The 13 girls who form the first ever Bishop Alexander
Carter Catholic Secondary School hockey club are making history during the
2005-2006 school year.
Even if they don't win any championships, there will never be another
"first ever" girls hockey team at the school. And judging from
the positive attitude of the girls, they are certainly establishing a
great foundation for the future of this sport at their school.
Three of the players are shown in the photo while they supervised a
fund-raising table at the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre. They are, from
the left: Allison Langlois who plays forward; Kylie Fawcett who is on
defense; and Skylar Boyle, who is a forward. All three girls are 15 years
of age and all are in Grade 10.
The team coach is Kristy MacKenzie, who is trying to follow in her
father's footsteps as a hockey coach. Ken MacKenzie, became
well-known in the region as one of the most successful and popular coaches
of the Sudbury Wolves and later with the Rayside Balfour Sabrecats. Kristy
stated that Ken often comes out to help with practices. Many local fans
will also recall her brother, Derek MacKenzie, the former captain of the
Sudbury Wolves who now toils as a professional with the Chicago Wolves.
Kristy teaches math, phys. ed and art at the school.
Kristy herself was an accomplished hockey player who stayed in the game
until the end of her Midget 'AA' season. She was offered scholarships to
schools in the United States, but declined. In fact, Kristy commented that
while watching Team Canada win the Gold at the Olympics, she saw a number
of former team mates on the club.
The Bishop Alexander Carter hockey team conducted a raffle for an autographed Ottawa Senators jersey in order
to raise funds for the operating expenses of the team. It is hoped that
their fund-raising will be successful enough to help them purchase 'away
jerseys' for the 2006-2007 season. The
draw will be held on March 2, 2006.
The girls returned to the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre to
sell more tickets on Saturday February 25, 2006, when two current stars
from the Sudbury Wolves, Benoit Pouliot and Marc Staal were in the mall
from 2 - 3 p.m. to sign autographs. Below, we see Carissa Henri and
Allison Langlois with their coach, Kristy MacKenzie, standing. Carissa is
a 17 year old Grade 12 student at the school.
