It was the trip of a lifetime for 34 Manitoba Women's Junior Hockey League Players, having the opportunity to play junior women's teams in Finland and Sweden as the World Junior Men's Hockey tournament took place.
The young women from across Southern Manitoba left on their European adventure Boxing Day, and returned home Wednesday and Thursday last week.
The experience was spearheaded by League President Kirk Kuppers about a year and a half ago.
And the answer is “Yes”, the group did get the opportunity to check out the World Junior Men's Hockey Tournament while they were there.
Kirk tells us the calibre of hockey from the European Club teams was quite high.
Below is a list of the players, coaches and managers who were part of the trip. You can learn more about the Manitoba Women's Junior Hockey League by clicking here.
Team Manitoba
G 1 Stacey Shearer
F 2 Kerri Donadlson
F 4 Katharyn Houston
D 5 Jodie Stewart
F 6 Josée Desrosiers
D 7 Paige Lindell
F 9 Maggie Girard
F 10 Janelle Chartrand
F 11 Natasha Esquivel
D 12 Breanna Murner
D 13 Kelly Pockett
D 14 Simone Turner-Cummer
F 15 Destiny Collins
F 16 Kelsey Conrad
F 17 Emily Carey
F 18 Jenna Mears
G 31 Taylor Morriseau
Coaches
Blaire Sachvie
Lee Stewart
Manager
Ric Esquivel
Team Winnipeg
G 1 Jacey Schettler
D 2 Lacy Magnowski
D 3 Alannah Raposo
D 4 Serena Daniels
D 5 Kennedy Hutcheson
F 6 Chelsea VanDeynze
D 7 Jandel Hay
F 8 Hayley Osberg
F 9 Tierney Maytchak
F 10 Tamara Kalinski
D 12 Taylor Neil
F 14 Meara Grant
D 15 Jen Derksen
F 16 Jayme Contant
F 17 Sam Payette
F 18 Madison Dreger
G 33 Stephanie Douglas
Coaches
Doug Orchard
Ashley Sabescay
Melissa Muir
Manager
Kris Derksen