It’s one memorable night that reflects AJ Sander’s body of work over the last nine years.
The lifetime Lulu Island resident recently celebrated his 500th game coaching with the Richmond Ravens Midget “A” girls hockey team. It’s been a near decade of excellence, leading the Ravens to eight consecutive provincial tournaments and, remarkably, the championship game seven straight times.
Some of those special moments will no doubt be rekindled Wednesday night when the Ravens hold their annual Alumni Game at Minoru Arenas’ stadium rink (7:30 p.m.). The event will also serve as a drive for the Richmond Food Bank with spectators and players encouraged to donate.
Sander’s contribution to girls hockey is just the tip of his coaching career. He spent the previous 25 years guiding teams in Richmond Minor, starting when he was just 14, before being persuaded to come and lead Richmond Girls Ice Hockey’s top midget team. He agreed but only under his terms.
“I think it was talked about for three of four years,” recalled Sander. “After 25 years, it just felt the timing was right. The only way I was going to do it was if it was run just like every other hockey team I have coached. Just because it was girls, it wasn’t going to be any different. I expected the same level of commitment.”
His formula has certainly worked.
Under the team’s original name “Devils,” Richmond became an instant provincial contender. Equally as important, his players were routinely going on to play at the collegiate and senior “A” level of women’s hockey.
All of Richmond Girls’ teams would eventually be re-branded Ravens but the Devils name has appropriately lived on in the form of a franchise in the South Coast Female Amateur Hockey League, founded by longtime former Richmond Girls Ice Hockey executive members John and Pat Korenic.
It has become a premier destination for graduating midget players and the team is currently guided by Sander’s nephew Tony Cheema. He even helps out the team when he can and has welcomed back his former players to round out his Ravens’ coaching staff.
Currently the alumni includes Natalie Korenic, Nicole Kelly, Tamara Wong and Marisa Chau. Not only are the girls being groomed for potential coaching careers, their simple presence is a reminder to the current players what has been accomplished in the past.
“What Natalie is learning from AJ, you don’t get in the (coaching) classroom,” said her mom Pat Korenic. “It’s not only about the game but life skills too. It’s been a great experience for the girls.”
The Midget Ravens are fresh off a trip to Whitby, ON for annual Tournament of Heroes. The girls got a steady of diet of elite Ontario competition including a 1-1 draw against Nepean in a showdown of reigning provincial champions.
“All in all it was a pretty good showing,” said Sander. “Our only problem was we couldn’t put the puck in the net.”
The Ravens have now turned their attention back to league play as they look to chase down Surrey for top spot in the Pacific Coast Amateur tier one league.
