Time Together On and Off the Ice Inspires Cougars Women’s Hockey Team and Youth

The University of Regina Cougars Women’s Hockey team didn’t just hit the ice this fall, they hit the road. For their annual Cohesion Week, the team spent a week at Thunderchild First Nation, about 113 kilometers northwest of North Battleford, building team spirit and community connections.  

Players and coaches spent the day sharing their love of hockey with youth from Piyesiw Awasis Community School, teaching fundamental hockey skills such as skating and stick-handling. In return, Thunderchild residents welcomed the team into their community, sharing cultural teachings, including tipi-raising, traditional Powwow dancing, and Bannock-making. 

I feel like that a lot of kids out here maybe don’t know that university hockey is a thing, or even women’s university hockey is a thing. I never had a team come and do an intersquad or university-level game in my hometown so I think it’s a good eye-opener for them to realize it’s a path you can take if you want. — Trinity Grove, fourth year BASc student, Forward on the Cougars Women’s Hockey team 

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