Richmond Ringette is now home to the reigning national womens champion.
Last spring, the Lower Mainland Thunder made history by becoming the first B.C. team to win a Canadian title. Despite the tremendous success, the National Ringette League expansion entry was looking to establish some roots after bouncing around the Greater Vancouver area for practices and games.
The franchise would no longer be run by the Lower Mainland Ringette League (LMRL) and would be known as the B.C. Thunder to better reflect its provincial representation and beyond.
Basically they wanted a place to call home where they could hang their championship banner and show off the trophy, explained Richmond Ringette executive Tannis Tapley. There were several proposals and we were lucky enough to win.
We worked really hard to get the team here and it just made sense in a lot of ways.
The Thunder played their first official home game on Sunday at the Richmond Ice Centre and pulled out an entertaining 5-4 overtime victory over the Edmonton Wham. It was only fitting the winning goal happened to be scored by Richmonds Amanda Pukalo, her second of the game. The teams were tied at 2-2 at the end of regulation before engaging in a wild extra period that featured five goals.
Pukalo also chipped in with one assist as the Thunder swept the three-game series and improved to 9-0 on the season.
Amanda has played here since she was four and the nationals was her first gold medal in 19 years, said Tapley, who also noted local resident Bill Woodley is part of the Thunder coaching staff. Now our players can see with their own eyes the level what she has accomplished and inspire to play on this team one day.
Being an NRL player, especially in B.C. doesnt come cheap.
The team only plays nine home games all season and road trips are all out of province. While Richmond Ringette and other organizations do what they can to fund raise, players must reach into their own pocket for travel costs. Next month, the Thunder have consecutive weekend games in Ontario and Manitoba. The team will also also be defending its national title in Fredericton, NB in March.
The objective of the Thunder and the entire league is to promote the sport and raise the level of play across the country. Since the game was founded back east in the 1960s, Ontario and Quebec have typically produce most of Canadas top talent.
What's enhanced the Thunders success on the national stage is the addition of two top players from Finland. Last season, Sala Kyhala led the NRL in scoring and was named the leagues most valuable player. This year, she is joined by Finnish national teammate Tiina Mononen.
However, 90 percent of the Thunders roster played at the U16AA and U19AA levels, while Pukalo is among 10 players who have come through the LMRL AA program. These same players are now promoting the game they grew up in, hosting development sessions with Richmonds grassroot teams.
The Thunder will be back in action at the RIC Feb. 2-3 for a pair of games against the Calgary Wham.
In the meantime, Richmond Ringette is getting prepared for its annual West Coast Classic which has grown to become the second largest tournament in the province. The 2013 event will feature over 50 teams, including entries from Alberta and Saskatchewan. It is slated for Jan. 11-13. Richmond will also be hosting the Pacific Ring AA tourney, Feb. 1-3.
