By / Kristi Patton
The B.C. Breakers went into uncharted territory as one of the founding teams of the Western Women’s Hockey League and as they continue to develop so does female hockey in the province.
The team, now owned by USM Sports Group, broke off from the original National Women’s Hockey League. It was a league that had teams competing right across the country, but differences amongst board members saw the league break off into two sections. One league with eastern teams (NWHL/CWHL) and the other features western teams from both Canada and the U.S. (WWHL).
“Both B.C. Hockey and Hockey Canada clearly support us and recognize the players. We are pioneers for female hockey and the Breakers goal is to bring the best female talent here while inspiring the younger female players,” said Gary Berman, general manager for the Breakers.
The Breakers operate as a Junior hockey franchise would.
They have game sponsors, acknowledge the importance of being involved with youth and are dedicated to building a successful league where talented female hockey players can compete and at the same time s ustain fans to ensure its future.
The team offers players a place to play competitive hockey after their post-secondary years of school are over. Many of the players have had successful careers in NCAA hockey, which has also offered them the opportunity to have scholarships pay for their schooling.
Players on this years Breakers squad like goaltender Desirae Clark (Mercyhurst Lady Lakers, CHA), Alana BreMiller (Dartmouth Big Green, ECAC) and Brooke Bestwick (Cornell Big Red, ECAC) all have had success in college hockey and were looking for a place to lace up their skates competitively afterwards.
“BreMiller is a real leader on the ice but at the same time you have to recognize the tremendous effort of the goaltenders, they are a first class duo,” said Berman, of the Breakers netminders Clark and Jennifer Price.
Clark was consistently a leader in goals against average, save percentage and wins in the CHA, BreMiller leads the breakers in points so far this season and was a force on the blueline during her tenure in post-secondary.
The talent that the Breakers ice and go up against in the WWHL has drawn a lot of interest from young females in the minor hockey system.
The team has had a rough start and December will only be tougher as they prepare for a three-game road-trip against last year’s league and national championship team, the Oval X-treme, which boasts many Olympians including Hayley Wickenheiser.
Berman chalks up the slow start to the fact that they did not officially name a new head coach for the Breakers until right before the beginning of the season, which saw the team lose some ground on other teams.
The general manager is very proud of the Breakers coaching staff.
“Our coaching staff is just wonderful. We have Natalie Christensen who is our coach that is developing the character of the team. Hockey Canada has recognized her as an up-and-comer. She has great perspective as a former player of the Breakers, she understands both the on and off-ice aspects,” said Berman.
For more information on the Breakers or the WWHL visit www.westernwomenshockeyleague.com |