Meet the Glovertown teen who is experiencing the NL Games from all sides this week in Gander
When Jayden Denty hit the ice for the female hockey tournament at the 2024 Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games, it must’ve felt like she hadn’t left Gander.
The 15-year-old from nearby Glovertown had only been away from the Games for 24 hours after spending the first half of the week competing in table tennis as a member of Team Eastern.
While her first half of the week was spent in the gymnasium, Denty’s second half will be spent inside the Gander Community Centre dropping hockey pucks and blowing whistles.
That’s where she is a linesman as a part of the 17-person all-female crew working the Games.
As much as she was excited about being a part of that group, Denty may have been even more excited to compare the closing ceremonies to the opening one.
“So, I was pretty pumped about being able to go to opening and closing ceremonies,” said Denty, who has been officiating for four years.
LEAVING WITH HARDWARE
Denty’s first half was successful. As part of the table tennis team, she left Gander having helped the Eastern team to a silver medal in the team event, while also picking up a bronze medal in her individual competition.
“It was it was really fun,” said Denty. “I got silver in the team event, and I got bronze in the individual.
“It was definitely a great experience and a lot of memories.”
BEING AT HOME
A neat thing about being part of the female hockey tournament from an official’s point of view is that Denty gets to work part of the Games at her home rink in Glovertown.
On Friday, the tournament shifts to the Glovertown Gardens because the stadium in Gander is being set up for the closing ceremonies.
Denty is scheduled for three games there and can be part of one of the medal games should she be selected.
“I’m just staying home, but I think it’s pretty cool. I get to say I was at both weeks (and) experienced all the Games,” said Denty.
When it comes to working the Games, Denty — a talented hockey player in her own right — said she was looking forward to mixing it up on the ice with players in the tournament.
Some she calls teammates; others might be opponents.
“I like being a part of the game,” said Denty.