WEYBURN – A defenceman from the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Gold Wings, Julianne Girardin, is on the roster for Team Saskatchewan’s Female Under-18 team heading to the Canada Winter Games.
The Winter Games will be held from Feb. 18 to March 5 in Prince Edward Island.
Team Saskatchewan has been a participant in Women’s ice hockey at the Canada Winter Games since its inception in 1991. Two medals have been claimed by the green and gold, with the first being silver in 1995 and a bronze in 2003. Most recently, Saskatchewan’s Female Hockey program finished in sixth place at the 2019 Canada Winter Games.
Team Saskatchewan on the Women’s side will include seven returning players from the previous season.
Team staff for the Female Under-18 team is represented by Robin Ulrich (Head Coach), Deana Gelinas (Assistant Coach), Alana Serhan (Assistant Coach), Kori Herner (Assistant Coach), Emma Galloway (Athletic Therapist), Colleen Compton (Equipment Manager), Kyle McDonald (Mental Performance Consultant), and Joel Houseman (Director of Operations).
“Being the head coach of an all-female staff for Team Saskatchewan is a really great honour and something that's really special and unique. … It's something that, I think, has only happened once before, quite a long time ago. It is awesome to see that we've got to the level that we're able to field a really well-experienced and strong coaching staff,” Head Coach Robin Ulrich said. “I think there's just a different connection that female coaches have with female athletes. It is going to be pretty neat, and I'm really excited about the journey ahead for our group.”
The Canada Winter Games run from February 18 to March 5, 2023, in P.E.I. The Female Hockey competition follows on February 27 to March 5. Team Saskatchewan Women will open their tournament in Pool B, against Team British Columbia.
Girardin also recently announced that she has signed on to play with the University of Regina for the 2023-24 season.
