Wilsons Home Heating Cyclones, representing Fundy Highland, recently captured their first provincial female hockey title.
The Cyclones, playing in the Day of Champions at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre, defeated Metro East Inferno Red 5-0 to win the 2018-19 Nova Scotia Atom A female hockey title.
Following the victory, we talked individually with Cyclones assistant coaches Holly Masters and Rhiannon Roy. The interviews touched on both the Cyclones female program and positive hockey experiences enjoyed by Masters and Roy.
“After playing approximately 40 games, there’s something that stands out to me about our season-ending 5-0 victory,” Masters, of Murray Siding, said. “Brooklyn Bagnell Lauther, one of our best players, became sick before and during the game. When Brooklyn scored two goals and helped us to our victory, that made it all the more special.
“To see our girls pull through, I know our coaching staff was very proud of these players. It was a special moment for everyone. For me, it was a chance to give back after all this program has done for me.”
The first-year coach had played six years in the Cyclones program, her final season was 2017-18 playing AA midget.
“Our bus ride to Cape Breton is a special memory,” the starry centre said. “It was our last year playing together – we took the bus and it was a lot of fun. That game and that trip left a special memory.”
Masters, a Grade 12 CEC student, played for the Cougars under coaches Dale Miller and Scott Masters this past season.
“We had a really good year making it to the provincial final before losing 2-1 to C.P. Allan High School,” Masters, the team’s captain, said.
Talking with Roy, she first recalled a remarkable Cyclones victory celebration.
“I saw all the girls throwing their gloves in the air,” Roy, of Truro and an employee of Sport Chek, said. “Our Cyclones players were so excited with the championship win, they all rushed toward our goalie Amy Field. It was great, I know all the kids felt accomplished, they had worked towards this win all year.”
This is Roy’s second season as a Cyclones assistant coach.
“I enjoy coaching with Shawn Evans and being part of this team. I have worked at Shawn’s Hub Hockey Skills Camps for several seasons,I love working with young hockey players. It’s nice to see the up-and-coming talent.”
Roy, a forward, played this past season with Masstown Castle in the Colchester Women’s Hockey League. It was 2016-17 that she played for Acadia Axewomen.
“I loved it playing for Acadia, playing at that level was amazing. I got to be a teammate with players I had played against in my last year of midget.”
Roy played her first hockey with Truro Bearcats, a local atom house league team made up of both boys and girls. She first played all female hockey in 2011-12.
“I played for Colchester Cyclones and then it became Wilsons Home Heating Cyclones. Playing in the Wilsons program, I met my best friends. We made hockey trips together, we built special friendships that still last today.”
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Brayden Cream, left, holds gold medal as he spends time with Kevin Rempel of Team Canada, the 2013 world sledge-hockey champions.
It’s been an enjoyment talking with Brayden Cream at the RECC during Truro Bearcats junior A games, and more recently, during the Day of Champions.
Cream smiles often, he is so accommodating.
“The Day of Champions was a really fun time,” Cream, of Truro said. “I liked seeing the big crowd and everyone cheering for my brother’s team. They came up short in the last game but the boys should be proud, they had a great year.”
Brayden’s brother Keenan plays for Truro Physio One Bearcats Atom AA team, his father, Greg, is the coach.
“I became a New York Rangers fan because of The King,” Brayden explained recently. “Henrik Lundqvist is one of the best goalies in hockey, he is really skilled. I also like Lundqvist because he is good at playing the guitar, I used to play the guitar.”
Brayden looks ahead to some good days for his Rangers; they have some good young players and they have high draft picks this summer.
“I think the Rangers have a bright future,” Brayden reasoned.
Besides playing sledge-hockey, Brayden was the disc jockey for the major bantam Truro Bearcats this past season. He did a great job handling the music during home games.
Lyle Carter’s sports column appears weekly in the Truro News. If you have a story idea, contact him at 902 673-2857.
