Girls hockey tournament begins in Fredericton

Hockey teams from across New Brunswick will descend on Fredericton for a tournament this weekend. But what sets this competition apart is that every player on the ice is a girl under the age of 13.

“This is the first women’s hockey tournament we’re doing,” said Peter Murphy, organizer and head coach of the St. Thomas University women’s team for the past 21 years.

On Friday evening, 12 girls’ teams from three age groups will start the tournament, under 9 years old, under 11 years old and under 13 years old. They will play all weekend with the winning team crowned on Sunday.

The tournament is primarily played at the Grant-Harvey Center, with a few games played at the Willie O’Ree Centre.

Murphy says this is the first year for the Junior Tommies program. And while there was a junior tournament almost a decade ago, it wasn’t focused on emerging female players.

“So now that we’ve resurrected it and brought it back, now it’s all female,” Murphy said.

The teams play a format that differs from the traditional four-line hockey played in the national league.

“They’re called two-line teams,” Murphy said. “Eleven skaters and a goalie, hour-long games, a lot of time for the players on the ice.”

“It’s really important for girls to be able to play girls’ hockey with girls,” Murphy said. “Because a lot of them sometimes, because they’re from smaller areas, sometimes they end up playing together for a while until they get to where there’s enough numbers where they can have an all-female team.”

‘Pretty cool’

The young players are excited about the girls’ tournament.

“It’s actually pretty cool,” said Meredith Clarke, 7, a forward for the STU Tommies Juniors. “I like a team like this because mostly they’re my best friends, but also because they’re really good and I like them.”

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Girls hockey begins Friday night in Fredericton

Twelve girls hockey teams from across New Brunswick, all under the age of 13, will compete over the weekend in Fredericton.

Anna Porter, who says she’s “basically an 8,” is also a forward on STU’s junior varsity team.

“I’ve never played with boys, but it’s good to play with girls,” said Porter. “Because I have all my friends supporting me.”

Molly Stokes, 8, says she is “good” about her team’s chances of winning the title this weekend.

“I’m a little nervous, but a little excited,” said Stokes.

Murphy says admission is open to all and anyone interested is welcome to meet the potential future stars of the National Women’s Hockey League.

“A few, I guarantee,” said Murphy. “These kids are probably old enough to start living in that league, for sure.”