A university in British Columbia's East Kootenay region is launching an international women's hockey team, which will be led by a world champion Ukrainian hockey player.
Purcell College School in Kimberley, British Columbia, has formed the U18 Girls Prep Program for female players under the age of 18 who wish to pursue a professional hockey career and higher education.
This fall, the community of about 7,400 people, located about 200 kilometres southwest of Calgary, will be hosting athletes from around the world, including the United States, Canada, Ukraine, Denmark and Hungary, to study and play.
Purcell College School principal Duncan MacLeod says it provides an opportunity for both international and local players and is a win for everyone.
“It's a big benefit in that it keeps kids from having to leave school and also allows students who are less athletic to learn together,” he told CBC News.
“We strive to create exceptional and distinctive opportunities in rural areas.”
Ukraine's world champion Valeria Manchak-Jensen will serve as the team's head coach.
She has played professional ice hockey in the United States, led Ukraine to a gold medal at the IIHF Women's World Championship Division III and is a world champion in boxing – all at just 27 years old.
Now she plans to coach and inspire young women in the sport she loves most.
“I believe we're doing something great, there's a bigger purpose there,” she said, “not only is there a greater purpose of giving us the opportunity to grow hockey here, but it also creates different academic opportunities along with the opportunity to play hockey.”
She added that the school is currently recruiting players to play for the team, which will begin its season with training camp at the end of August.
“I think we're not only going to be a great hockey team, but we're going to be a team of great people and great female role models,” Munchak-Jensen said.
Assistant coach Megan Hostasek, a Kimberley native, said hockey changed her life after she left Kimberley at age 15 to pursue a career in hockey and become one of the top defencemen in the country and in Western Canada.
“I was a really shy kid. Sports brought out my personality. Sports was a way for me to make friends… I can't put into words the impact sports has had on me. I'm so happy to be able to give that opportunity back to you all,” Hostasek said.
The 36-year-old says while winning games is the team's goal, it's about more than playing hockey.
“For me, I want to see my students excel and have the opportunity to go to the college of their choice.”
She said it was a “huge” full circle moment for her and the Kimberley community, being able to give back to the city she first had to leave to pursue her hockey dreams.
Kimberly Mayor Don McCormick is optimistic the college program will be a success.
“Let's be honest, we're a hockey community,” he said.
“The timing couldn’t be better, especially considering the success of the PWHL last year was a real home run. [and] The focus on women's hockey is something I think the community will really welcome.”
