Charlottetown, P.E.I. – An 18-player roster, balanced from four of five P.E.I. ringette clubs, will be stepping into the Collicutt Centre in February and competing for their home province in the Canada Games.
Only one athlete named to P.E.I.’s ringette squad has not competed on the national stage before, but the Canada Games are a whole new beast for everyone. The two-week, multi-sport event has the ability to pull out the best of its competitors and that’s exactly what head coach Tara O’Brien is looking forward to seeing in Red Deer, Alta.
The team’s preparations started in May 2017 with the goal of having players at their best this February. Being on the ice twice a week, a session at Synergy Fitness and Nutrition and dry-land training are the chosen catalysts for success in Team P.E.I.’s weekly routine. This weekend, players will be put to the test as they take on defending National Ringette League champions, the Atlantic Attack.
“It will be an excellent game to work on our defensive tactics, one of the most important components in ringette,” said assistant coach Mike James.
The game will be played Sunday at 11 a.m. at MacLauchlan Arena rink A.
James, along with Mike Devine, will assist O’Brien with the team’s coaching duties. O’Brien and her staff are excited to use this experience, against the semi-pro team, as a stepping stone en route to the Games. Being a former Canada Games athlete herself, she knows how important a game like this is while preparing for a major competition.
Team captains Brittney MacCormac, Madi Fisher and Alex McMonagle are currently leading by example, on and off the ice. The three have proven to create a harmonious working relationship with their teammates.
Leadership from the three will be important in the team’s upcoming match against the Atlantic Attack but also at the pre-Games tournament hosted in Pierrefonds on Montreal Island from Jan. 2-6. The historic French city is excited to provide seven Canada Games ringette teams the opportunity to work out any last minute jitters or kinks.
This could especially be true for P.E.I.’s youngest player, Olivia Devine. Although being 14-years-old, and competing against those who are 20, she hasn’t yet shown any jitters competing against the older athletes. Devine will be eligible for the next Winter Games, hosted here on P.E.I. in 2023, but will look to her three captains for advice in preparations this time round.
A game that involves strategy, grit and a lot of skill will take a group effort to be successful. Team P.E.I.’s 2019 Canada Games ringette players will look to do just that. A long journey together will provide memories and relationships to last a lifetime, and the chance at a national championship come February.
For information on Team P.E.I. and the 2019 Winter Canada Games, stay tuned for more Countdown to the Games articles and be sure to follow Team P.E.I. on Facebook and Twitter.
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Need to know
A look at the Team P.E.I. ringette roster for the 2019 Canada Games in Red Deer, Alta.
Goaltenders
Georgia Fraser
Danielle Steadman
Defence
Christina Devine
Madi Fisher
Kayda Hawkins
Danielle Hayes
Brittney MacCormac
Alex McMonagle
Forwards
Natalie Caron
Autumn Chandler
Devon Costello
Olivia Devine
Abby James
Quinn Kirkland
Haley Larkin
Sarah Legault
Carley Matheson
Robyn Power
Coaching staff
Head coach Tara O’Brien
Assistant coach Mike James
Assistant coach Mike Devine
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