Sniper leading Rebels into midget AAA playoffs
‘Quiet leader’ has helped the team dominate the female league
Regina Rebels forward Neena Brick is accustomed to playing with a lead.
The 16-year-old Reginan has been the top scorer in the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League for most of this season, entering Thursday’s contest against the Battlefords Sharks with at least a point in all but one game.
Brick’s personal success is shared by the Rebels, who’ve clinched the league’s regular-season championship at 25-1-1 — 15 points ahead of the second-place Swift Current Diamond Energy Wildcats.
Brick is on pace to win the scoring title with 55 points in 27 games (28 goals and 27 assists) — 11 points up on Swift Current’s Sara Kendall.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have the success I’ve been having,” says the humble scoring star, who had 12 goals and 23 points in 26 games as a rookie last year.
“I wasn’t expecting this much (production). It’s a very good league. The games are always hard. It’s definitely difficult, but the team has been behind me and helping me get better.”
The Rebels have made it look easy, scoring more than quadruple the number of goals they’ve allowed (147-35). The team has suffered just one regulation loss (4-2 to the Notre Dame Hounds on Feb. 18) along with one shootout defeat (4-3 versus Swift Current on Oct. 6).
No wonder there’s a target on their backs.
“There is definitely pressure,” Brick says. “All the teams want to beat us because we’re at the top of the league. We just can’t get too complacent. We always have to be working hard, no matter what.”
Brick is helping lead the way in that regard, too.
“She’s a team player — she works well with her line, works hard every practice and game and is a very focused player,” says head coach Mike Merk. “(Brick) and the team around her have accomplished quite a bit this year. I’m very proud of her for the success she’s had. She’s a quiet leader but she strives to be the best all the time. She’s always demonstrating the right qualities to show that hard work and dedication can breed success.”
That included her performance at the 2019 national under-18 women’s hockey championship. Brick was the tournament’s top scorer, with eight points in five games, leading Saskatchewan to a silver medal.
“Even at a higher elite level, she was still able to produce,” Merk says. “She is one of those players to watch for. I can see her producing some big things before her career is done.”
Brick has already committed to Colgate University, a Division 1 program in Hamilton, N.Y. She has one season left in Regina before moving on to the NCAA.
“Colgate is a very strong hockey school and academically they’re very strong,” she says. “The coaching staff is amazing. The girls that I’ve met have been really nice and encouraging and can’t wait to get me there. I can’t wait for that, but I still have to be focused on this season and next season.”
Brick inherited a passion for hockey from her father Jeff, the Rebels’ general manager. He coached her throughout minor hockey and remains a huge influence.
“He got me going at a young age,” she says. “It’s the sport I’ve wanted to pursue my whole life. To be committed to a college makes it even more exciting.”
Brick grew up playing in boys’ leagues, even though there were all-female options in Hockey Regina. She finally joined the girls’ ranks in bantam but still looks back fondly at her time competing against boys.
“The guys were really nice and included me with everything,” she says. “The pace of the guys’ game was definitely faster and that was a more challenging league. It helped me on the physical part of my game.”
Brick’s skills are being displayed with the Rebels, who have just two games left to tune up for the playoffs.
She’s a quiet leader but she strives to be the best all the time. She’s always demonstrating the right qualities to show that hard work and dedication can breed success.
A championship run is very much in their sights.
“It has been a really good season so far and hopefully we can carry that into playoffs,” Brick says. “We have to be really strong and playing our best game to move on if we want to go anywhere. That’s the end goal, so hopefully it works out for us.”