Grant-A-Week WINNER
Ancaster Avanlanche
Girls Hockey League

In the fall of 1998, the arena doors blew open and in walked a cast of 15 enthusiastic girls ready to hit the ice and play hockey. No longer content to merely watch from the bleachers, this dedicated group of fresh young faces was only too happy to relinquish the role of "spectator-only" in favor of a league to call its own. And what a league!

In the fall of 1998, the arena doors blew open and in walked a cast of 15 enthusiastic girls ready to hit the ice and play hockey. No longer content to merely watch from the bleachers, this dedicated group of fresh young faces was only too happy to relinquish the role of "spectator-only" in favor of a league to call its own. And what a league!

Small but mighty with just one Novice team on the ice in its inaugural year, the Ancaster Avalanche Girls Hockey League (AAGHL) proved size needn't matter when you have plenty of heart.

These 15 dedicated hockey players - many of whom had never before played the game - amazed all by going on to capture both the Novice Division Championship of the Stoney Creek Sweetheart Tournament and the Novice Division Championship of the Oakville Tournament.

Saving the best for last, the Avalanche girls capped a terrific season in spectacular fashion by winning their final year-end game in a dramatic shoot-out to earn the coveted Halton District Girls Novice Championship title. Bolstered by the overwhelming success of its first season, the AAGHL quickly grew from one team of 15 girls to three teams of 40 girls by the time play commenced in September 1999.

A second Novice team was added to the League roster, as well as a first-time Atom entry. The season turned out to be a memorable one with the Atom and Novice 1 Avalanche girls both winning their divisions at the annual Stoney Creek Sweetheart Tournament.

With determination and a healthy dose of competitive spirit, the Atom and Novice 2 teams made their way to division playoffs that year. And while the ultimate taste of victory went to the Atom team as it walked away with the Halton District Girls Atom Division Championship, the entire AAGHL shared in the celebration of another fine season of girls league play. In this its third season, the AAGHL continues to stress the importance of skills development and outstanding team sportsmanship.

With a commitment to having fun and playing safe, the League has welcomed continued growth in numbers and support. The beginning of the 2000 season iced a total of five Avalanche girls teams. Four of the teams are competing in the Halton Girls House League, as represented by two Novice teams, one Atom and for the first time, a PeeWee entry.

For many of those involved, the highlight of this season has been the creation of the League's fifth team - an Atom Rep team to compete in the "C" Level of the Southwestern Girl's Hockey League. It's an exciting addition that offers the girls an opportunity to renew their commitment to the game while stoking the competitive fires that lie within.

Thanks in part to a generous donation from Girls@Play, the AAGHL Atom Rep team has been fortunate enough to compete in tournament play this year in Halton Hills (November), Scarborough (January) , London (February), Hamilton (April) and the Provincials in Mississauga/Brampton (April).

The Avalanche Rep team girls share a particularly strong bond as 11 of the 13 girls selected to play were part of the division's inaugural year. The close connection has been a tremendous boost to team play and overall moral - both skills that begin on the ice and yet will undoubtedly carry these young girls through to their adult lives.

GO AVALANCHE GO!

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