The Richmond Ravens Girls Ice Hockey Association is taking its program to the ultimate level this coming season.
The organization this summer announced it will be icing a team in B.C. Hockey's Female Midget "AAA" League - the top division available for girls in the province. The Pacific Ravens will take the Vancouver Fusion's spot as one of two Lower Mainland franchise's in the five team league that also features the Valley Phantom, Kootenay Wildcats, ThompsonOkanagan Rockets and Prince George Cougars.
The Ravens will be competing for a chance to represent B.C. in national playdowns, along with participating in some of North America's premier Midget AAA tournaments.
"The Ravens are committed to building the premier Midget AAA program in the province," said Tony Lindsay, the Ravens Director of Hockey Development. "Our goal is to compete for a national championship and to provide players with the best opportunity to obtain college scholarships.
"I see a real need for this level of hockey in the Lower Mainland and in Richmond. Players will be competing at the highest level possible, against the best midget teams in the country while continuing to live at home."
The Ravens just concluded a three-day selection camp as head coach Chris Wagner and assistants Al Wozney, Jen Fong and Perry Denure began the steps of finalizing their roster for the coming season.
The Pacific Ravens will give high performance athletes an opportunity to maximize their development and prepare them for participation in the highest levels of female hockey including provincial, national and university teams. The program also focuses on achieving academic excellence and players may participate in their local hockey associations as mentors to younger players or volunteer through regular community service to further enhance leadership skills.
Ravens president Patti Martin says the association's goal is to offer all levels of female hockey to players from Richmond, in Richmond.
"With our continued increase in registrations, the association needs to expand to provide this level of hockey," said Martin. "Many of our players at the younger ages are dreaming of continuing their hockey into their university years and the AAA level is the path to those dreams."
