Alive and growing

IWHL kicks off opening tournament today

A competitive hockey league for Island women is continuing to grow.

There will be three new teams when the Island Women’s Hockey League kicks off its season with the tip-off tournament beginning Thursday at BordenCarleton’s Gateway Arena. The tournament is being hosted by the Southside Lynx, which is one of the league’s four returning teams. Other returning teams include the Tyne Valley-based Western Wild, Charlottetown Warriors and the Junior Varsity Panthers. New teams this year will include Sherwood Storm, Central Phantoms and Belfast.

All of the league’s games are open to the public and a finalized regular season schedule will soon be available.

The league fills a void by providing a more competitive outlet than what’s usually offered in recreational hockey, league president Dawn Moase previously told The Guardian.

It’s well-suited for players who have outgrown the minor hockey level, but are still looking for some faster-paced action.

“It’s a little bit of a higher level of hockey, which is great. There is a need to have that because we have players coming out of minor hockey that still want to play at that level,” said Moase. The season includes about two games a week, as well as a playoff tournament, and wraps up in mid-March.

Those looking for more information on the league can contact dawn_moase@hotmail. com.