tessa Heggart is the only other returnee with Mabel Weddell, Ryann Kirkness, Hailey Vollman and Ryley Shierman moving up from the U15As and Reece Lacina, Sara Murdoch and Hannah Yeast from the U13AA squad.
The Chiefs are another in a long line of strong girls’ minor hockey programs in the city, following in the footsteps of the U18AAA and AA programs, both of which won provincials last season.
“The girls definitely look up and see where they can go and strive for that for sure,” said Morrison. “But really, the girls are driven to be their best no matter what and all have a strong mindset. They are a very close-knit group and push each other extremely hard which is fun to coach.”
The fact is the Red Deer Minor Hockey Association is led by the girls programs when it comes to medals at the provincial level. And it should continue says Morrison.
“The girls program is very strong, look at the girls in the 2008-2010 group. They’re really coming on strong and the younger groups have a lot of depth and talent as well. It’s pretty cool to see.”
All 19 members of the Chiefs are from Central Alberta.
“We have girls from Rocky Mountain House in the west, Olds in the south and Lacombe in the north. We also have girls from Bentley, Rimbey and Sylvan Lake. This year we don’t have anyone from east of Red Deer, but we have in the past,” said Morrison.
“Double A is the highest level to play, so it’s good for the girls to be able to come in. The impressive thing is how well they all get along and how quickly they come together as a team.”
The Chiefs finish their pre-Christmas schedule this weekend as they visit the Calgary Fire Red Saturday and the Airdrie Lightning Sunday.
Danny Rode is a retired Advocate reporter and member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame who can be reached at danrode@shaw.ca