The Warren Wildcats women’s hockey team is already having success just days into their inaugural season.
After only two practices, the Wildcats played their first-ever game on Tuesday in the Manitoba Women’s High School Hockey League Preseason Alignment Tournament, where they defeated the Beausejour Barons 3-0 at Hockey For All Centre.
“They played so well,” said head coach Sam Strassburger. “It was exciting to see what two days of them practicing together can bring for them. I don’t know if they had high expectations for this season but the way they came out kind of solidified they can actually do well this year if we really put in the work and it’s not going to just be a first-year trial and error.”
Strassburger is heading up the club this season in her first year coaching high school hockey.
A resident of Grosse Isle, Strassburger brings coaching experience from the U18 AAA Lighting, a team she currently coaches on top of the Wildcats.
This summer, she was offered the position after being recommended by parents who have had her as a coach for their kids in past seasons.
“It was kind of brought on to me,” said Strassburger. “I never got to play high school hockey, so I thought it would be pretty awesome to be the first coach to start that program and give those girls the opportunity.”
Alongside her are assistants Kasey Riddell, Megan Humeniuk, and general manager Michelle Riddell.
The team will practice twice a week before school days this season, with most of their games played on weekdays after school.
Strassburger said the roster has a handful of grade 9 and 12 students, with a majority in grades 10 and 11.
The team also has two players from Teulon Collegiate, making them a joint team approved by the MWHSHL.
“A lot of them are really excited,” said Strassburger. “Especially some who haven’t played hockey in six years or so because they didn’t play at that double-A, triple-A level, then there’s not really anything else in the area for them. They are excited to get back on the ice, play, and it be more fun than necessarily structured and serious.”
The Wildcats play three total games in the Preseason Alignment Tournament to determine which of the three MWHSHL divisions they will compete in this season.
Once they know which division they will be in, their 22-game schedule (11 home, 11 away) will be released, and home games will be played at Warren Arena.
