By Radha Agarwal
A group of B.C. B次元官网网址榃interhawksB次元官网网址� are taking the world of girlB次元官网网址檚 hockey by storm, representing the province for the first time ever in the 64th annual U13 World Championships in Quebec City this week.
But for coach Karen Kos and her North Shore Winter Club team, this feat not only represents the tireless efforts of each individual player B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 a highlight in the journey of womenB次元官网网址檚 hockey.
The 11-day long tournament was initially in tandem with Quebec Winter Carnival. It has been a growing ground for NHL legends, like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, along with prominent players like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. Due to its long and rich heritage, it is also described as hockeyB次元官网网址檚 version of the Little League World Series.
After six decades, it was just last year in 2023 that the series added a Female Division.
B次元官网网址淚t goes back to when I was young myself and I wanted to play hockey. I was told I couldnB次元官网网址檛 play because I was a girl,B次元官网网址� says Kos.
For the coach, taking part in the tournament marks a significant benchmark of transformation and growth for womenB次元官网网址檚 and girlB次元官网网址檚 hockey.
B次元官网网址淭hese girls were just siblings running around a rink when their brothers were playing at the North Shore Winter Club. Here we are today, with this phenomenal group of young ladies pursuing their passion. It hits my heart beyond belief.B次元官网网址�
Kos has coached these girls since they were five and six years old. Now 11 and 12 years old, they are part of the 15-player squad at the winter club. They crushed the Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association Tier 1 U13 League, taking first place.
B次元官网网址淚 really believe in mentorship,B次元官网网址� Kos said. B次元官网网址淲hen these girls are walking around the club, theyB次元官网网址檙e getting high fives from young girls that are aspiring to be like them. ItB次元官网网址檚 really important that theyB次元官网网址檙e not just trailblazers in their sport, but set a really positive vibe for the younger ones, and mentor them throughout their journeys.B次元官网网址�
The Winterhawks are playing their first exhibition match on Feb 7, and officially competing against the B次元官网网址淪uisse Romande ChouettesB次元官网网址� from Switzerland on Feb 9.
Kos believes that their team is well-equipped for some stiff competition this year. She was fortunate enough to visit Toronto in January and familiarize herself with whatB次元官网网址檚 to come.
B次元官网网址淲e do know there will be some great teams there. I think weB次元官网网址檒l be okay, weB次元官网网址檝e a great skating group which understands the game, their roles and their positions,B次元官网网址� she said.
Their foremost strategy is to maintain the hunt for the puck and keep possession. In KosB次元官网网址檚 informed opinion, there is something special about this group of girls, and when they hit the ice itB次元官网网址檚 magical to watch. She says theyB次元官网网址檙e highly competitive and feisty, while also being very respectful and trusting towards one another.
SheB次元官网网址檚 preparing the team to have over 10,000 fans on the bleachers in Quebec.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l have lots of hockey and lots of fun. But most importantly, weB次元官网网址檒l do our best to make B.C. proud.B次元官网网址�
