Wildcats Alumni game bridging past with present

A sample of the past, present, and future of Diamond Energy Female Midget AAA Wildcats hockey unite tonight for the 7th-annual Wildcats alumni game.

The alumni roster has representation from all previous 11 seasons of the Wildcats program, which was started in 2006.

"It's a good event overall. I think the older girls like reconnecting with some of the players that they played with, and even meeting some of the girls that have worn the Wildcats jersey that they didn't get a chance to play with," said Wildcats head coach Terry Pavely, adding that the game is a positive indication of the history, and atmosphere surrounding the program.

"It's nice to get the kids that have laid maybe the foundation of this program. Some of the girls that are playing in it were kids who played in years one and two. For them to still want to come back and be part of it speaks volumes of the impact that maybe our program had on them, and how it helped them with their hockey career or their education. So having kids wanting to come back is really important for us."

Since the majority of those on the alumni roster either currently play, or formerly have played post-secondary hockey, Pavely discussed what could be expected from an intensity standpoint in the exhibition game.

"The biggest thing you see is the competitiveness of the older girls. It starts out pretty tame and all of a sudden if the game's close in the third period, you actually see the intensity ramp up a little bit," Pavely said. "I think that's a good thing - it shows the younger kids that good hockey players are competitive. No matter what the situation is - once the game gets close, competitive people want to win."

For some, the competition extends beyond a game between current and former players.

Current Wildcats Taylor and Baylee Kirwan will have the opportunity to play against their older sister Kayla. The eldest of the three Kirwans played alongside Taylor for three seasons (2013-2016) and currently is in her second year of eligibility with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women's hockey team.

"I know her weaknesses so I'm definitely going to use that against her," said Taylor, the Wildcats' current captain. "She's a defenceman and I'm a defenceman and my goal is to not let her by me. Hopefully Baylee can take over and get by her - embarrass her a little bit."

The youngest of the trio added to the light-hearted nature of the conversation, in what will be her first game playing against Kayla.

"It's pretty competitive, I mean the bar is set, and now I've got to beat it. I for sure won't go easy on her," joked Baylee.

The 2017-18 Wildcats take on the Alumni squad tonight at 8 p.m. at Fairview West.

Alumni Roster

Forwards

Kali Gillanders (2006-08)

Chantel Hildebrand (2007-10)

Delaine Feil (2009-13)

Brooklyn Haubrich (2011-15)

Chloe Smith (2013-17)

Kaci Jones (2014-16)

Jenessa Fournier (2015-17)