Local follows sisters’ footsteps to Alberta Winter Games

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

Kaia Borbandy’s aggressive style of play earned her a spot on the Zone 2 Big Country hockey team at the Alberta Winter Games next month.
The Langdon native is following in the footsteps of her older sisters Emma and Teagan, who also played in the games and have been giving her valuable advice.
“I was excited because my sisters have all gone through it and I went to go watch it looks they had an awesome experience so I wanted to have that chance to experience it,” said Borbandy, who plays for the Rocky Mountain Raiders bantam triple-A team.
Once she arrives at the games, she is looking forward to new experiences and the atmosphere at the four-day event. Borbandy hopes the event will help her with future opportunities.
“Talking with my sisters and other people, they say it’s a really good experience,” said Borbandy. “They separate you from your families. I’ve never experienced that before. I think that will be a real eye opener because I’m excited for the opening ceremonies and maybe get an invite to U16 if I do really well.”
While she said that she was nervous at tryouts, she was able to overcome her nerves and worked hard at being non-stop on the puck and being a team player.
However, she thinks there is work to be done before she heads out to the games.
“I feel I can do better going for opportunities,” said Borbandy. “Sometimes I feel I give up on opportunities. I feel if I stay on my opportunities I can generate a goal. Off ice, I feel just training, quick feet and shooting pucks will make me a better player.”
Zone 2’s head coach Haley Irwin said it was a short evaluation camp and they were looking for players who compete and showed up consistently, and Borbandy was able to fit that bill.
“For her, she could definitely make plays,” said two-time Olympic gold medalist.
“She’s a good skater. Her head’s up and she really likes to her use her teammates and those are all positive things. In terms of roles, we need every single player playing and that’s what we expect of her and consistent play every single game. We obviously want these girls to grow and develop.”
The 2016 Alberta Winter Games are from Feb. 13-16 in Medicine Hat.