Champagne pops off for Wildcats

Westman Wildcats rookie goaltender Alana Champagne registered her league-leading third shutout of the season on Sunday against the Winnipeg Ice in a 2-0 victory for the home team.

“We’ve had a solid start to the season, and it just keeps getting better and better,” said Champagne, adding that it was awesome to complete the shutout.

The 2011-born goaltender is a Brandon native in her first year with the Wildcats. She played for the U15 Brandon Wheat Kings last year and had the choice of joining Yellowhead or Westman this year since the Wheat Kings do not have a U18 girls’ team.

“It’s a lot quicker,” said Champagne about transitioning to U18s where she’s competing against girls up to two years older. “It’s a big jump, but my teammates are awesome and have helped all of our rookies to ease into it.”

Many would assume that a 15-year-old goalie would play backup minutes in their first year of U18 hockey. In most circumstances, they would be correct; however, Champagne plays equal time to veteran goaltender Indigo Stone. Together, they are without a doubt the most formidable pair in the Manitoba Female Hockey League.

“(Champagne) and Indigo Stone have a really good goalie relationship and work well together,” said head coach Karissa Kirkup. “As a coaching staff, we’ve been really fortunate to be able to go back and forth the whole year, and that’s going to continue because they are both contributing to our team in really positive ways.”

Champagne’s 0.51 goals-against average and .978 save percentage top the league in both categories, while Stone’s .75 goals-against average and .956 save percentage aren’t far behind.

It’s a daunting task for the Wildcats’ opponents, knowing no matter which goalie they face, they aren’t likely to score very many goals.

Champagne attributes her success this season to her preparation, something her head coach fervently agrees with.

“I knew she would make a good transition just by how hard she works and the extra stuff she does outside of hockey to get herself ready,” said Kirkup.

She always arrives at the rink two-and-a-half hours before puck drop and makes sure to stretch while listening to music to make sure she is dialled in for game time.

Like many athletes, her preparation includes a healthy dose of superstition on game days.

“I always wear hot pink socks, and I put my right-side equipment on before my left side,” said Champagne.

Growing up with two older brothers named Kent and Hudson, Champagne spent her infancy as a prototypical rink rat. Years later, the Tri-City Americans selected Hudson in the sixth round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.

He currently plays for the Winkler Flyers in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and played two games for Tri-City in the Western Hockey League this year.

Because her family was steeped in hockey, Champagne feels she was always going to lace up her own skates someday.

“They played, and it was like, oh, my big brothers are doing it, I have to do it too,” said Champagne.

She started as a skater, but found goaltending at six and quickly switched to guarding the crease.

Champagne is a technical goaltender who prides herself on her skating abilities. She’s also very purposeful in her approach to stopping pucks.

“Everything I do, I do with a reason,” said Champagne.

Her incredible start to her rookie campaign is part of the reason why the Wildcats are first in the MFHL with a 7-1 record.

The team is currently on a four-game winning streak and has allowed just five goals against, which is by far the fewest in the league despite playing more games than any other team.

Their only loss came at the hands of the Winnipeg Avros on Oct. 16. The 2-1 loss is the only blemish on Champagne’s otherwise immaculate scorecard.

Kirkup is focused on continuing to improve the team as the season goes on.

“Game in and game out, there’s definitely small lessons we are always taking,” said Kirkup. “You challenge your team to play Wildcat hockey and not to go on the roller coaster depending on who you are playing against.

“Really great teams are consistent, and really great teams continue to prepare the same way and stick together as a group.”

One area of clear consistency, even at this early stage, is between the pipes. Champagne plans to keep it that way.

“Just keep the shutouts rolling,” said Champagne about her goals. “(I want to) have my teammates trust that I’m there for them if they make a mistake, and if I make a mistake, they are there for me. It’s a trust thing, and being very consistent is what I want.”

» rmccarthy@brandonsun.com