Shirley sisters ready for that big moment
The Shirley sisters have a knack for finding the back of the net in crucial moments.
Grace Shirley cemented her name in Saskatoon Stars history by scoring the series-clinching overtime goal to win the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League championship over the Swift Current Wildcats on March 26.
Last year, her sister Sophie Shirley scored the game-winning goal for the Stars in the bronze medal game of the Esso Cup female national hockey championship. She also had a hat trick and the championship-winning goal at last year’s midget Mac’s AAA Hockey Tournament finale.
Sophie, 16, has moved on from the Stars this year, playing in the U19 Junior Women’s Hockey League. But Grace, 14, is hoping for more magic as she tries to turn last year’s bronze into gold at this year’s national championship. The Stars are the only returning team at the Esso Cup, with action beginning in Weyburn on Sunday.
The sisters had a rare recent opportunity to play together for the Stars last season, when Grace was a 13-year-old late-season call-up and Sophie was the 15-year-old league MVP. They experienced the playoffs and national championship run together.
“When we were little, we always played together on spring teams,” Grace said. “(Lately) we didn’t get to play together a lot, but when we do it’s always a blast … We’re really close. I love playing with her.”
Both Grace and Sophie grew up in a hockey family where they actually learned the sport from their two older brothers, Keenan and Collin. Keenan has since hung up his skates, but Collin has played in the WHL for five years, including the last three for the Kamloops Blazers.
“We all played hockey, so it must have been really busy for our parents,” Grace said. “For our family, we always talk about hockey and it’s a big focus. The main reason that I started was because they played. I wanted to be like them.”
The influence has paid off as Sophie had 37 points in 24 games for the Notre Dame Hounds in the JWHL. She has also suited up for U18 Team Canada. Grace was named the league rookie of the year and led the Stars with 18 goals. She ended up with 32 points in 28 games, while adding 15 points in 11 playoff matches and that championship-winning goal.
“She’s going to have so many moments like that — as well as a lot of our players,” said Stars head coach Greg Slobodzian. “I’m really blessed with a lot of tremendous athletes on this team.”
“Last year was overwhelming,” Grace said about nationals. “I was just hoping maybe this year we’d do the same thing. And now that it’s actually happened, I’m just beyond excited.”
The Stars are one of six teams at nationals out of 103 teams competing across Canada. They open the Esso Cup on Sunday against their league rivals and host Weyburn Gold Wings. Each team plays five round-robin games in five days before playoff action begins April 22.