Bringing home the banners

The Lady Glacier Avalanche proudly represented at the annual Calgary WickFest tournament, one of the largest all-female hockey events worldwide, Nov. 8-9.  Founded in 2010 by four-time Olympic gold medalist and Hockey Hall of Famer Hayley Wickenheiser, the event unites girls of all ages and skill levels through hockey, fostering personal growth, confidence and lifelong connections.  

Now celebrating its 16th year, WickFest is a prestigious global festival that attracts thousands of young athletes for a multi-day experience focused on competition, development, and empowerment. 

The event was held at the Seven Chiefs Arena and the Winsport Arena, home of the 1988 Calgary Olympics.   

The festival is renowned for its engaging clinics, including team building, breakdancing, self-defense, sled hockey, nutrition, perseverance and mindset. The U18 girls had the opportunity to skate with Olympians Meghan Acosta and Danielle Goyetter during an on-ice skills session.  

The U18 ladies, coached by Bobee Hyland, Beth Schule and Chris Grant, and managed by Kate Daniels and Kathy DeMarco, achieved a 4-0-1 record (7-0-1 record overall), earning them gold medals in the Silver U18 Division. The team showed grit and perseverance in closely fought games.  

Team members include Tilly Daniels, Kyndle DeMarco, Elliot Gallagher, Lovey Gallagher, Mackenzie Grant, Baylee Hyland, Marlis Nargi, Natalie Reilly, Nieve Schule, Bianca Walker, Heidi Walker, Grace Wentzel and Drew Sylvester. Goalie Sylvester was awarded the MVP award for the tournament. 

The U13 team, guided by coaches Lini Reading, Sarah MacCormick, Morgan O’Brien and Matt Kalgren, and managed by Susie Kalgren and Tracy Coleman, went 5-0-0 through five tough games, claiming the gold in the U13 Silver Division.  

Skaters on the U13 team were Alvah Apuzzo, Evelyn Back, Rowan Berney, Alyson Boksich, Kassidy Colemen, Marley Coleman, Zoey Coleman, Alayna Gadwa, Lexi Gadwa, Kennedy Hyland, Brooke Kalgren, Taylor Kalgren, Ava Maynard, Fylee Tveidt and goalie Nyah Lessard.  

In the hockey sisterhood, the teams included five sets of sisters. The girls in both the 18U and U13 teams supported one another throughout the weekend, cheering and continuing to build team bonds, both on and off the ice.  

Glacier Hockey Association welcomes children of all ages and abilities to the sport of ice hockey. For more information, visit glacierhockey.org. 

    Grace Wentzel with the Glacier Avalanche U18 team, skates at WickFest. (Photo provided)
  

    Glacier Avalanche U13 player, Brooke Kalgren, battles for the puck at WickFest. (Madison Fox photo)
  

    The Glacier Avalanche U18 girls hockey team earned gold medals at the WickFest in Calgary. (Renegade Photography)