It’s the challenge that faces the coaches of so many minor sports teams at the youngest of levels – integrating a mix of children, some of whom have played for a few years with those who are taking to the sport for the very first time. 

Of course, as coach Steve Sherrington points out, “it makes it a lot easier to teach the other kids things when you have a great goalie to back them up.” Sherrington is back for a second year with the Sudbury Ice Cats Atoms girls hockey team, combining forces once again with assistant coach Denis Bosse. 

Melding together a core of returning players with another four or five who are receiving their initiation to girls hockey this year, Sherrington and Bosse can rest easy with the knowledge that goaltender Amy Vincent can help keep the team competitive in virtually every game. 

“Early in the year, we worked a lot on skating drills…and touching and handling the puck”, notes Sherrington. “Nothing fancy, which is hard on the kids who have played before. For the first ten minutes or so of every practice, we like to have all the kids touching the pucks. They may not do it much yet during the course of a game.” 

Assisting the process of integrating a wide range of initial skill is the fact that Sherrington relies on the veterans of the team for the much-needed moral support that is always so critical in houseleague athletics. “The kids who have played before are very good at encouraging and welcoming the newcomers to the sport.” 

Playing in a five team loop within the Sudbury Girls Hockey League Atom division, the Ice Cats may well be over-achieving somewhat in the eyes of some observers.  “I think that we are a team that shows that when you work as a team, you can get things done - because if you look at the make-up of our team on paper, we probably shouldn’t be winning too many games”, Sherrington acknowledges. 

Like so many who have worked with girls hockey players, especially at the houseleague level, Sherrington appreciates the ability his young troops have to keep things in perspective. “The girls have an excellent ability to stay positive even if they lost.” 

It’s a mindset that starts right from the top with the Ice Cats Atoms. “Whether we won or lost, we try and focus on the positives that happened during the game – and try and pick out one thing we need to work on for the next time”, adds the energetic bench boss. 

The process seems to be working. At a pre-Christmas tournament in Ottawa, the Ice Cats advanced to the championship final, falling in a five player shootout and bringing home Silver. For Sherrington, the motivation to stay involved is fairly clear. 

“I just like to hear what the kids come up with at various times. And seeing the progression through the year – there’s a change and you would like to think you had something to do with that change.” 

The 2008-0 edition of the Sudbury Ice Cats Atoms includes: Alissa Bosse, Hannah Conrad, Sarina Dashner, Morgan Hicks, Taylor Kivinen, Jessica Klaric, Courtney MacIsaac, Kaitlyn Marshall Bergeron, Joelle Ouellette, Chandra Paquette, Hayley Paquette, Veronique Paquette, Madison Pincivero, Kristen Sherrington and Amy Vincent. 

The team staff includes coaches Sherrington and Bosse, trainer Tracy Hicks and manager Vicki Conrad.