Female Alumnus Wins Bronze in Sochi
What a great day for female hockey around the world. I just finished watching Canada win Gold, and my heart has regained a regular beat. The skill of so many women in the Olympics has been a treat to watch. Today the West Coast Prep Camp is proud of another team in the womens’ division as well. As Swiss forward #88 Phoebe Staenz skated to a bronze medal today, and even scored in their final game, she becomes the first ever West Coast Hockey Prep Camp Female alumnus to win an Olympic medal. Many of the girls will remember Phoebe as the absolute standout in camp in 2011 during our inaugural Elite Female Camp with then National Team Coach Ryan Walter. She is an incredible skater, puck handler, and dedicated athlete. It was a treat for us to have the opportunity to be a tiny part of her hockey journey, and we are all proud to watch her win a bronze medal this week. As Canadians we can all be proud as Phoebe came to Canada to train at POE the year she joined us at Prep Camp. Despite being a Freshman, Phoebe is considered the best player, and leading scorer at Yale University of the NCAA ECAC Div I.
Canada’s Influence in Switzerland:
Canada’s influence on the game in Switzerland has been significant over the last 30 years. As I grew up in Switzerland and returned to play in the NLA and NLB years later, I feel a great sense of pride watching both the Swiss men and women play so well this tournament. The mens’ team coaches, Sean Simpson and Colin Muller are both Canadian and have had incredible success influencing the game, and I am lucky to call them former coaches of mine and close family friends. Together with my father Bob (Prep Camp coach), Sean and Colin won the Swiss National Championship in 1996. 2014 Week 2 guest coach Marc Crawford is currently the successor to Bob, Sean, and Colin at the Zurich Lions in the Swiss National A League.
Who is Next?
Hockey is truly an international game. The influence of Canadian hockey around the world has put us in a tough spot. We now share the stage with many incredible countries, and should keep us humble. To call ourselves the greatest is much harder than it used to be, and I take as much pride in seeing how we have influenced the game around the world, as I do in our own success on the podium. Congrats Team Canada, and to Swiss National Phoebe Staenz. I wonder who the next female alumnus will be to win a medal at the Olympics?
Registration Update:
- Week 1: Dorms 80% full
- Week 3: Midget and Junior goalie positions full
- Week 4: Junior B Showcase Sold Out, Dorms 90% full
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