Muskoka Sting! Competetive Hockey arrives
The team will hold tryouts for players for the new teams all across Muskoka and beyond, according to Dawn Corbett, the association's public relations and social media director.
It’s important to give girls the opportunity to play and compete with their peers from a young age, said Kurt Robertson, the director of competitive hockey for the Huntsville Girls Hockey Association. Both he and Mark Allen, the association’s director of player development, are spearheading the move to create a competitive girls' hockey team in Muskoka.
“Mark and I met six years ago when he was a coach with the (Huntsville Girls Hockey Association). My daughter was playing on his team, and my older daughter was playing rep hockey in Orillia,” said Robertson. “There was no option for rep hockey here in Huntsville or anywhere in Muskoka … all the boys have rep teams. But for girls, they either had to play with the boys … or they had to travel.”
Both Robertson and Allen drive their daughters to Orillia about four times a week to be a part of a competitive team.
Allen filed an application with the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association in 2021, hoping to create a regional competitive team for girls.
Once the application was accepted, it kick-started the process of securing sponsorships, designing team jerseys, and scheduling tryouts for after Easter weekend next year. The association will ice three teams in the OWHA's Southern league, in its B division - U13, U15 and U18.
“I grew up in southwestern Ontario, down in Chatham. There were competitive leagues and house leagues for boys. I didn’t know a single girl who played hockey (back then),” said Allen. “It’s definitely our daughters’ generation (that is) the first generation to have good access to girls' hockey.”
To support his daughters and their love for the sport, Allen built an outdoor ice hockey rink near his home.
For Abby, Allen’s eldest daughter, the sport is both fun to play and watch. Currently in Grade 11, and managing the stresses of being a student, she said she’s looking forward to having the option to play competitively closer to home.
“I do have a lot of homework, so I’m not particularly interested in driving so much,” said Abby. “Closer just makes (playing) something you can actually do.”
Lexie, Allen’s youngest daughter, said she enjoys playing and practicing — with the goal of one day making it to the top line. While still in Grade 9, she said she’s looking forward to competing professionally if given the chance.
According to Lexie, it was her dad that got both her and her sister into the sport.
“I just want to become better,” said Lexie.
The regional competitive team will be named the Muskoka Sting, as part of the Huntsville Sting Girls Hockey Association. Interviews for coaches are expected to take place in February next year, with spots open for three potential coaches. Tryouts for players to join the team will take place following Easter.
