A local First Nations hockey player continues to lead the way as one of the top female scorers in the Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association.

Bree-Anna Henderson, from GwaB次元官网网址檚ala-B次元官网网址楴akwaxdaB次元官网网址檟w First Nation, scored 35 goals in 35 games last season for the Tri-Port Midget Wild, and doesnB次元官网网址檛 seem to be slowing down much this year, as she has already notched three goals and one assist in four games at a tournament in Nanaimo. She will continue to compete in tournaments and league play across Vancouver Island this season.

Henderson is the Tri-Port WildB次元官网网址檚 sniper, also known as B次元官网网址淥vie-HandsB次元官网网址� (courtesy of her coach Mike Bell), because of her thunderous slapshot and how she always seems to find the back of the net.

She said that she originally wasnB次元官网网址檛 too interested in playing ice hockey, but because of her brother Evan encouraging her to try it out, she ended up joining a Port Hardy hockey team.

Henderson has also played ball hockey in her community at the Wakas Hall for nearly her whole life, which is where she first started to hone her shooting skills.

She picked up ice hockey early on, around the age of nine, and ended up playing rep hockey for the North Island Bantam Eagles before moving on to join the first ever all female minor hockey team on the North Island, the Tri-Port Midget Wild, where she has been a fixture for the last four years. During her time spent with the team, sheB次元官网网址檚 usually played on the same line with Jessica Wadhams, from Alert Bay, and Sonja Walkus, who she grew up with in her community.

At the Oct. 5-7 Nanaimo tournament, the Wild tied their first game 3-3 against the Cowichan Valley Capitals (Henderson scored the game tying goal in the third period), before going on to win three straight games to lay claim to the gold medals.

Henderson mentioned her practices usually consist of shooting at the net and passing the puck to her teammates. If the whole team is at practice, the coaches will hold whatB次元官网网址檚 known as a scrimmage game.

Her aggressive slapshots, from years of practice during her early years of ball and ice hockey, have continually allowed her to help lead her team to countless victories, including numerous gold medals at tournaments and winning last yearB次元官网网址檚 Female Midget C league banner.

She said that her success has come from B次元官网网址渨orking hard with my teammates and scoring - ItB次元官网网址檚 about going hard for the puck,B次元官网网址� she added.

She modestly commented that the only time sheB次元官网网址檚 been excited over any of her hockey games was when one of her teammates scored her very first goal. B次元官网网址淚 was on a line with her, set her up for the goal,B次元官网网址� she mentioned. B次元官网网址淚 yelled really loud and went out to hug her. ThatB次元官网网址檚 the only time IB次元官网网址檝e ever celebrated.B次元官网网址�

During the interview, Henderson stated that itB次元官网网址檚 not all about scoring goals. Rather, for her, it is about working with her team to secure the win. She emphasized that without her teammates to set up her shots, she wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have had such an impressive performance last season.

Mandy Foldy, whoB次元官网网址檚 playing forward with Henderson this season, also noted that this particular team is very strong on offence. Foldy currently plays the centre position with Henderson at her side, which results in the two assisting on each otherB次元官网网址檚 goals.

Foldy stated that this seasonB次元官网网址檚 team is fairly new, but they B次元官网网址渨ork well togetherB次元官网网址� with an emphasis on strong attacking. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been winning gold all the time,B次元官网网址� she said, mainly in part because of the teamB次元官网网址檚 scoring capabilities, strong defence from Madison Van Will and Chloe Noel, and excellent goaltending from Avary Miller.

Henderson concluded that sheB次元官网网址檚 nearly at the point of finishing her minor hockey career, but is hopeful to keep playing after.

Since itB次元官网网址檚 her last season, sheB次元官网网址檚 now more focused on assisting her teammates and less so on scoring.

B次元官网网址淢ostly now I try to set up people to score, because the last three years IB次元官网网址檝e been the top scorer on the team,B次元官网网址� she said with a smile.

Henderson also noted that after finishing her final season she plans on B次元官网网址渃oaching the younger Tri-Port Wild team.B次元官网网址�

The Tri-Port Midget Wild won 21 games straight last season, only losing in the very final game of the playoffs with the Female Midget C playoff banner on the line.

The Wild also won the Ross Cup in Shawnigan Lake and the Ice Classic tournament in Richmond.

- With files from Tyson Whitney