A pair of up-and-coming Richmond hockey standouts have been named to Team B.C. rosters for a pair of tournaments.
At just 15, blueliner Courtney Vorster is the youngest player selected to the B.C. roster for the 2015 National Women’s U18 Championships, slated for Nov. 4-8 in Huntsville, ON. She is one of nine players who also suited up for B.C. at the Canada Winter Games, held earlier this year in Prince George.
Vorster is the lone 2000-born player on the B.C. team and played last season with Seafair Minor Hockey’s Bantam A1 team. Her development also included some time in Richmond Minor Hockey’s programs. She is now attending Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Minnesota where she is playing for the U16 girls team.
The B.C. roster was finalized following a camp last month at UBC that featured three exhibition games, including a pair against the UBC women’s team.
B.C. will travel to Huntsville for pre-stage practices before taking on Alberta in its first game Nov. 4.
“The players and team staff are very excited to travel across the country to represent B.C. at Nationals,” said Director of Operations Brianna Davey. “We have a great group of staff and players who are thrilled and driven to have a successful tournament.”
Meanwhile, another 15-year-old defenceman will be in B.C. colours at the 2015 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup, Oct. 28 to Nov. 1 in Calgary.
Matt Leduc was named to the 20-player roster following an extensive selection process. The towering 6-foot-4 standout played for Richmond Minor’s Bantam A1 team last season and was selected 31st overall by the Spokane Chiefs in last May’s Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.
Leduc now attends the Burnaby Winter Club Hockey Academy. The B.C. squad will be guided by former Greater Vancouver Canadians major midget coach Leland Mack.
“Some tough decisions, but we are happy with the team that’s going to Calgary,” said Mack. “We have a good mix of smarts, skill and size. We will need to be 20 strong for the whole tournament. All four provinces are capable of winning. The entire group is honoured to represent B.C. and B.C. Hockey.”
In 2012, Team BC captured the gold medal at the Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup, the first time in the history of the tournament. Their tournament finish was then followed up with a silver medal for Team BC in 2013. The tournament was not held in 2014 due to the Canada Winter Games.
