Hopes high for forming female hockey team
Scott Crone currently coaches minor hockey in Drumheller. Next year he would like to see a peewee girls team take the ice, however this means garnering interest now.
He says he is looking for a commitment from girls interested in playing next season. While they are looking at forming a peewee team, which is players born 1999 and 2000. Crone says they are flexible with ages, and will allow some girls to play up and some to play down to the age group.
Currently there are about nine players he knows of that may be interested in playing, but would like more signed up to make a squad.
Crone says there are many positive aspects of having an all girls team, and camaraderie is one aspect that cannot be overlooked. It may encourage more girls to get involved with the sport.
Another is it may encourage more females to continue playing longer. Right now he says there is attrition at the higher levels because many girls simply drop out of hockey.
He says a program may also allow female players to continue with hockey after they finish up with minor hockey. Crone explains for a boy to make it to the NHL the odds are incredibly slim, and in fact the odds of a female player continuing their career are much greater. There are also more opportunities for females players playing in a female league to get noticed. A very skilled female player playing on a boys team for example many not get a second look, however a female tournament could attract scouts that have an eye to building a roster.
Crone stresses the potential players need to be committed as there many be more logistical issues compared to minor hockey where games typically are on weekends.
For more information or to potentially play, contact Scott Crone at 403-321-0058 or crone4@magtech.ca.
