Female minor hockey excellence on display at All-Star Day

SOMEONE famous once said, "all good things come in threes." They could have been thinking of Kristine Goldhawk, Vanessa Klimpke and Lorissa Blumenschein.

The Westwood Warriors trio were introduced Tuesday as members of the Winnipeg Women's High School Hockey League's White Elite all-star team, which will be a part of the WWHSHL and Bison Sports Female Minor Hockey All-Star Day Sunday at Max Bell Arena.

"We're team players and we wanted to do this together," said Goldhawk, when all three stepped forward to be interviewed. "Making the all-star team feels really good... It's like a great accomplishment to make it this far."

Goldhawk, who has been playing hockey since Grade 9 after switching from ringette, says being on an all-star team is special. "I played in two other all-star games. It's different because you are playing with a bunch of girls that you don't know, and play against normally."

The three are one of the reasons the Warriors team is enjoying a prosperous season, currently in second place in the CTV A Division with 23 points, behind the St. Mary's Flames, who have 28.

Klimpke, a centre, is eighth in league scoring with 28 points on 19 goals and nine assists. Goldhawk, also a centre, has 22 points on 12 goals and 10 assists, while defenceman Blumenschein has four goals and six assists to her credit.

The all-star day is being co-hosted for the first time with Bison Sports and the Bison female hockey team out of the University of Manitoba. It is intended to highlight the link between secondary and post-secondary education and sport, and to promote and celebrate the excellence and advancement of female hockey.

The festivities begin at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Max Bell Arena with the All-Star Showcase game, followed at 11:15 a.m. by the All-Star Elite game. The final game of the day features the University of Manitoba Bisons against the Regina Cougars in a Canada West conference contest at 2 p.m.

Playing at Max Bell Arena will be a highlight for Klimpke. "I haven't played in Max Bell before," she said. "Of course it does (mean a lot). I mean you see all these players, who are the top players in our province, playing in that arena. You get this feeling, like you can be there some day."

Blumenschein skates away from high school hockey last year to play for the AA Titans, but returned this season. "I came back this year because it is a lot of fun," she said. "It's also great to play with someone you go to school with, and some of my best friends."

Tickets are $10 and include entrance to all three games, a hotdog, soft drink and chips.

allan.besson@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 26, 2011 C4