Hockey passion important, says BWK coach Karissa Kirkup

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This article was published 06/01/2024 (725 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Coming off a season where the Brandon Wheat Kings captured the league title, and with just six returnees, finding chemistry with a rookie-laden squad takes time.

And third-year coach Karissa Kirkup is fully aware of this following tryouts in the fall before the U15 AAA Manitoba Female Hockey League commenced in late September.

“There were some very tough decisions to be made during tryouts, which I think is a great sign to prove the female game is growing in Brandon and the surrounding area,” she said of her 17-player roster.

Currently in second place (11-6-3) in the seven-team league, the Wheat Kings trail the first-place Eastman Selects (17-1-0) by nine points. The Selects boast a vaunted offence, outscoring their opponents before the Christmas break 72-13.

Kirkup knows there’s plenty of hockey to be played before playoffs start in the spring, and sees progress in her players after each practice or game. The passion is there, but practice will only lead to success when it counts as the Wheat Kings aim for another league title and trip to provincials.

“The players have showed up to the rink each practice and game to work hard and ready to improve,” she offered. “Since tryouts, we went through an adjustment period, as each team does at the beginning of each season, to establish each player’s role and responsibilities.

“We have introduced new concepts so players can continue to grow and be as prepared as possible to reach their own unique potential and move on to the next level.”

While some coaches are into X’s and O’s and using numerous systems in each of the zones on the ice, Kirkup approaches the game from a different perspective and relies on her coaching staff and draws from her own hockey history.

“As a coaching staff, we were first looking to build a roster of good people who work relentlessly hard at improving each time they show up to the rink,” she said.

Sixteen of the players are from Brandon, with only Callie Franklin calling Chater home.

Formed two seasons ago as a U15 AAA program, Kirkup worked alongside assistants Amanda Coey and Sheridan Oswald. This season, Coey is back and she’s added her dad, Kary Kirkup.

“I have been lucky to always have great hockey minds as well as great chemistry with the coaching staff,” she said, noting during the 2021-22 season the Wheat Kings won provincials, then added the title during the 2022-23 season in the new league’s debut.

Having played for a number of coaches with different coaching styles and philosophies, Kirkup can draw on this experience and use it during practices or as bench boss guiding the team during home games or on the road.

“I think it is important for a coach to be a role model in what they demand of their players,” she explained. “We model hard work, time management, a positive attitude, passion for the game, and giving back to the community that has constantly supported us since our inaugural season.”

Kirkup played her initial minor hockey in Portage la Prairie. Her family then moved to Virden in 2009, where she made the U18 AAA Westman Wildcats and played there from Grade 9 to 12.

In 2011, she played for Team Manitoba, winning a bronze medal in Saguenay, Que. A year later, she garnered a silver medal this time playing in Dawson Creek, B.C.

She was then invited to Team Canada’s U22 camps in 2013. That season, she played division one hockey for the University of Maine Black Bears, then returned home to play for the University of Manitoba Bisons from 2015 to 2019.

The Bisons won the U Sports national championship in 2018 and, in her senior season, was named an assistant captain.

So, the teenagers Kirkup’s mentoring and who listen to her talk about her hockey background know their coach has plenty of experiences and knowledge to share as they too look at their future in hockey, especially with the inaugural season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League underway with six teams in action.

There are two players with connections to minor hockey in the Westman currently playing in the league: Brandon goalie Kristen Campbell played in her team’s debut game, a 4-0 loss to New York, while Deloraine rearguard Ashton Bell had two assists in her team’s 3-2 OT loss to Montreal.

Forward Brynn Rice is the U15 team’s leading scorer with 15 goals and 18 points before the Christmas break. The Wheat Kings rely on contributions from everyone when it comes to generating offence, something Kirkup prefers so opposing coaches can’t just focus on a few players or shadow one line. Eleven of her 15 players have chipped in offensively.

“We have had great contributions from each player on our team. To have each player fulfilling their role at 100 per cent each time they show up to the rink is how we have achieved the success we have since the beginning of the year,” she said.

“A player knowing their role and doing it to the best of their ability will be key in how we finish up the year, whether that is killing penalties, scoring goals, chipping pucks out of our zone, or blocking shots … each role is just as important as the next.

“This is a very important concept for every hockey player to know and fully understand as they move on in their career if they want to reach their full potential.”

Between the pipes, goaltending chores are looked after by Shannon Hees and Morgan Gouldie.

Home ice has been an advantage for the Wheat Kings, since they sport a 6-1 record playing out of J&G Homes Arena. The ambience of the building and fan support also help with hockey success since the U15 AAA program started, according to the coach.

“We really appreciate all of the support we have had from our community since this program began. The fans make it very fun for the players to perform if front of.”

With the Christmas break but a memory now with the advent of 2024, Kirkup has her players back in action on Saturday when the seventh-place Westman Wildcats (6-10-0) visit for a 12:15 p.m. tilt. The two teams last met on Dec. 22 when Kirkup’s Wheat Kings prevailed 5-1.

A teacher in the classroom when she’s not on the Wheat Kings bench for games, Kirkup has an approach she uses when it comes to motivating teenagers playing hockey. She relies on a group approach, drawing her assistant coaches in to provide different perspectives.

“I think it is important to get to know each player as the year progresses. Our leadership team have been great role models since the beginning of the year, as each of them have been through the grind of our schedule last year, and winning the MFHL title.

“As a coaching staff, we are proud of all of our players, and have high expectations of each of the, going into the second half to work hard and continue to improve, as we want to see each of them succeed in their careers moving forward.”

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