Ringette player headed to worlds at Christmas

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/08/2015 (3880 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

“My goal is to deny yours.”

This is the splendid twitter bio of Ryann Bannerman, a goalie for the U20 junior national ringette team.

Ryann can’t wait for the upcoming World Ringette Championships in Helsinki, Finland, which will run from Dec. 28, 2015 to Jan. 4, 2016.

“I am so excited to get the chance to represent Canada in Finland. It will be a wonderful experience.”

Ryann has been playing ringette for 12 years.

“One day my team needed a goalie, so I stepped up and have loved playing the position ever since. Ringette is my favourite thing to do. I love the speed of the game. I also love the team aspect of the game.”

Ryann grew up in River Park South, and spent plenty of time at the Jonathan Toews Community Centre.

“I am planning on playing my whole life, until I’m no longer able to play,” she says.

“I love it so much; I don’t want to ever give it up.”

Ryann’s mom Michelle, father Jim, brother Keigan and sister Alexis have all played important roles in her success.

“My family has always supported me no matter what happened. I could not be where I am today without them.”

Success seems to be a habit for Ryann, as she played a big role in helping Manitoba capture its first-ever gold medal in ringette at the recent Canada Winter Games.

“It was unbelievable. Words can’t describe how cool it was to share that experience with the 17 other girls on the team.”

Ryann wears number 35 and the story behind it will make any fan of sport smile.

“When I was little, my favourite goalies were from the Boston Bruins, Tim Thomas who wore number 30, and Tuukka Rask who wore number 40. So 35 was right in between them. I’ve been wearing it ever since.”

Wishing you the very best Ryann, go get ’em in Helsinki!

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Troy Westwood is co-host of The Big Show, every weekday morning from 6 to 10 a.m. on TSN 1290 radio. He writes about Winnipeg’s unsung sports heroes every other week in the Canstar Community News weeklies. If you know of an athlete whose story Troy should tell, contact him at: troy.westwood@bellmedia.ca