The specifics behind the giddiness for the start of a new season might differ from one player to the next but there is no argument that the spark of excitement regarding the upcoming 2023-2024 campaign has infiltrated absolutely everyone who is involved with the Sudbury U18 AA Lady Wolves team this year.
Truth is the varied individual backgrounds that each brings to the mix is a major contributor to what sets off that feeling that is obvious all over the rink, that same sense that a race horse has as it prepares to be unleashed from the starting gates.
For 17 year-old netminder Stevie Levesque, the chance to make the jump to the AA bracket in her final year of minor hockey involvement has the friendly teenager more than a little pumped as her team looks forward to a mini-showcase event this weekend in Etobicoke.
“I loved being pushed,” said the Lo-Ellen Park senior who joins returnee Sarah McKechnie in forming the Lady Wolves’ puck-stopping tandem this winter. “The faster, the better – so this is great.”
“I played one game last year as a call-up and the speed was so different. It was just so fast. I’ve been training all summer in order to be faster and have a good year.”
Although Levesque is feeling confident about her ability to read and react at this level, it was the physical requirements of those quick-twitch muscles that drew her attention during the off-season.
“If you can read the play, then it’s just how fast you get there, how fast you get to the puck,” she said. “You have to build the muscles in your legs to get there faster.”
Working with goaltending coach Matty Mayhew as part of the two-hour practice Sunday evening, Levesque dates her focus on keen puck awareness back many years with a mentor who also knows a thing or two about working with those who don the pads.
“Scott Murray (Washington Capitals goalie coach – and long-time Sudbury resident) is a big fan of puck tracking so I’ve been working on that since minor peewee (U12),” stated Levesque. “It’s such a big part of the game. You have to see the puck to stop the puck.”
Of course, that task is not made any easier when you have the likes of Kendra Shanks and Sequoia Nebeninoquit and Laryssa Mayer standing tall before you. “We did a deflection drill today – you have to look around them because I can’t really step on my tippy-toes to try and look over them,” said Levesque with a smile.
“And knowing where the puck is probably going to go, what hand the shooter is helps too.”
Where this weekend will be a new experience for Levesque, fellow-2006 Maija Potvin (there are nine third year U18 players in the lineup) is making the most of knowing what it was like to be in those shoes last September.
“AA (hockey) is a lot faster from what I used to play,” said Potvin, a slightly undersized forward who more than compensates with her speed, her aggression and her better than average understanding of the game. “It was really hard to get used to, at first, so I think this will be a lot better, knowing what I am coming into this year.”
Given the perspective that she enjoys, it’s no wonder Potvin noted a slightly different point of excitement than her goalie. “Our first game is against a pretty good team (this weekend),” explained Potvin. “Ottawa (Lady 67’s) is always a really good organization – so I feel like if we win now, it would be a nice start to our season.”
Either way, as one of the leadership core of the team this year, the young woman who also is in grade 12 at Lo-Ellen and is also 17 years of age knows that maintaining a positive mindset will be critical for a season that will stretch for at least the next eight months.
“Communication is key, on and off the ice,” said Potvin. “If someone goofs up on something, just going to them and talking to them, not having any conflict. I am looking to help with the leading of the team, helping out with anything.”
Knowing that his dressing room is in good hands will allow fourth year head coach André Brunette to steer his efforts largely towards the on-ice product, a scenario which pleases those behind the bench, regardless of the level of hockey.
“I’m just so excited to get started,” said Brunette, who returns with assistant coach Stephanie Pascal and trainers Nicole Adams and Derek McKinnon, all while adding some new faces to the fold as well. “I just want to see us compete. This gives us a little bit of a baseline testing to see where we have to start.”
For as much as he has the journeys of years gone by to help guide the way, Brunette is also thankful to welcome aboard a pair of very good hockey minds to their staff. “We’ve added Jason Stos and Al Gagnon who are helping us,” he said. “That’s going to add a great element for the players – and for us as coaches.”
“And I think the new players are going to bring a lot of offense. I think that’s good and exciting.”
That’s just one of the reasons that Brunette and company are chomping at the bit to play in real games. “There’s the disappointment of not qualifying for provincials last year,” he said. “They’re hungry and they have a bit of a chip on their shoulder. I think that will help drive us forward.”
“We have good speed on this team,” he added. “I think our aggressive forecheck will help create turnovers, which will create a lot of chances offensively.”
The U18 AA Lady Wolves will get a chance to put that theory to the test Saturday at 3:15 p.m. in Etobicoke, with games to follow against both the North York Storm and the Caledon Coyotes.
The balance of the Lady Wolves roster includes Jillian Landry, Katelyn Jacques, Chloe Martin, Payton Cyr, Ayla Legace, Danika Gray, Gabrielle Gallagher, Tessa Ranger, Kynlee Cresswell, Adrielle Charette, Payton Stos and Madison Hollohan.
