Two Whitehorse hockey players will be lacing up for the B.C. Cup come April.
Female Mustangs Maddie Nicholson and Cayman Oestreich advanced through the first stage of selection in the U16 female northern central zone camp this past weekend in Williams Lake.
“I was really happy. It was a really good camp,” said Nicholson. “I really liked being able to play with girls my age and to see how I compared. I think I did quite well in the camp.”
“It’ll probably be a good experience,” said Oestreich of going to Cup. “You meet a lot of girls over the years if you go to a lot of these things. It’ll be a good experience.
“I was sort of surprised (to be selected). I’m pretty sure there was 18 defence, so I was surprised I made the team.”
Nicholson, 13, plays right wing for the Mustangs rep team and Oestreich, 14, plays defence. They were the only Yukoners to make the trip to the trials, which were one of five zone trials throughout B.C.
“There was one practice with some drills and stuff and two games, and some fitness testing,” said Nicholson, who scored a goal in one of the games.
Nicholson and Oestreich will head to the U16 female B.C. Cup this April in Salmon Arm. At the Cup, selected players from the five zones will be split onto teams and play a jamboree style tournament in which they will be scouted by B.C. coaches. Their performances could earn players invitations to teams and future events, such as the U18 Cup, which is used for selecting the provincial team. The U18 Cup is also a doorway to the national team and programs, leading to international competitions.
Oestreich’s goal is to “keep going through these programs and hopefully get to a higher level of hockey,” she said.
Nicholson is currently in her third season with the Mustangs while Oestreich is in her rookie year.
“The coach (Louis Bouchard) is really good,” said Nicholson. “I think I’ve gotten a lot faster and maybe a little more agile on the ice.”
“It’s good. You get lots of ice time, the coaches are good, they help you, they volunteer all their time helping you get better,” added Oestreich.
Both players have been selected to represent Yukon at the Canada Winter Games next month in Prince George.
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com