REDS Get Taste Of Team Canada Dream
(FREDERICTON, NB) Kendra Woodland can’t hide her disappointment.
“It hurts,” said the veteran goaltender and member of the REDS’ women’s hockey team.
Woodland’s disappointment comes from being left off Hockey Canada’s national women’s development team roster.
Woodland, a native of Kamloops, British Columbia, was one of more than 80 players, and one of a dozen goalies, to attend Hockey Canada’s recent national team selection camp, in Calgary.
Despite the pain of missing the cut, Woodland says another Hockey Canada experience has made her a better player.
“It helped me unlock another level of my game that I’m excited to showcase in the coming months,” she said. “It’s definitely a confidence builder to be in the mix with the world’s best.”
Woodland wasn’t the only member of the REDS in Calgary.
REDS’ head coach Sarah Hilworth was there as a guest coach. Her inclusion on the camp coaching staff came as a perk with a recent Hockey Canada award.
“It was an honour to have been part of the camp and to represent the REDS,” said Hilworth. “It’s great to be around some of the best coaches and players in the game, and I was fortunate to learn a ton while I was there.”
By all accounts, Woodland had a good camp, performing well in intra-squad scrimmages.
“I felt really good going into the camp,” said Woodland. “I was really confident after all the work I put in during the summer.”
“Being part of this camp was amazing. I think every time you get to pull on the maple leaf it’s an honour.”
Like Woodland, Hilworth left Calgary thankful for the experience.
“I certainly felt I contributed to the players’ experience and was welcomed with open arms,” she said. “It was a great learning experience that was challenging yet rewarding at the same time.”
“Just seeing the game at a different pace and level of detail will lead me to become a better coach,” said Hilworth. “I had to adapt quickly on my feet and learn the game faster at that level, so I feel the ability to push myself is something I know made me a better coach.”
23 players, including three goaltenders, were named to the national women’s development team. That group is now engaged in a four-game series, in Calgary, against Team USA’s development squad.
Hockey Canada’s training camp featured those invited to try out for the national team as well, including former world and Olympic champions and players who’ve become household names.
“Having lunch with players like Brianne Jenner and Renata Fast was really cool,” said Woodland. “Most especially, facing off against Marie-Philip Poulin made it all seem real.”
“Every camp I’ve been to with Hockey Canada, I build on how to be a good teammate. Everyone embraces a role on a hockey team, and I think it’s important to bring that back to our team this year, especially building off what we accomplished last year as a program.”
The REDS are coming off the most successful season in the history of women’s hockey at UNB.
They finished atop the Atlantic University Sport standings in 2021-2022, won the league championship and made the program’s first appearance in the national championship tournament.
Despite her disappointment, Woodland is confident she’ll get more opportunities to represent her country.
“I believe there will be, but right now I’m excited to get back with the REDS this season and see what we can accomplish.”
Having witnessed Woodland’s performance in Calgary, Hilworth knows Hockey Canada hasn’t seen the last of her goalie.
“I’m so proud of Kendra. I know how much she wanted to make the team. She’s resilient and I know she’s going to come back with the attitude to prove them wrong. We look forward to getting her feedback and putting it into action. I know we have the best set up for her here with strength and conditioning and our goalie coach, and that she is going to take full advantage of it. I know this is going to motivate her to get to the next level.”
The REDS open their 2022-2023 Atlantic University Sport regular season on October 7th, at Fredericton’s Grant-Harvey Centre, against the St. Thomas Tommies.
UNB’s first home game follows on October 8th, against Moncton.
STORY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS: Erica Perreaux/Hockey Canada Images