A season to remember
Central Storm U11 AA team went 44-1 and won three major tournaments
The Central Storm Team Orange under-11 AA girls hockey team capped off a 44-1 season by sweeping the provincial playoffs and being crowned provincial champions.
The team also added three titles from major tournaments.
Jan Klimes, head coach of the Storm, is proud of his girls for what they accomplished this season.
“From Day 1, you could tell all the girls were excited to be a part of the team,” said Klimes in a recent interview with Saltwire.
“We found a great group of girls that showed up and worked hard every day to get better, and I couldn’t be prouder of them. We were competitive, creative, grew as team, supported each other, which made the season so successful and so much fun. (It's a) very special group of young talented hockey players, and (I) definitely will miss this group.”
The Storm was dominant on and off Prince Edward Island, posting a 14-0 record in tournament play and winning the SEDMHA in Nova Scotia, the DQ in New Brunswick and the Sweetheart tournament in P.E.I.
Klimes knows how important those wins are for his team but also for the sport of women’s hockey on P.E.I.
“To win three major tournaments on- and off-island, it’s a good showing for P.E.I female hockey,” said Klimes. “The number of female players on P.E.I wasn’t as high (a) few years back, but this shows that women’s hockey is on the rise here and we can compete with the best in Atlantic Canada.”
Molly Trainor, captain of the Storm, was happy with what she and her teammates were able to do this season.
“I had a lot of fun this season, we knew what we needed to do and when we needed to do it,” said Trainor. “It was fun to win, but I was just happy to be a part of the team . ...
"It is fun to accomplish what we did and to get to it beside some of my best friends is amazing,” said Trainor. “It was fun going to the rink and seeing them every time and I had a lot of fun playing hockey this year.”
Klimes, who has been coaching for a long time, says getting the chance to help the girls learn and get better is what keeps bringing him back every year.
“At the younger ages, the toughest job is coaching. Each girl is unique, and they all require different approach. Nothing is more rewarding than when you see such growth and development in the short time you have the opportunity to work with them,” said Klimes. “All the coaching staff is excited for these girls after the great season they had, and hopefully they continue to pursue their dreams.
With their season just wrapping up, Klimes and the Storm aren’t focused on next season but have been looking ahead to see what next year could bring.
“We just finished our season and (are) looking forward to the end year party to celebrate our season,” said Klimes. “Our team has only three players returning next year at the U11 level, it will be a new group of girls for most part and it will be a new but fun challenge next year.