Elite female hockey players get the chance to play at home

BONNYVILLE – Last Sunday, elite female hockey players from the U15 AA Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) took to the RJ Lalonde ice for a special home game.   

The mid-day match up featured the Lloydminster Richardson’s Jewellery U15 AA Junior Steelers against the St. Albert Chargers. 

The Lloydminster Steelers draw players from across the Lakeland region and the team includes four local players on their roster. Steelers’ players Kalie Cole, Brooklyn Vachon and Talia Vasseur are all from Bonnyville, with Charlotte Sandmeyer originating from Glendon. 

Speaking with Lakeland Today prior to Sunday’s game, Cole, Sandmeyer, Vachon and Vasseur shared their excitement to play a game based at home where their family and friends would have the opportunity to watch them play – something their Bonnyville fans don’t normally get the chance to do. 

Although the Steelers did not come out with the result they hoped for, losing 4–3, the Steelers did come out strong, dominating the first period. 

Earing the Steelers’ first goal in the first minute of the game was Shae Steinley assisted by Ryann Rekimowich and Reese Robinson. The next point was earned by Bonnyville’s Vachon, assisted by Peyton Oborowsky and Sawyer Mackay. 

Lighting up the score board in the first period the steelers finished the period 3–0 over the Chargers, with the last goal being scored by Rekimowich. She was assisted by Mackay and Oborowsky. 

The Steelers let in one goal during the second period but were swept in the last period by the Chargers.  

The Lloydminster Steelers were defeated by the St. Albert Chargers 4–3 by the time the final buzzer sounded. 

The U15 AA division of the AFHL is comprised of 12 teams divided into a north and south division. 

The Steelers’ next game will take place on Nov. 27 against the Peace Country Storm (PCFAC) at the Coca Cola Centre in Grande Prairie.