Norfolk Hericanes captain Ava Dyrew, left, dekes around a Stoney Creed defender to get a shot on net.
By Chris Abbott
Norfolk Hericanes Girls Hockey Association is building back up with seven teams this season - U9 house league, U13B, U15B and three U18 teams (B, BB & house league).
“We were so close to making a U11 team this year, we worked really hard at our Hericane for a Day event, and we got within five players of making a team,” said Gerry Dumoulin, coach of the U13s. “If we could just get five more girls who knew about the sport and the organization, it would happen.”
Often girls play co-ed minor hockey until the peewee age, then switch to an all-girls program. But when U13 (11 and 12-year-old) players come from different organizations, and different coaches, it sometimes provides a challenge, said Dumoulin.
All but two of the U13 Hericanes are 11-year-olds turning 12 this season.
“They come and play for us, but it’s hard because development is hit and miss for different house leagues. That first year can sometimes be tough. But what is really special about the Hericanes – especially this group right here – is that all these girls really like each other. They get along not just as players, but as friends, too, and that does not always happen.”
As the Hericanes move up in age divisions, Dumoulin said the girls will benefit from playing on the same team.
He could point to the success of the current Hericanes U15 B team, fresh from house league last season, now 2nd overall in the OWHL – Southern B 12-team South Division.
“They build that communication, they build that camaraderie over the years. They’re excited for each other’s successes. It’s not like they are competing for a spot on an A team or BB, it’s just ‘We’re a team and this us and we’re in it together.’ It’s about building relationships – that’s what makes this organization so special. If they stick together, they will be that much stronger.”
The U9 team is a new addition, said Dumoulin, encouraged by the newest Hericanes.
“And I think there are 84 girls in house league in all the different Norfolk areas, between Waterford, Port Dover and Simcoe, at the U11 age and lower. If they come out… oh what the organization could be.”
The quality of coaches throughout the Hericanes organization should help, he said, with a wealth of hockey knowledge.
“We have a really good base to start building again.”
On Nov. 23, the U13 Hericanes were edged 2-0 by third-place Stoney Creek Sabres, who took a 1-0 lead going top-shelf on a rush down the left wing, then banged home a rebound insurance goal on a power play.
Norfolk’s best scoring opportunity might have been Ava Dyrew weaving into open space in the slot in front of Stoney Creek’s net to unleash a hard wrist shot.
“I told the girls that was the best game they’ve played all season,” said Dumoulin, “as far as working together as a team. We were in there… and our goalie (Gracie Bannister) is exceptional, too.
“The conversation before the game was, ‘I believe in you girls, and you girls believe in each other. Let’s go out there and play hard… and set our own personal goals. So each girls picked something before the game, ‘I’m going to do this really well,’ and they just went out there and did it. I was so proud of them.
“If we can figure out how to put a little more offensive pressure on them, that’s a different game. But we’ve got a whole season to figure that out.”
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