The Swift Current Innovation Federal Credit Union U18 AAA Wildcats will be well represented at the National Women's Under-18 Hockey Championship starting on Sunday.
Forwards Evangeline Hill and Cassidy Peters and defenceman Amiyah Jones will suit up for Saskatchewan in the eight-team tournament held in Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
All three of them will be wearing a provincial jersey for the first time in their careers when they take to the ice Sunday morning to play against Team Atlantic (PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador).
"I think it's a huge honour," Hill said. "I've played in Saskatchewan my whole life, this is my home province, and I think it's a really cool experience I get to do this.
"I'm fully excited for the whole experience. It's going to be a grind and it's going to be hard but I'm just excited to be able to experience it will all the girls, with my teammates and be able to represent Saskatchewan and come from Swift Current."
The trio of players fly out of Regina this morning and will play three straight days in pool play against the aforementioned Atlantic, Quebec, and Alberta. Playing amongst the best women under 18 in Canada on a large stage and crowd draws some mixed emotions from the Wildcats.
"It's a little nerve-racking but I'm just going to try and do my best and play my game and hopefully everything goes well," Jones said.
"It will be a lot of pressure but try to go out there, have fun, do what you do, you're on this team for a reason," Peters said.
One thing that will help the three Swift Current players is having current teammates alongside them for the endeavour.
"It helps with the nerves because I will be able to talk with them about being nervous in general and what it's going to be like," Hill assured.
At minimum Saskatchewan will play five games; three in the round-robin, one quarterfinal, and one semi-final or placement game.
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