Hammond shines in inaugural All- Star game

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Alberta Major Bantam Female Hockey League held its first-ever All Star Game on Sunday, Jan. 4 in Sherwood Park.
The game was a fast-paced, hard-fought match up featuring the best players from the North and South divisions of the league.
The Rocky Mountain Raiders bantam triple-A team was well represented at the game by six players – including Strathmore’s Karissa Hammond – along with her teammates, Emma Borbandy and Erin Fargey from Langdon, Breanne Trotter and Lacey Dimaulo from Okotoks and Kennedy Moore from Chestermere.
Raiders head coach Jordan Fenton, who was also the South All Star team’s coach, liked what he saw from Hammond and credits her skill level to her development in minor hockey.
“I think all the players from the Raiders represented themselves well. I think with the Raiders program, being a composite team from the communities surrounding Calgary, it’s a testament to the skill development that is done at the local minor hockey level,” said Fenton. “Karissa Hammond, coming through Strathmore Minor Hockey, she played extremely well and an aggressive player that battled hard and a player that never gives up on the defensive side of the puck.”
He felt that she came into her own against the top players and put in a consistent effort throughout the game.
“I think she played consistent the same way she plays for the Raiders in being one of the top defensemen in the league,” said Fenton.
Hammond will never forget this game, as it has been a very memorable moment so far in her career.
“It was my first time being in something like that, it exciting to be with all the good players in the league and playing a highly (skilled) game with all them,” said Hammond.
She felt nervous at first, but settled once the game wore on.
“At first I was kind of nervous, our team stayed together and no one quit,” said Hammond.
The Raiders team has had to work hard in all their games to earn wins and Hammond has contributed immensely with her play.
“We have to work hard, last year we had more skill but this year we have to work hard every game. Every time I’m on the ice I’m improving and learning something different,” said Hammond.
The team’s road trips have been a highlight for her so far this year because she likes to bond with her teammates.