Bears looking to turn last year’s promise into this year’s success

Last season, the Prince Albert A&W Bears were the youngest team in the league, but with a lot of promise and despite their inexperience, the Bears finished in the middle of the table of the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League.

Now it’s time for that promise to turn into results.

According to Bears head coach Jeff Willoughby, who was given the job back in May, the team could have one of the most dynamic forward lines in the league in Carlee Hrenkiw, Kelly Regnier and Kaitlin Willoughby.

Melfort’s Hrenkiw lead the team in scoring last year as a 16-year-old with 35 points in 27 games and Regnier, from St. Louis, was third on the team with 27 points in 28 games as a 15-year-old rookie. Canwood’s Willoughby appeared as an affiliate player last season, scoring four points in two games with the Bears, but was their rookie of the year in the 2009-2010 season, scoring 21 points in 28 games as a 14-year-old.

“I see them being maybe the top line in the league, or (at least) they have the ability to,” said coach Willoughby. “I think Kelly and Kaitlin’s speed, I would say they’re right up there with the top five skaters in the league as far as speed goes and Carlee really complements them with her puck handling—she’s such a heads-up player. I think I can see them getting 100 plus points combined this year, easily.”

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Things look promising in goal as well.

Jessica Vance not only cracked the Bears roster as a 13-year-old last year, but was the team’s starter posting a 0.895 save percentage and a 3.99 goals against average in 16 games.

Vance and fellow Bears goaltender Kristen Cromartie faced 37 shots per contest last year, but that number could go down with the strong blueline play from third year Eleesha Cooper and second year Jolene Zakaluzny.

But as far as Willoughby is concerned, everyone will have to earn their role on the team both at camp and throughout the season. There will be 37 girls attending camp, which Willoughby said is at least 10 more than the Bears had last year.

“Nobody’s spot is going to be safe,” said Willoughby. “Girls are coming in to take the spots.”

Camp will conclude on Sunday with an intersquad game, which starts at 2:30 p.m.

jdandrea@panow.com