Diamond Energy Wildcats captain Taylor Kirwan is back to the Sask Female Midget AAA Hockey League grind after she and Team Canada captured bronze at the U18 Women's World Championships earlier this month in Dmitrov, Russia. 

"Well they're all elite players - they're all leaders on their teams, so when we got together we were a pretty mature team. Each person definitely had a role and something that they were responsible for - they got to show their leadership in that way." said Kirwan of the dynamic among her Team Canada teammates, adding that it translated to a enjoyable, competitive experience.

"I was very fortunate to experience playing on a team where everybody is, in some way, a leader. We'd push each other in practice, every game, every cool down, every warm up. We're all very competitive, so it kind of brings out the best of everyone." 

Kirwan and the Canadians worked a 1-2 record in the round robin at the tournament. They opened with a 3-2 loss to the host-Russians, responded with a 4-0 win over Sweden, then suffered a 6-2 loss to the United States.

That 6-2 loss to the U.S. was bittersweet for the Gull Lake-product who, although frustrated with the loss, was able to capture the Player of the Game award for Team Canada. 

"It was definitely exciting - the entire game we killed lots of penalties and I was fortunate enough to be on the first penalty-kill line, so I definitely got a lot of playing time that game," explained the defenceman. "When they called my name I was a little shocked that they noticed the little things that I did, which were blocking shots and getting that puck down... and letting it not be a worse score than it already was I guess."

Kirwan finished with a -1 rating, and one shot on net in the game. Canada racked up 14 penalty minutes, and Canada's head coach Delaney Collins noted postgame that the penalty-kill was certainly a strength in the four-goal loss.

The Canadians then earned a 3-1 quarter-final win over the Czech Republic to advance to the semis, where they once again faced that tough American squad.

Team Canada was edged in a 4-3 shootout loss, however, Kirwan was held out of the lineup with an injury.

In fact, she didn't log ice time in the 5-1 bronze-medal game against the Russians either. Fortunately for Kirwan, she was able to suit up for the final 20 minute period after Canada carried a 3-0 lead into the second intermission.

"We're up, and we're confident going into the third period, so they let me and our third-string goaltender dress. I got to go on the ice at the end and celebrate in our equipment, and got the medal put around our necks," Kirwan said. "I don't think it could have went better - obviously maybe not getting injured at the end - but overall it was such a good experience and hopefully I can have another one soon in the future."

The Wildcats' captain became the first Diamond Energy Wildcats player in the team's 12-year history to crack Team Canada's U18 World Championship roster.

"I try not to think about it and let my head get a little too big, but it's definitely a confidence-booster knowing that I am one of the top defencemen in the country I guess," Kirwan admitted.

She spent time between the second and third defensive pairing on Canada's blueline during the tournament keeping that -1 rating, and firing two shots on net.

Kirwan was back with her club team and on the road this past weekend, as the Wildcats split with the Melville Prairie Fire.

"The first period [on Saturday] against Melville I definitely struggled. The speed was a lot different - my passes were a little off," Kirwan said. "I could tell by just the speed of the game I guess it wasn't flowing for me. I was definitely still playing aggressive kind of 'we don't let the other team step over the redline' the way Team Canada played, so I took a little more risk than I should.

For someone of Kirwan's calibre, it understandably didn't take long to get back into form.

"After the first period was over I definitely settled in, and that second period coming back I was able to put two goals in the net, and then four more assists after that - definitely feel good now."

Kirwan had two goals and an assist in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Prairie Fire, and three assists in a 5-1 win on Sunday.

The Wildcats (10-9-1-3) are off until February 10 and 11 when they travel for a weekend set against the Battlefords Sharks (7-18-0-0).