The Guardian (Charlottetown)

‘Amazing experience’

Wildcats’ Mulligan, Doiron, Chisholm discuss what it’s like to participat­e in an Esso Cup

- BY JASON SIMMONDS jpsports@journalpio­neer.com Twitter.com/JpsportsJa­son https://www.facebook.com/jason.simmonds.180

MORDEN, Man. – The 2017 Esso Cup was much more than just hockey for the Mid-Isle Wildcats.

“It has been an amazing experience,” beamed Wildcats assistant captain Alexis Mulligan, who plays defence.

Mid-Isle blue-liner Mya Chisholm of Summerside said the opportunit­y to compete in the Canadian midget female hockey championsh­ip was “definitely an experience of a lifetime.”

The P.E.I. and Atlantic Canadian champions, who played their home games in Summerside this season, completed round-robin play with a 6-1 loss versus the host Pembina Valley Hawks on Thursday night. Although the Wildcats finished 0-5, the players have fond recollecti­ons of their first experience at a national championsh­ip.

“Memories will be being here with my team,” said Wildcats centre Cassie Doiron of North Rustico. “The hospitalit­y here is so great and we got great support from the volunteers, who are all so nice and have treated us so well. I will never forget the good treatment. . . We have everything we need and more.”

Mulligan, who noted it was a neat experience for the Wildcats to eat lunch and supper each day as a team, praised Hockey Canada for making it a first-class event.

“They did an amazing job, and provided everything for us,” added the 18-year-old Grade 12 student at Kinkora Regional High School from Emerald.

Young fans

One of the off-ice highlights for the Wildcats was interactin­g with young fans from an elementary school in Carman, Man.

“The support from the entire community has been just amazing,” said Chisholm, 15. “Each and every day there has been a different school that has come in. . . The kids just love it, and they think it’s the greatest thing ever.

“When we came up upstairs the other day (following a game) they were all cheering ‘P.E.I.’ and they got us all to sign autographs. It makes you feel very special.”

Doiron, a 17-year-old Grade 11 student at Bluefield High School, added: “It was surreal to see all the support, because they don’t know any of us. Coming from a smaller province, they were so excited to see all of us.

“Honestly, it was the cutest thing ever, they cheered the whole game, ‘P.E.I.’ constantly, even though we weren’t having the best game. They never quit on us.”

Mulligan and forward Madison Vincent are the only two graduates on the Wildcats. Mulligan admits competing in a national championsh­ip has been “a great way” for them to conclude their minor hockey careers.

“It’s kind of bitterswee­t, but it’s been an amazing year,” said Mulligan. “We didn’t even think we would win the Atlantic championsh­ip, but as underdogs we won it. It was the best day of my life.”

Chisholm, a Grade 10 student at Three Oaks Senior High School, admits this week’s experience will provide motivation for the returnees.

“Knowing how well it’s run and how incredible of an experience it is, it definitely makes you want to come back,” continued Chisholm. “It’s something to work to for the next two years.”

 ?? DENNIS PAJOT/HOCKEY CANADA IMAGES ?? Mid-Isle Wildcats forward Tait Tierney of Meadow Bank carries the puck during Thursday night’s game against the host Pembina Valley Hawks at the 2017 Esso Cup. The Hawks defeated the Wildcats 6-1 in the final round-robin game of the Canadian midget...
DENNIS PAJOT/HOCKEY CANADA IMAGES Mid-Isle Wildcats forward Tait Tierney of Meadow Bank carries the puck during Thursday night’s game against the host Pembina Valley Hawks at the 2017 Esso Cup. The Hawks defeated the Wildcats 6-1 in the final round-robin game of the Canadian midget...

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