By Christy Marsters
Madison Milne, 12, began her second season of hockey with The West Hants Peewee AA Female team this year. In an effort to help her team, Milne’s relatives Darryl and Jill Plandowski tried to get a signature from a player of the 2010 Canadian Women’s Olympic roster. A package with a Team Canada jersey was sent west.
The package returned with a big surprise.
It was hoped the jersey would have one signature but the whole team- 23 players on the nation team roster- signed it and wrote a letter to wish the West Hants Warriors Peewee AA girls good luck. “We were very excited about it, “ the local team’s head coach Jeff Burgess, says. “It meant a lot.”
“Especially with this being an Olympic year; it’s a chance for our team to be a part of it, in a way,” Burgess adds. “These women hockey players are big names to them (the young girls on this peewee team). For them, seeing the jersey; it’s just really special.”
Suggestions have been made to do an auction for the jersey, and it would be quicker, but a raffle gives more people have access to it, Burgess adds. “Plus, these girls selling tickets helps create a team atmosphere ... fundraising brings us together; as a team.”
Milne says girls on her hockey team were really excited about the jersey. “I thought it was cool to get the whole team to sign it,” she says.
“I think it’s neat girls get a chance to play hockey ... I like it when you score the goals, the defense player adds. “To the girls (who signed this jersey) I would like to say good luck and have a good season.”
Sharon Cochrane, Milne’s stepmother, would also like to extend best wishes to the 2010 Canadian Women’s Olympic Hockey Team. “We will all be rooting for Team Canada to win more gold in the future. Also, I give a big thanks to Jill and Darryl.”
These Olympians have made it as far as women can go in hockey and are the best at the sport in Canada and, hopefully, the world, Cochrane adds. “I was very impressed (to have this jersey; signed by the entire 2010 Women’s Olympic Hockey Team roster.)”
Renee Forsythe, Milne’s mother, says the jersey should be a great tool for a really good fundraiser. “I know Madison was very excited about it and anxious to share it with the team,” she says. “This is kind of a real rare thing, especially locally.”
The jersey and its signatures helps the girls set goals while they become more confident and active in the sport, Forsythe adds. “(These Olympians) are real role models for them.”
The community is encouraged to come out to The West Hants Warriors Peewee AA girls’ games on Saturday nights at The Exhibition Area at 4:55 p.m. The West Hants Warriors Peewee AA girls are now selling raffle tickets on the jersey to raise funds for their team. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5.
Tickets will be sold at games, outside the Superstore in Windsor January 2 and at the County Fair Mall in New Minas January 16. Or call Jeff Burgess at 798-8697. The draw will be February 6.
