The U18 Westman Wildcats recently completed their training camp for the 2023/24 season and head coach Guy Williams told bdnmb.ca that he is “looking forward to a great season with a great group of athletes.” “Our expectations for the season never change. We expect to compete for a Provincial Championship each and every year. We expect to outwork the opponent across the ice from us, to never back down from a challenge and to Never Be Satisfied”.
As with every hockey organization, the roster takes on a different look to start each campaign. The team graduated a number of forwards, who were leaders both on and off the ice last season, including 4-year player Hayley Kolosky and team captain Sophia Anderson. Goaltender Grace Glover, who was an All Star, Top Goaltender and Playoff MVP, also graduated.
The team will enter the season with two young goaltenders (Danica Averill, Kylie Hack) who Williams believes will be up to the challenge of a full season at u18. “We have a trio of forwards coming in with a history of putting up points at all levels, Ivy Perkin, Shayla Scinocca and Sydney Sass” said Williams. “And we have brought in some young defensemen who will play a mixture of positions for us this year in Kadence Mann, Charlie Shearer and Devyn Moncur“.
To prepare the coming season, the coaching staff will begin by getting players up to speed in practice on their expectations relating to effort and intensity. This will be followed by the introduction of their core systems and guiding team tactical principles. The team has held a number of practices and last evening they played they first exhibition game, a 4-0 victory over the Yellowhead Chiefs. They have two additional practices scheduled this coming week, prior to embarking on a road trip to Calgary for a tournament. The following weekend the team will be back in Manitoba for a tournament in Central Plains and then the league begins. “Throughout, we will be breaking down game video and fine tuning aspects of our game with the players” finished Williams.
