When Minnesota Whitecaps defender Olivia Knowles name is mentioned, a theme that continues to crop up is the word fearless.
After all, growing up in a large family, Knowles had to fight for everything growing up. It was one of the reasons she made hockey her sport of choice, after taking on gymnastics as a youngster. Knowles however, wouldnB次元官网网址檛 necessarily see it that way.
B次元官网网址淚 took on all sports,B次元官网网址� said Knowles after practice before game two of the Isobel Cup playoff series against the Boston Pride on Saturday night, a game the Whitecaps prevailed 4-1 to advance to the Premier Hockey Federation B次元官网网址� North AmericaB次元官网网址檚 professional womenB次元官网网址檚 hockey circuit B次元官网网址� finals.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not one whoB次元官网网址檚 afraid of a challenge or stepping outside of my boundaries. I usually try to jump into things with confidence and do my best at everything I do.B次元官网网址�
No kidding. With a minor league hockey system that is now anchored by the Campbell River Minor Hockey Association (CRMHA)B次元官网网址檚 Tyees and girlsB次元官网网址� Hurricanes, the foundation of girls hockey wasnB次元官网网址檛 yet available when KnowlesB次元官网网址� grew up. Thus, she played on boys teams until her mid teens.
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B次元官网网址淚t was a tight-knit community,B次元官网网址� Knowles said. B次元官网网址淎 lot of the people you saw at the rink, you saw at the soccer field or in school. You crossed paths with those people in school and stuff like that. I was never someone who settled being a bottom of the barrel player, as I never wanted to be looked at as the token girl. Practicing a lot with my older brothersB次元官网网址� team after my practices was a way of challenging myself as well.B次元官网网址�
Those experiences developed Knowles as a player with a competitive edge and tenacious spirit. With those humble beginnings, she has excelled as a player at every stop, collecting medals with Team BC (in 2016), with the U18 Canadian national team, and at the University of Minnesota, where she holds the record for all-time games played with the Gophers.
She sees the opportunities she has gained as a result lead to signing with the Whitecaps last spring. Entering the Isobel Cup playoffs this year, Knowles sees her small town roots as something that has carried her to success with the professionals.
B次元官网网址淚n Campbell River growing up, there was always new people on the team, and new coaches,B次元官网网址� said Knowles. B次元官网网址淲e had different obstacles each year, and we werenB次元官网网址檛 always the best team. That kind of experience is comparable to being professional. We were on a losing streak for a bit there, having won at the beginning of the season before the tides turned a bit. Facing that adversity playing hockey in Campbell River, helped out a lot. I knew we could figure it out and iron it out by the end. It was just a case of trusting the process.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the same kind of thing here. We are peaking at the right time, trusting the mentality that weB次元官网网址檙e going to sell out for one another. Hopefully we can go on a deep run.B次元官网网址�
With their victory over the top-seeded Pride, the Minnesota Whitecaps now take on the Toronto Six this weekend for the Isobel Cup. Knowles says itB次元官网网址檚 a case of just doing the little things that will bring the Whitecaps success.
B次元官网网址淲e found a way to win,B次元官网网址� said Knowles. B次元官网网址淲e just have to keep it going.B次元官网网址�
Edward Hitchins
edward.hitchins@campbellrivermirror.com
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