Karli Mazu was “choked” when after two years of training with Team B.C. for the Canada Winter Games in Halifax, she was cut two weeks before the event and put on an alternate list.
She has moved on since that major disappointment and will play for the Lower Mainland Belle AA Under 19 team in the National Ringette Championships starting Monday in Cambridge, Ont.
The Mainland Thunder swept Mazu and Thompson Okanagan Ringette League (TORL) Selects in two straight games at the AA provincials in Houston. Karli and Westside’s Gabby Maduck, who feed off one another well on the ice, were asked to play for the Vancouver entry at nationals.
“I got picked by them last year too and we finished out of the medals,” said Mazu, an 18-year-old Kalamalka grad.
“We have six players back and I think we’ll medal this year; we have a really good chance. We’re just like a family with good communication and good skill, the whole package.”
Mazu has played ringette for 14 years, including seven at the AA level. She represented TORL at the BC Winter Games in 2006. She had a great season in her last year of Rep ringette with TORL with the Selects attending five tournaments, finishing fourth in Winnipeg.
“I averaged a goal a game playing against Open teams and in tournaments. I’ll be playing centre and if the bench shortens, I’ll be on one of the top two lines. I’ll be going to the bottom left side trying to score.”
The 5-foot-4 full-time Sun Valley Source For Sports employee trains regularly with Kelly Hanson of the Adventure Boot Camp at Kal Fitness, and is mentally and physically prepared to bring her best for Team BC. She is high on head coach Jennifer Wakefield.
“She is Team Canada’s captain; she’s unreal,” smiled Mazu. “Canada usually wins worlds, but they lost to Finland, in Finland this year. She’s got lots of passion and she knows what she’s talking about.”
Wakefield likes everything about Mazu, who plans to travel around Australia with a friend next November.
“Karli has hard-work ethics, and a positive drive that has teammates following her desire to play their best. She pushes herself on and off the ice, has speed and agility, and sees the ice well. She is top- notch on the post, as a left-hand shooter and is a force to be reckoned with. As a centre, she will be a great asset to Team B.C.”
A total of 27 teams will compete in three divisions – U16, U19 and the National Ringette League (NRL) division (19+) in Cambridge.
Games will take place at the Hespeler Memorial Arena and Galt Arena Gardens with finals set for Saturday, April 2.
