Winning national gold

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

Strathmore High School students Brooklyn Munro and Kyla Koester (17) helped the Zone 2 U19AA Blaze capture the Canadian Ringette Championships in Ottawa, Ont. from April 3-5.

“It honestly feels surreal,” said Munro, who previously played in Rockyford. “I don’t think I’ve left the past yet.” 

Koester, who played in both Strathmore and Rockyford, had similar feelings on their victory. 

“It’s pretty crazy coming home and being able to say we’re the best team in the country,” said Koester. “It still doesn’t feel real.”

The team was a blend of long-time teammates and new faces from across different associations. It also included SHS graduates Tessa Galandy, Sam Munro, and Talisa Cowley. Despite the diversity of the Blaze, they meshed quickly. 

“It just worked. Half of us had played together for years, and the other half clicked right in,” said Koester.

Munro, a rookie in the U19AA division, made an instant impact on and off the ice. Known for her contagious energy and positive spirit, she proudly embraced her role as one of the team’s unofficial hype leaders.

“I’m pretty crazy and outwardly positive,” she laughed. “I was kind of the team hype-man. I definitely have a loud voice.”

Koester added, “From week one, day one, we just had this energy. We were loud, supportive, and just had fun.”

But beyond the excitement and celebration, Munro and Koester both emphasized that the team’s connection ran deeper than just competition.

“I’ve never played on a team that’s so deep,” Munro said. “We genuinely just loved each other. There were no fake friendships. Practices felt like privileges rather than tasks.”

That strong team bond helped propel Zone 2 to an undefeated run through the tournament, capped off by a composed and determined performance in the gold medal game.

“We were hyped going into it. A little tense, but once we did our warm-up dance, we were loose and ready,” Munro recalled. “We knew – this was our time and we were going to finish the job.”

Munro credits much of the team’s success to head coach Chris Kelly, and the rest of the coaching staff whom she emphasized all played key roles in this team’s success.

“I’ve never had a coach that’s put so much time and care on and off the ice,” said Munro. “His dedication to our team it just made us all want to win for him.”

Munro also highlighted the emotional depth of the week especially playing alongside her older sister Sam, who scored a goal during the tournament.

“I’ve never been so proud of her,” she said. “It was our last time, for a long time, playing with her.”

In the final game against the Quebec Cyclones, the Zone 2 Blaze clinched gold with a tight 3–2 win.

“Our energy just hit an all-time high, in a good way,” said Koester of the final. “Going into half time between the second and third quarter, we ended the second quarter super-duper strong. We knew we had them exactly where we need them. That was when the confidence really kicked in.”

According to Munro, the confidence began at the start of the tournament.

“We showed up to opening ceremonies in these crazy outfits and everyone else was their team gear looking at us like, ‘What are they doing here?’” laughed Munro. “We were there to have fun and ended up taking the championship with us.”