Selects having another great year

Subway Selects in midst of another stellar season

PICTOU - The Northern Subway Selects Major U-18 female team received a pleasant surprise to start their 2021-22 season when they walked into their new dressing room at the Hector Arena in Pictou.

“It’s special to have it,” team captain Sara Stewart said of the room, freshly painted in the team’s signature navy and yellow with team mottos listed above the professionallooking hockey stalls.

“Especially in this community where everyone is so close,” Stewart added. “The community helped put this room together, which makes it even more special.”

“It’s great for team bonding,” said assistant captain Megan Smith. “Having our quotes on the wall and being able to come together like this helps.”

Bree MacPherson, who also wears an ‘A’, added it has a practical purpose too in that the players and the team can keep all their gear in one place.

“It’s convenient for carpooling and things like that,” MacPherson said. “But, really, it’s just exciting to have our own space.”

Assistant coach Lauren Stiles said a team dressing room helps for all those reasons.

“And we’re not used to this,” she said. “So it’s a big positive for this year.”

SOLID SEASON SO FAR

The Selects play on the ice is living up to the standard set by their fancy new space, as they have fashioned an 11-2 record after 13 games. Their 22 points have them sitting in first place in the Maritime Major Female Hockey League.

Stiles said the team, with players from Antigonish and Colchester as well as Pictou County, possess great balance with three solid lines, a strong group of defenders, and two strong goalies.

“We’re strong in all areas and have good chemistry, on and off the ice,” she said, adding the team is a mixture of new faces and veterans from last season’s provincial champs who were prevented from trying to add to their championship by COVID.

Stewart said the hope this year is conditions around the pandemic will still allow the team to continue to reach its goal of winning both the provincial and Atlantic titles as well and competing at the nationals.

“We’ve been able to go to tournaments and have one in Quebec planned,” said the speedster from Antigonish. “If things keep going well, then our hope of going to the ESSO Cup could come true.”

Stewart said the team has found ways to win this season, despite being hampered at times with a depleted roster.

“I think we’re almost back to be all healthy, so I’m excited to see where things go then,” said Stewart, who is tied with Jaylen Langille for the team lead with 12 points.

MacPherson was one of those on the injured list. She said she appreciated her teammates support while dealing with a leg injury.

The Selects are on the road in New Brunswick the next two weekends before returning to the Hector for a home game Dec. 18 versus the Halifax Western Capitals. The puck drop is 4 p.m.

“We’re growing as a group again,” Smith said. “It’s a bit of a rebuilding year, but we have a lot of potential and I’m excited to see where our group can go this year.”