You might call them Friday night girls, but unlike the Mary Walsh and Cathy Jones characters of CODCO fame, these women have no trouble having fun on he first night of the weekend.
They belong to the Eastern Edge Hockey League, which has quietly, but successfully, operated for two decades in St. John’s.
What started in 1999 as a group of players going for an early-morning skate at 6 a.m. has grown into a circuit of eight recreational teams with nearly 120 players, aged 25 and older, with varying degrees of skill level.
They play on Friday nights at the Capital Hyundai Arena, with four games — complete with referees and timekeepers — on each weekly schedule.
The Eastern Edge 25+ league isn’t the only local female hockey circuit that got underway on Friday.
The Eastern Junior Women’s Hockey League began its new season at Feildian Gardens in St. John’s with four teams — the Blizzard, Metro Eastern Valve, Universal Corporate Wear and the Eastern Ice Breakers.
All of this is happening on World Women’s Hockey Weekend, with events being held around the globe, including skills sessions and free skates being hosted by various minor associations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
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Eastern Edge League rosters
The Eastern Edge Hockey League's 2019-20 season, which will stretch into April, began on Friday. Here are the rosters for the eight teams that took to the ice:
• Hanlon Realty
Goalie: Sarah MacPherson
Forwards: Cherry Pike, Deb Hutchings, Diana Tibbo, Eunece Woodfine, Jennifer Clarke, Karen Reynolds, Patti Stanley, Theresa Minnett, Wendy Clarke
Defence: Elaine Reid, Jennifer Woodrow, Sherry Morrissey, Toni Ryan
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• Hickman Automotive Group
Goalie: Donna Downey
Forwards: Amanda White, Catherine Dawe, Colleen Brennan, Deb Thomas, Jamie Huggett, Karen O'Neill, Sandi Ennis, Sharon Coady, Valerie Drew
Defence: Alison Hickman, Mary Tilley, Sharon Russell, Susan White
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• Inn By The Bay
Goalie: Kathy Hackett
Forwards: Daphne Sullivan, Gayle Sullivan, Jessica Lewis Woodman, Karla Rumbolt, Lisa Lang, Lynette Wells, Steph Johnson, Tara Stuckless, Tracey Greene
Defence: Katie Woodford, Nancy Kennedy, Ros Parsons, Sandra King
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• Perry and Power
Goalie: Christa Curnew
Forwards: Betty Cheung, Jackie Penney, Jennifer Browne, Jill Blackmore, Kelly Mitchelmore, Kristine Whittle, Nicole Squires, Suzanne Steele, Tina Auchinleck-Ryan
Defence: Allison Sturge, Dwan Street, Lisa Voisey, Margie Woodman
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• The Travel Bug
Goalie: Angie Bartle
Forwards: Barb Battcock, Gina Keeping, Heather MacKenzie, Karen Phillips, Karen Quigley, Leah George, Liz Ohle, Lynn Moriarity, Tina Hunt
Defence: Dawn Sharpe, Janice Pelley, Nancy Healey, Tara O'Keefe
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• Tucker Electronics
Goalie: Sue Rideout-Vivian
Forwards: Jennifer Gibbons, Jess Foley, Krista Baker, Lisa Smith, Lori Johnson, Nish Biles, Tammy O'Brien, Tanya Gilbert, Tracy Edison
Defence: Bobbi Russell, Lana Stead, Pauline Wall-Oakey, Yvonne Knight
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• Wedgewood Physio
Goalie: Cathy Mann
Forwards: Audrey Dalton, Courtney Snow, Faythe Cooper, Glenda Lake, Kris Poduska, Laura Neville, Liz Duff, Michelle Gardiner, Tanya Schwartz
Defence: Karen Martin, Kim Maher, Kim Pelley, Louise Cormier
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• White Lightning
Goalie: Kim Harris
Forwards: Brenda Tilley, Csop Glew, Darlene Ryan, Denise Flynn, Heather Grant, Jelyssa Brenton, Natelle Tulk, Roxanne Galway, Sue Quinton
Defence: Clara McCue, Linda Badcock, Nicole Percey, Susan Stuckless
