The
Humphrey Fleet Service Atom A Aces started the year off geared up and ready to
go from the start. This group of girls made the decision from day
one that they wanted to come together as a unit and drive each and every day to
get better and they accomplished it. In one of the toughest divisions in
Lower Lakes, the girls had a strong start and made sure they were prepared for
every game. At the end of the year it came down to the last game for the
Aces to secure the first place position, and they were primed for a strong
playoff run.
During
the year the Aces entered 5 tournaments to see
how they stacked up again teams throughout Ontario. Once again this group of girls saw an opportunity to show off their dedication and work put in during practice. Winning 4 out of 5 tournaments was an accomplishment that the girls wear with a tremendous amount of pride. The crown jewel of the tournament was our very own Aces tournament in November. Playing in the championship game against The St Thomas Panthers, the girls were down 4-1 going into the third period. With a rally cry between the second and third, the girls took control and tied up the game with a minute remaining. While the overtime period resulted in no goals, the girls were on their way to the shootout. Once again, this group of determined girls stepped up and pulled out the victory completing an epic come back. The Aces topped it off with a birth into the Provincial championships and also made the championship bracket of the Lower Lakes Tournament that was unfortunately cut short.
Throughout the year the girls committed to each other and the community. We attended many events to come together as a unit and make a difference. We were able to provide gifts to the London Devilettes for International Women’s hockey day, sang our hearts out at Christmas time in support of the Salvation Army, attended and participated in a Cambridge Rivulettes game, and just strolling the malls on motorized animals made each day a pleasure with the HFS Aces.
Many thank you's need to be given out as it takes an army to run a team. A huge thank you to the Humphrey family at Humphrey Fleet Service for their sponsorship on and off the ice. The girls were dressed for success with their practice jersey’s and fantastic warm up shirt, thank you Sherry and Colin. To the Medhurst and McMahon family’s for ensuring the jerseys arrived at every game fresh, cleans, and ready to go. To Jodi Rison for having the cleanest water bottles in Southwestern Ontario. To the “fab 4” training staff of Meg Moss, Trish Binns, Danielle Porter, and Melanie Cameron, for ensuring the girls were safe and well taken care of in the dressing room. To Cyril Moss for being the straight and arrow parent rep. To Natalie Miller for being the Aces tournament rep. To Miss Meg Feore for her commitment to the team on the ice, all the while balancing school, dance, and her own hockey team. To Elaine Pennington for her detailed articles of every game. To Mike Binns for his tireless efforts as the team manager. To the one and only Madi Smith who’s dedication, leadership, and her ability to lead by example provided the girls with a road map to how hockey can be a part of your life throughout the years. All of us want to say thank you Madi and wish you nothing but the best moving forward in your education. Finally, to every parent that supported the coaching staff during the year on and off the ice. Especially the grandparent’s crew that was at all the games and provide so much support and cheering. Our friend Rosie set the bar for top cheerleader in Ontario.
Greg and I didn’t want this journey to come to an end, but we could not be any more proud of this fantastic group of girls that were ready to go from day one. We set goals at the beginning of the year and we reached them as a team, as individuals, and as the Aces!
“We aren’t sad that it is over, we are happy it happened!”
Best Sport Award - Emma Van Nes
Most Improved - Eve Binns
Best Defensive - Maren Marshall
Best Offensive - Abigayle Van Bakel
Ace of the Team - Emersyn Miller