Meet a young goalie with lofty goals

Kaia Sigurdson is a 14-year-old, Grade 9 student who attends Shaftesbury High School.

“School is going good,” she said. “It is my first year there. I like it a lot. (English Language Arts) is probably my favourite subject. I like to write.”

Kaia is also a hockey goalie who plays and trains with The Rink Hockey Academy. She’s in her first year with the program and really seems to be enjoying it.

“I was five years old when I started playing,” she said. “I am a goaltender. I started playing goal when I was young. I have always liked the adrenaline rush you get after a big save.

“I love the fact that I get to practise and workout every day. I really like being around the culture of The Rink and everyone involved. I play for the U18 RHA team. I like being around the older girls. There is a mentorship element to it. Listening to them talk about playing in university and how they are going to go about all of that is really interesting.”

Kaia lives in Bridgwater with her dad Michael, mom Annelise, and little brother Merek.

“Merek is nine and he is a funny, cute kid. He’s fun to be around (and) he talks a lot,” she said. “I want to thank my dad for teaching me so much about hockey. He played hockey as a kid. I want to thank my mom for always helping me with my mentality in approaching the game. Both of my parents have always been there for me. I love them a lot and I am very thankful for them.”

Kaia is motivated to play at the highest level possible.

“The end goal is Team Canada. My goal is to play in the Olympics,” she said. “After high school, though, my goal is to play at the U Sports level in Canada or in the NCAA in the United States.”

Kaia said her favourite players are Canadian Olympic and world champion Hayley Wickenheiser and former Brandon Wheat Kings and Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ron Hextall, who was known for his aggressive approach to protecting his crease.

So, wait a minute… Ron Hextall?

“I am a little bit chippy with players in front of me, but I really like how motivated he was to do all he could to help his team win,” Kaia said. “When I first started playing goal I had a hockey card of him and I did some research on him. He’s a Brandon boy!”

Kaia is great kid with a very bright future ahead of her.

She offers this advice to young athletes: “No matter what your goal is, work hard. You can do it.”