Trisha Shanks
Arrow Lakes News
To coin Stompin’ Tom Connors, the ladies of Nakusp are once again taking to the ice to enjoy the best game you can name. After more than nine years’ hiatus, novice player Sheila Seaton is reviving Ladies Hockey in Nakusp.
“I have always wanted to play hockey but for one reason or another, I never did and until recently I was too intimidated to try,” Seaton said.
Finally taking the time to improve on her childhood skating abilities since the ice went in this fall, Seaton has also been practicing her hockey skills with the help of an experienced friend.
Organizers are hoping that there is some used hockey gear laying around in people’s basements which they are willing to lend or sell to newcomers so that the lack of equipment won’t be a deterrent to new players.
Sarah Sanders played in the previous incarnation for five years, enjoying the comradery of other women and travelling to tournaments. She said it came to an end when the players started having kids or their own kids got old enough to play hockey, resulting in moms hanging up their skates. Figure skating her whole life, Sanders started playing hockey at 16. “It’s a fun way to get exercise.”
Leah Gilliland, mother to Jake, who plays in the Atoms and Isaac who plays Peewee, says she is an “okay skater, but not good at hockey.” She is looking forward to wiping out the most on the team.
There are a number of seasoned players coming out but some of the women are very new to the game. All levels are welcome and the season begins Friday November 7. As of press time, thanks to Facebook recruiting and word of mouth, a dozen players are confirmed with a number of others showing interest and trying to find gear.
For the month of November, ice time will be on Friday nights at 6:30 p.m. and possibly switching to different night depending on what works for the team members. With the number of women interested, Seaton says it’s possible keep the cost under $125.00 per player for the season however, the final amount will be determined by the actual number of participants, the quantity of ice times and the cost of insurance.
Anyone interested in playing or lending/selling gear can contact Sheila Seaton at 250-265-1998 or find her by the same name on Facebook.