A recreational women's hockey group in Bragg Creek is seeking new players as they head into the new year.
Bragg Creek Ladies Hockey meets at the hamlet's local outdoor rink every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. for a few hours of drills and shinny. While the group has occasionally gotten upwards of 20 players at the weekly gatherings, organizer Kelly Kangles said some Tuesday nights only see about a dozen players join in the fun.
“Last year we had a huge turnout,” she said. “I think it was a post-COVID thing and people were just dying to get out.
“But this year, I think we’ve got 15 or 16 registered players and a few more coming in. Last week, we only had 11 players, so you’re not switching off during shinny.”
Kangles said she's been organizing Bragg Creek Ladies Hockey sessions for the last four or five years, although she noted the group has been playing together for much longer than that.
Before last year, she said they played at a rink in nearby Redwood Meadows. That was because Redwood Meadows' rink was more modern and they had a Zamboni to flood the ice.
“The Bragg rink has been more of a local community skating rink,” Kangles explained. “But now they’ve got a really good rink committee…that do all the flooding and icing and take care of it. I’ve been told they do the flooding at like 2 a.m.
“They’ve strung up Christmas lights and have got sponsors on the boards. It’s a super cute rink now and it’s getting more use.”
The group includes players of all skill levels, Kangles said, noting there is a healthy mix of hockey experience. Rather than competition, she said the main point of the weekly skates is to have fun and get some exercise.
“We have all skill levels, so we have ladies who are really experienced hockey or ringette players and just want to get out again,” she said. “And then we have some who are literally just learning. They can skate, but are just becoming stronger skaters and are learning the game.”
Many of the players are local hockey moms, with their own kids in the sport, according to Kangles.
“So you’re already around it all the time and it’s fun to go and participate yourself,” she said. “For some moms with young kids at home, this is just their night out. Every Tuesday, they know they get to go out on the ice, have fun, and get some exercise.”
They’re likely taking a break over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays and starting back up on Jan. 10, 2023. Kangles said the intend to play every Tuesday until the end of February, weather permitting.
Interested players need to bring their own hockey equipment, including hockey skates, a stick, and a helmet with a full cage. Beyond that, other hockey equipment is optional.
Those interested in joining the group can email [email protected] to learn more.
