CHAZY — While the majority of people in the North are returning to outdoor sports, a select few are staying indoors just a little longer.
The Chazy Girls 14U Selects hockey team plans to travel to South Dakota to compete in the 2024 USA Hockey National Championship 14U Tier 2 division.
“We enter the national tournament as a Tier 2 team ranked No. 15 in the nation,” head coach Mike Beeney said. “We will be seeded in the top league and play against the best Tier 2 teams in the country.”
It's been a magical season for Chazy. They recorded two consecutive wins and a total record of 42 wins, 7 losses, and 6 draws.
“We won two in a row,” Beeney said. “We went on a 24-game unbeaten streak and went into the state finals with a 14-game undefeated streak.
“Our record against 16U teams was 11-0 and 13-2 when we only had eight skaters and one goalie.”
Although the season is long and players are not always able to play due to prior commitments, they look forward to being together to play the sport they love.
“These girls know each other from competing against each other and playing summer hockey together over the years,” Beeney said. “It's great that they get along really well and look out for each other. Getting together on the weekends and competing is something they all look forward to.”
Members of the team have played with each other for many years, but the 14U team was only recently created. In fact, it's only the team's second season in existence, as Beeney has found an opportunity to start.
“Two years ago, my daughter played for Kyle Sweener’s 12U boys team, Chazy Select,” he said. “When the players graduated from 12U, I went to the board and asked Chazy if we could start a 14U girls team.
“The board knows that building a competitive roster requires creativity and was happy to approve.”
And it was creative to have players from all over the North Country make up the team, including one from Vermont.
However, it didn't take long for the team to get to know each other.
“We held tryouts last spring and were able to acquire key players to complement our returning roster,” Beeney said. “We were also able to bring in a few players from the central region who found their team not tied to a tournament.
“The girls (from the Central Region) had played with the girls on our team on their summer teams, so they were very close. None of them had to introduce themselves.”
The team has played their best. Scott's memorial links from Chazy to the Utica area are the main focus. The team also played in South Burlington, Vermont, and Canada, particularly Cornwall, Ontario.
No matter where you play, the goal is always the same. It's about getting to the state tournament and going as far as possible.
“The goal is to win the state championship every year,” Beeney said. “The most important game of the season is the state qualifying game where you have to play everyone in your section twice.”
“They took out the top three teams in the North Section, and we were one of them. In the state tournament, every game is the most important game of the season, especially the crossover game. If you win the crossover game, you're in the state tournament. Not only do we get to the finals, but we also get a ticket to the national tournament. We were lucky to win the crossover game this year.”
The team is currently preparing for the long trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for the national tournament, which will be held from April 3rd to 7th.
Although the schedule has not yet been released, Beeney believes the girls will be able to play at least three or four games.
The ticket may be punched, but the biggest hurdle to getting there remains. The hockey team is currently fundraising to help cover the cost of the trip to South Dakota.
“We're still working our way up,” Beeney said.
“The problem is we really don't have time to raise money. We haven't reached our goal yet, but we are working towards it and we appreciate everyone's efforts. The donations and generosity so far have been… It’s great, but we’re far from our goal.”
Beeney said if anyone would like to donate, there are multiple ways they can donate to help.
“We have a Venmo account set up at @chazyselects,” he said.
“There's also a 99pledges.com fund on Facebook. And all you have to do is write a check to Chazy Youth Hockey. They'll definitely contact me.”
Beeney said he, the players and their parents are grateful for the outpouring of support. The best way to contact him is to email him at mbeaney76@gmail.com.
Simply write “14U Girls Selects Nationals” in the memo of the written check. The deadline for the team to collect donations is April 30th.
The Chazy U14 team aims to become the second Chazy youth hockey team to win a national championship. The U19 women's team won the 2013 tournament in San Jose, California with an overtime victory over the University of Michigan.
With just over a week left until the team heads to South Dakota State, Beeney said his goals remain the same.
“Once we get into the game, we're going to enjoy playing against some of the best teams Tier 2 has to offer,” he said.
“We have absolutely nothing to lose. The message to our players is to have fun, move the puck, don't be afraid to make mistakes and just let it rip.”
They're just enjoying their time on the ice a little bit more.
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Chazy Girls 14U selects roster
bailey barnett
briar beanie
sophia browning
Anya Boormaster
emma clarke
Miriam Felton
Ere Hulme
lianna gilligan
megan miller
Maddie Oliver
morgan oliver
Reese Payer
rowan ryan
abby stalhammer
