Lecavalier named to top 27

Times Reporter   

 

Strathmore’s Sarah Lecavalier made it through another round of cuts toward her goal of making the U18 Alberta women’s hockey team, after a tournament Sept. 27-29. 

The team went from 46 to 27, with Lecavalier – one of two 15-year-olds – making the trim.

At the tournament, U18 Alberta played the University of Alberta (U of A) squad on Saturday and Sunday, and a bantam AAA team from Edmonton on Friday.

“The first game we were kind of just getting our legs under us. We hadn’t seen each other in a couple months. So, we were kind of iffy,” Lecavalier said. “Obviously they’re older and smarter. But I thought it was a good pace, and I was up there with everyone else. So I was pretty happy.”

Lecavalier thought the U18’s played well and had a decent amount of shots, though they lost both games to U of A. Lines were changed fairly frequently among the girls.

“Normally I’m a centre, but I was put on right wing just because there are more centres than right wings and I’m younger,” Lecavalier said. “So I said ‘just put me on the right’.”

Next up is the National Women’s U18 Championship, where Lecavalier and Team Alberta will play teams from across the country. After that week of games from Nov. 6-10 at WinSport in Calgary, the team will make their final cut of 20.

In terms of what she needs to work on prior to those games, Lecavalier said, “Just handling the puck along the boards, getting used to who I’m playing with. It’s a huge learning experience and I’m just glad that I’m there.”

Lecavalier feels completely healthy after battling a few injuries earlier in the year.

Along with joining U18 Alberta, Lecavalier plays for the Highwood Raiders of the Alberta Major Midget Female Hockey League, beside U18 teammate Hannah Olenyk.

“That’s the major focus right now because I made my commitment prior to U18 with them. So I’ll go to practice twice a week and then usually (play) two games every weekend. But our schedules are kind of conflicting now,” Lecavalier said.

For instance, this upcoming weekend, Lecavalier and Olenyk will be missing Raiders games in Grand Prairie.

“We’re staying in Calgary to play, so we can’t be with the team. It’s kind of disappointing but it’s a sacrifice you kind of have to make,” Lecavalier said.

The most challenging opponent Team Alberta will have is Ontario, which has two teams participating in the tournament.

“Every year, basically, it’s Ontario,” Lecavalier said. “We always watch videos on the previous teams and how they played power play, and penalty kill, and how we can be effective against them.”

Lecavalier is looking forward to a possible invitation to join next year’s U18 for Team Canada. However, at 15 years of age, she has more than enough seasons to potentially join the team.