The Diamond Energy Female Midget AAA Wildcats had a weekend off from league play, and spent it team-building in Kimberley, B.C.

The weekend started off watching former Wildcat Keely Chalk and her University of Lethbridge Pronghorns team take on the University of Calgary Dinos on Friday, before touring the team's facility Saturday morning.

"That was nice to get the weekend started watching Keely play, and giving our kids - especially our younger kids - an idea of what the level of play at the U-Sports level looks like," said head coach of the Wildcats, Terry Pavely.

The Wildcats team moved west to Kimberley for two games against the Kimberley Nitro Express, producing wins of 8-0 and 9-0.

The real benefits of the bus trip, along with rock climbing and hiking, were much more valuable to the team than the two exhibition wins, according to Pavely.

 

He and the coaching staff hopes that the weekend of bonding is hopefully a recipe for success on the ice.

"We're hoping that getting to know each other, getting to trust each other off the ice will pay off on the ice, so that you get the same thing where people compete for each other. The closer-knit you are, the more willing you are to sacrifice some of your personal interests for the betterment of the team."

However, the off-ice benefit is key, and what Pavely says is the great thing about sports.

"We all like to win and we all like to compete, but the reality of it is that for most people sports isn't going to be their livelihood," Pavely said. "It's important to build relationships and learn how to work as a team, and work with other people in order to be successful and productive citizens."

Back to the on-ice side of things, the Wildcats host the Notre Dame Hounds Friday at Fairview West.