Lecavalier preparing for U18

Aryssah Stankevitsch     

Times Reporter   

 

Sarah Lecavalier and Team Alberta’s U18 team only have three guaranteed games at the National Women’s U18 Championship preliminary round; they play Manitoba on Nov. 6, Ontario Red on Nov. 7, and Saskatchewan on Nov. 8.

“Being at nationals, and being able to hang out with the girls; it’ll be an amazing experience,” Lecavalier said. “I’m just pumped.” 

This will be the only tournament for the 20-girl team, who trained together different weekends throughout the summer, until next year’s selection camp.

“This weekend, we had one-on-ones with our coach, so he would tell us what he wants,” Lecavalier said, of former NHLer Mikko Makela, coach for Team Alberta. “There’s a big jump from boys to girls, like the puck possession. He wants me to take the puck and just try stuff – stuff that I normally wouldn’t do with boys – and he wants me to try and get comfortable with it.”

Lecavalier said that Makela knows his hockey – and what it takes to play at a high level – but reminds her of her former peewee coach, Keith Klemmensen. 

“All of my Wheatland coaches, they were a huge support – especially Keith,” she said.

Klemmensen still comes to watch Lecavalier’s Highwood Raiders team, including this past weekend.

“Just having Keith there, knowing that he’s there, just boosts my confidence,” she said.

Lecavalier has been working hard with trainer Bill Thompson to prepare for nationals, especially for team Ontario’s two squads.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about them,” Lecavalier said. “They win almost every year, especially with two teams that are both really strong. I’m definitely nervous for that.”