Kelsey McHolm is excited about the group she’ll have in front of her with the U18 AAA Female Interlake Lightning this season.
McHolm enters her first full campaign as head coach of the U18s after stepping into the role early in 2024-25.
The Lightning finished eighth last year before bowing out to the Eastman Selects in the opening round of the Manitoba Female Hockey League playoffs. Several veterans aged out, leaving room for a new-look roster this fall.
This year’s squad features nine local players, six returnees and a strong group of Winnipeg recruits who rounded out the lineup.
The club came together for its first tournament of the season last weekend in Portage la Prairie, where it went 1-3 in four exhibition games at Stride Place.
“We’re a pretty hardworking group, and just bring a lot of fun to the ice,” McHolm said. “It makes the games a lot more enjoyable when you’ve got a group full of kids that are smiling and enjoying what they’re doing, and that’s what I loved about this past weekend. We went one win, three losses, but even through the losses it was a lot of smiles, a lot of positive feedback, and just overall it was a good weekend to kind of get our toes wet jumping into the season.”
The Lightning faced teams from Saskatchewan along with two league opponents. Their lone victory came Friday in a 2-1 decision over Central Plains.
Wearing the ‘C’ this year is defenceman Ellis Pearson, back for her second season with the U18s. She’ll be joined by alternate captains Kashlynn Kiesman and Blake Darragh — both returnees — and newcomer Lily Macgregor, who played last season with the Central Plains Capitals.
“We’ve got a really strong leadership group. I’m looking forward to seeing where they grow,” McHolm said.
Behind the bench, McHolm is joined by assistants Sam Strassburger and Allison Sexton, with Rachel Dyck serving as goalie coach. Kasey Riddell continues in his role as vice-director of girls’ and women’s hockey for the Lightning program.
The Lightning are now preparing to drop the puck on the regular season with their home opener Saturday against the Winnipeg Avros at Veterans Memorial Sports Complex.
“I’m super grateful I get the opportunity to coach,” McHolm said. “It’s a class-act organization and I’m super grateful to be a part of it. I originally joined as a skill development coach last year for all three teams and then it worked out that I was able to jump in as head coach.
“Being able to work alongside someone like Kasey Riddell, he’s just super devoted to growing the female program and very passionate about growing the game in the Interlake region. That’s something I really connected with and want the best for the sport. To be able to work alongside him and have support from him goes a long way and it grows the organization.”
Upcoming games
• Saturday, Sept. 27 vs. Winnipeg Avros, 8 p.m., Veterans Memorial Sports Complex (home opener)
• Sunday, Sept. 28 vs. Yellowhead Chiefs, 2:30 p.m., Veterans Memorial Sports Complex
