Lacavalier heading to 2015 Winter Games

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

Strathmore’s Sarah Lacavalier is ecstatic to have been chosen to play for the women’s Team Alberta hockey team in the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, B.C. from Feb. 13 to Mar. 1, 2015.
“It’s a huge weight off my shoulders. The tryout process is always pretty tough and demanding. I’m just excited to be a part of the Alberta team going to the Canada Winter Games,” said Lacavalier. “Obviously it’s a little bit more special than the regular Under-18 nationals, but also coming in as a second year I think it’s a little bit more nerve wracking because there’s more expected of me but I’m definitely ready for that pressure.”
Lacavalier is currently playing at the Pursuit of Excellence School in Kelowna and says that being on the ice every day is going to help her prepare for the competition.
“I’m on the ice every day, so I’m good and ready with skills and shots. I’m a lot more of a leader, more verbal in the dressing room and I think that those definitely help,” said Lacavalier.
“Also there is a couple new girls on the team so I’m going to help try and mentor. For the girls that are there for the first year, I know how it feels to be new to the program.”
She has an idea of what the competition is going to be like having played U-18 last year.
“I know a little bit of what to expect from the other provinces just from last year’s U-18 but it’s a little bit different because each province puts in one team. So normally there is two Ontario teams, which are very strong, but this year there will only be one,” said Lacavalier.
“So you’d expect a lot of talent from the east side but then there will be a little bit more watered down teams coming from PEI and the Northwest Territories.”
She hopes to contribute more offensively and wear her province’s sweater proudly.
“I just want to do the best that I can and represent the Alberta logo. It’s just an honour to be here. I expect a lot out of myself this year, a couple more points than last year would be alright,” said Lacavalier.
Lacavalier’s former coach Keith Klemmensen believes her hard-working attitude is what has gotten her this far in hockey.
“Sarah was always a self-motivated, hard-working athlete and there isn’t a thing in the world that garnered her success in hockey, there’s no surprise, because she’s earned it,” said Klemmensen.
“In the five years I’ve done peewee double-AA, I don’t think there’s anybody else that can match her mental toughness.”