Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – The Forum locker room echoed with voices, as ice hockey players yelled for bigger skates and pulled on leg and shoulder pads. A typical pre-practice scene except for the lack of coaches. No boys or men allowed in this locker room. The first all-girls hockey team in central Aroostook began in October and practices twice a week at the Forum in preparation for their first game.
Head coach, Dennis Albert founded the league after his daughter and her friend, Hillary Albert and Whitney Michaud, played for the team in Houlton last season. Organizers discussed combining with Madawaska, but Albert saw the opportunity for central Aroostook to form their own squad.
“There are a lot of girls playing in the lower league youth hockey on mixed teams,” Albert explained, “but as they get older, strength-wise they don’t have it with boys. Especially in high school. The competition is there, just not checking. They still need skating skills, puck skills and knowledge of the game.”
Women’s ice hockey commenced over 100 years ago with the first recorded match played in 1891 as reported by the Ottawa Citizen. According to USA Hockey Incorporated, women’s/girl’s ice hockey is one of the fastest growing sports in both the U.S. and Canada. Currently, 50,000 women and girls have registered with the U.S. hockey organization, many of whom play on mixed-gender teams. Albert’s team consists of 11 girls with experience ranging from eight years to no prior play.
Second-year competitive player Michaud, of Presque Isle, has skated since the age of 6.
“I absolutely hate all other sports because I hate running,” said ninth-grader Michaud, wrapping hockey tape around her leggings. “I grew up on the ice, my brothers played and so I thought I’d try it.”
Michaud usually plays left or right wing.
Taylor Schumacher, an eighth-grade student at Washburn, uses her quick reflexes to stop the opponent’s pucks. “I thought it’d be fun and I wanted to go big with keeper.” She would like to go on to the goalie position in college ice hockey competition.
Albert, an eighth-grader at Presque Isle, takes the ice as one of the most experienced girls with eight years of organized games to her name. “My dad coached at Northern Maine Community College, and when I was growing up I went to all the games. I started to love the game.”
Albert swaps between center and keeper, and also plays on a mixed team.
“We goof around a little more,” said Albert about the difference between the leagues. She hopes to play for the University of Maine at Orono in the future.
Laina Mette, of Washburn, and Jillian Flynn, of Caribou, stand a few inches short of many of the girls as the youngest players on the roster in fourth grade. Mette just started on hockey skates and has picked up the abilities quickly. “I was ready to try it,” said Mette. “It’s easy to play.”
Flynn used to play on backyard ice rinks at home with her brothers, and enjoys watching professional play on TV. She goes into her sixth year of league games this season.
Other team members include Cameo Madore, Brittany Lovely, Jesse Lucas, Brittani Rhynold, Sophie Willette and, the newest player, Caitlin Flynn. Assistant coaches are Robert Albert, Dorme Lovely and Bob Ring. Cindy Albert manages the team.
The girls began their season against Houlton yesterday. No scores were reported at presstime. Albert and Michaud faced former teammates as their opponents. “I’m excited to see all the girls again and I think it’ll be a good match,” said Albert before the game.
The Presque Isle team also plays against Bangor, Brewer, Winthrop, Winslow and Augusta. They will finish their season the second week of March. Although the squad has a larger age range than many of the other lineups they will face, coach Albert has a lot of faith in their determination. “We have the heart … They have a willingness to try new things and they’re all self motivated.”
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
PRESQUE ISLE GIRLS’ HOCKEY TEAM: Back row – Brittani Rhynold, Brittany Lovely, Jesse Lucas, Hillary Albert, Whitney Michaud and Caitlin Fowler. Middle row – Cameo Madore, Laina Mette, Jillian Flynn and Sophie Willette. Front – Taylor Schumacher.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
HILLARY ALBERT takes to the ice at a recent practice at the Forum.
Staff photos/Meridith Paterson
HOCKEY PRACTICE UNDERWAY — (above) Jillian Flynn skates towards the goal practicing her stick work. (below) The newly formed central Aroostook girl’s youth hockey team takes shots at their goalie during warmup in a recent practice. They meet Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 
