A Finnish opportunity

Times Reporter   

 

While watching his daughters – 16-year-old Taylor and 15-year-old Korrie – play in the Hayley Wickenheiser World Female Hockey Festival in Calgary from Nov. 21-24, Gord Stewart was asked an interesting question.

“The girls play for the Strathmore midget Storm. We got asked by a Finnish coach, coincidentally, wondering who’s that number 6 and that number 9,” Stewart said, those players being his two daughters. “We started talking about their ability, and the Fins said they’d like to see them come over to Europe to play.”

Gord’s wife Nina is of Finnish origin, making the girls eligible for their Finnish citizenship.

“We’re just going through that process right now, of seeing what’s required,” Gord said. “It’s neat. Who get’s that chance? I’m excited about it.”

The girls, who typically host the Hearts of the West Show, will have to cut their riding season short, as they would leave in Aug. for the Finland Women’s Elite League, and return June 2015. After a two week introductory Finnish language course, they would begin school in a foreign country, only knowing a few words from their mother.

“I just really want to go and experience all of it,” Korrie said, not scared of the situation. “I kind of think everything will just work out.”

Taylor and Korrie have been playing hockey for seven years, and were playing at the bantam level by ages 10 and 11. They started their careers in Siksika and have now been with Strathmore for the past three years, coached under their older sister Sisko – meaning sister in Finnish. They eventually hope to make the U-19 Finland Women’s team, and move onto the Finland National Women’s team.

“If we could get the opportunity for Finland (and their women’s team), we’d jump right on it.” Korrie said.

“We’re hoping to go big with hockey, and make it through college and everything, with scholarships.” Taylor said. “Wherever we could make it.”

Taylor and Korrie, both forwards, feel that their speed is what makes them so effective, but also, in that they practice drills together whenever they can.

“Just so that we can always have that connection on the ice,” Korrie said.