Another strong contingent of Burns Lake women are planning a second trip overseas as part of the Canadian Moose World Travelling Ice Hockey Club. The club, based in southern Ontario, has been supporting hockey culture worldwide since 1989.
Jen McPhail, Rose Unruh, Janette Derksen, Cherie McEntire, and Tara Loseth will be joining the team for a second time, while Cassie Sam, Deane Carlson, and Lisa Goossen will be along for their first experience with the Canadian Moose.
Last year, the Burns Lake contingent – most of whom play for the Burns Lake Vortex women’s hockey team – travelled to Iceland. There they not only played local teams but also visited schools to spread the word about Canada’s national sport.
Through donations of equipment and experience, the team helps encourage local, grassroots involvement in hockey.
All the costs, including any donated equipment, are assumed by the participants. It’s not an inexpensive proposition, but players enjoy using their vacation time to share their love of hockey with others.
“When it comes to making the decision to go on this trip, I am sure each person has different reasons, but for me, I really enjoy travelling and passing my love of the game onto others,” said McPhail. “Talking to the kids at the school, we are able to pass along our passion for the sport and also our love of Canada. Many of the kids we talked to were fascinated with our country and wanted as many details as they could get.”
You might expect that a love for hockey this deep naturally started at a young age, but not for Cherie McEntire, who is back for a second trip.
“My love of the game started with my kids,” McEntire said. “Watching them play inspired me to try. I was hooked right away.”
This trip to Denmark and Sweden on Feb. 18, 2013 might be tougher on ice than the Iceland trip.
“I expect the hockey to be a lot faster and more intense in Denmark and Sweden than it was in Iceland,” said McEntire.
Janette Derksen, another returning player, expects a faster game as well. But she found things pretty fast the first time around.
“My most memorable moment on the Iceland tour was facing up to a full line of the men’s Iceland national team,” said Derksen. “I played goal and they didn’t hold back on me. They played their game and I played mine.”
Derksen highlights that not only are there six players from Burns Lake going overseas, but another two players on the team are former Burns Lake residents and former Women’s Vortex Hockey Team.
“I find it amazing that our small town of Burns Lake is providing the majority of the women’s team for this tour,” Derksen said. “Way to go Burns Lake; small-town girls can have worlds of fun.”
