Tibbatts excited about Chiefs squad
U18 AAA season preview
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/09/2022 (1196 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
According to head coach Derek Tibbatts, those who took a look at the Yellowhead Chiefs preseason results to get a gauge on how the team will fare this season weren’t seeing the full picture.
“We wanted to get our young players in as much as we could so that they get a better idea of what this level of hockey was like, especially as we have nine rookies on our roster,” Tibbatts said.
“They learned quite a few things in those games and that’s going to make them better in the long run.”
After splitting time with Sidney McMullan during the 2021-22 season, netminder Natalie Rampton is now leading the way in between the pipes for the Yellowhead Chiefs. (Photos by Lucas Punkari/The Brandon Sun)
The Chiefs — who open up their Manitoba Female Hockey League Under-18 AAA campaign on the road Saturday against the Winnipeg Ice before a Sunday afternoon clash with the Interlake Lightning — had a bevy of open roster spots heading into training camp.
Goaltender Sidney McMullen (NAIT Ooks), blue-liners Louise Fergusson (Manitoba Bisons) and Josie Nichols (NAIT), and forwards Levi Derkatch, Callie Maguire (Midland University Warriors), Abigail McKinnon, Darbi Poole (Aquinas College Saints) and Kora Tibbatts all aged out of the program following the 2021-22 campaign, which saw the Chiefs finish second in the league with a 21-7-0 record before losing in the semifinals to the Westman Wildcats.
“It’s a younger team this year but I’m really excited about being able to coach this group,” said Tibbatts, who will be joined on the bench by assistant coaches Sam Geekie and Dave Reagh. “They are always asking us questions and striving to get better for the next game or practice.
“This group doesn’t give up and their compete level is very high. Don’t get me wrong, there’s going to be some learning curves along the way, but I think it’s going to be a very fun year.”
Among the new faces that Tibbatts is excited to see take to the ice this winter is forward Kirby Gray, who had a goal and an assist in the Chiefs 3-0 exhibition win over the Central Plains Capitals on Sept. 17 in Portage la Prairie.
“She’s a hard worker with a lot of talent and a great shot,” Tibbatts added. “I think she’s someone that can put up some really good numbers.
“Mia McGregor (who played for the Westman Wildcats last season) and Grace Kirk are going to be good additions for us at forwards and Brooklyn Cochrane’s a solid defence that knows the game well. She has the ability to become one of the top blue-liners in our league.”
The returning skaters are led by veteran forwards Tryn Turner (34 points) and Lexy Waddell (eight points), who were part of the team’s leadership corps last year and are entering their third and final campaigns with the U18 program.
Hannah Reagh is back for her sophomore campaign with the Yellowhead Chiefs after earning the Manitoba Female Hockey League Under-18 AAA rookie of the year award last year.
The Chiefs are also welcoming back Hannah Reagh, who led the team in scoring with 36 points (14 goals and 22 assists) in 28 games last season on her way to being named the league’s rookie of the year, and netminder Natalie Rampton, who will share goaltending duties with rookie Clair Merckx.
In addition to those players, Tibbatts expects big seasons from forwards Kennedy Wood and Dara Thompson, along with blue-liner Reese Boguski.
“We’re going to try and play a fast game with a similar approach in style to the ones that we’ve had in past seasons,” Tibbatts said.
“It might take us a little bit longer to get to exactly where want to be though, especially as the new players get used to playing at the under-18 level, but we hope to get there by the Christmas break.”
Tibbatts also believes that it might take until the year’s halfway point until the true favourites for this year’s championship are determined.
“I expect the league to be a lot more even this year,” Tibbatts added.
“There’s a lot of teams like ours right now where they have a lot of younger players joining the lineup. The teams that build up that chemistry and develop the fastest are going to be better in the long run and they will likely be a step ahead of everyone as we all get back to speed.”
The Yellowhead Chiefs celebrate a goal during a win over the Westman Wildcats in Shoal Lake last February. (Photos by Lucas Punkari/The Brandon Sun)
The Chiefs first home game of the season will take place on Friday, Oct. 7 as the Wildcats will travel to Shoal Lake for a 7:30 p.m. matchup.
In addition to their league slate, they will also be competing at tournaments in Blaine, Minn., Wilcox, Sask., and Winnipeg this winter.
» lpunkari@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @lpunkari