Just days before the International Ice Hockey Federation held the Global Girls' Game — a two-day event in which teams around the world play one game in dozens of locations to promote female hockey (the final score was 135-128) — the Cowichan Secondary Thunderbirds held their own event to promote the sport on a local level.
The Thunderbirds, who are making a statement in their first season of play, had 31 girls between the ages of eight and 18 at their Female Hockey Day clinic at the Island Savings Centre on Feb. 15, going through drills and fun exercises aimed at bringing new players into the fold.
"It was a fantastic opportunity to see so many girls on the ice together, learning and enjoying the game," T-Birds head coach Mike Moroz said. "We've gotten some tremendous feedback from both parents and players."
A number of the younger players committed to joining the high school team for on-ice development sessions until the season ends later this month.
"It's hard not to be excited about the future of female hockey at Cowichan Secondary, and across the Valley," Moroz said.
The T-Birds will play the last game of their inaugural season this Sunday at Kerry Park Arena. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.