Whitehorse’s Tamara Greek is making another run for Team B.C.
The 16-year-old is the only Yukon player invited to the 2013 Female U18 B.C. Cup next week in Salmon Arm, B.C.
The B.C. Cup is the first stage in the selection process in forming the B.C. team that will play in the National Women’s U18 Hockey Championships in Dawson Creek this November.
Greek and a fellow Yukoner, Marsh Lake goalie Jocelyn Wynnyk, made it to the final stage of selection - the provincial camp - last year, but did not make the final cut.
“There are a lot of girls out there with a lot of talent, but what I’ve done this year will hopefully show,” said Greek. “Hopefully they like my performance and hopefully I can keep pushing myself to get a spot.”
Greek was scouted for the B.C. Cup while playing for the Banff Hockey Academy Bears this past season. In a bit of a circular situation, Greek was scouted for the Bears by the team’s head coach while playing at last year’s B.C. Cup.
Greek, who plays defence, is among just 80 players (eight goalies, 24 defence and 48 forwards) scouted during the season, 20 fewer than last year.
Last year players were selected for the B.C. Cup following zone camps. This year there were no camps and players were selected from play during the season.
“I can’t really tell if I’m going to have a better shot at it or not,” said Greek. “But I know I’m going to go in there and work my hardest and give it my all.”
The Banff Hockey Academy Bears had an incredible season and Greek was no small part of the team’s success. The Bears won the Alberta Junior Female Hockey League with an astonishing 29-1-0 record. Greek was seventh in points for the league’s southern division with 20 assists, 14 goals, for 34 points in total.
“Banff is a good academy. If any Yukoners are interested, they should look into this one,” said Greek. “It’s a good first year away from home and gets you ready for university and they help you find your university. The schooling is hard, but it definitely prepares you for university a lot better than some of the places out there.”
At the 2012 Arctic Winter Games, held in Whitehorse, Greek was named Most Valuable Defenceman in the tournament, scoring a hat trick in the bronze game to help earn Team Yukon the win.
Last summer, Greek played for a U-21 women’s team in Stockholm, Sweden. The team went on to win bronze in an open women’s tournament in Prague, Czech Republic. Greek was the youngest on the team at 15.
She has also played three seasons on the Female Mustangs, Whitehorse’s rep team.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for (Mustangs head coach) Louis Bouchard,” said Greek. “He gave me the chance to prove myself and get better. He taught me everything I know.”
Greek has already been recruited to play on the Pacific Steelers Hockey Club in Richmond, B.C in the Junior Women’s Hockey League next season. Wynnyk played for the Steelers last season.
Three male players from the Bantam A Mustangs were selected for the U-16 B.C. Cup in Salmon Arm a month ago.
Forwards Levi Johnson and Nick Dobush, plus goalie Josh Tetlichi, were picked up following a skills camp in Vanderhoof.
The list of players who will advance past the first stage of cuts is expected to be released next week.
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com