The P.E.I. Under-15 Female AAA Hockey League will open its 2020-21 regular season on Friday.
The defending-champion Central Storm will visit the Mid-Isle Wildcats at the South Shore Actiplex in Crapaud. Game time is 8:30 p.m.
The league’s three teams, also including the Western Wind, will play a 28-game season that will see eight interlocking games with three New Brunswick teams – Moncton Rocket, Fundy Hericanes and Western Phantoms.
After the regular season, the P.E.I. teams will compete in the provincial playoffs to determine the winner of the 2021 Dawn Moase Cup.
Following is a look at the P.E.I. teams:
Storm
This year’s Storm, which features a mix of new and returning players, has a new head coach, Chris Harkness, who is assisted by Maggie Grimmer and Jessica Cameron.
Returning players include Taysha Kirkham, Cassie Gordon, Renee Chapman, Carys Jelly, Aylssa Perry, Paige Hancock, Abby Larkin and Grace London. New to the team this year are Isa MacPhee, Emily Gradiner, Miah Lawlor, Hannah Whalen, Petra Klimes, Carly Acorn, Taylor Hunter and Olivia Lowe.
The Storm, based out of Simmons Sport Centre in Charlottetown, is looking forward to a competitive season.
Wildcats
The Wildcats have nine returning players who will be complemented by seven rookies. Ryan Kelly is back as head coach, and his assistants are Steve Langley, Paul Crabbe and Carla Stewart.
The Wildcats will focus on teamwork, sportsmanship and play for the pure love of the game.
The Wildcats’ home arena is the South Shore Actiplex.
Wind
The Wind features an all-female coaching staff, led by rookie head coach and former Wind player Sami Sentner. Her assistant coaches are Cailin Gaudet, Hannah DesRoches and Gracyn Handrahan.
The O’Leary-based Wind, representing five minor hockey associations between Tignish and Summerside, anticipates a competitive season. They will look to the veteran players for leadership as well as several players who have made the transition from male to female hockey.
