By Jeff D'Andrea

Vance graduates from Bears, leaves legacy

Mar 29, 2015 | 8:32 AM

After her final of five years in the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League, the Prince Albert A&W Bears goaltender Jessica Vance leaves behind a record-breaking legacy.

She’ll graduate from the SFMAAAHL with four league records: the most wins (48), shutouts (16), games (91) and minutes played (5,128) in five years with the Bears. She also guided the Bears to a pair of finals appearances, including this year’s runner-up finish to the Saskatoon Stars.

“She works very, very hard, she’s dedicated and we tell her she’s earned everything she’s worked for,” said Bruce Vance, Jessica’s father and the Bears’ manager. “It’s very encouraging.

“Our entire family is extremely proud of all that she’s done.”

But the record she’s most delighted of was contributing to the Bears’ franchise record of 20 regular season wins, winning 13 of those in 20 appearances.

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“That was a big accomplishment for us,” said Jessica. “That was my goal, to get my team to the final. We didn’t quite win the final, but we reached some good goals as a team and I’m pretty proud to be a part of that team and contribute to that [record].”

Like Vance, Bears captain Morgan Willoughby and Breanne Neudorf joined the Bears as 14-year-olds in the 2012 season. The three have become great friends during their time with the Bears.

After this year, they’ll be split up as the three will pursue different post-secondary opportunities. Jessica will be in the pipes for the University of Manitoba, Willoughby will join her older sister Kaitlin with the University of Saskatchewan and Neudorf will head to Red Deer College along with one-year Bears forward Madison Casavant.

Although Jessica, Willoughby, and Neudorf are all headed different directions, they will likely stay close, she said.

“I know I’ve made lifelong friends for sure,” said Jessica. “We’re pretty close. It’s a pretty cool experience, you’re not going to get that in too many other sports.

“It was good to share that experience with them.”

Ever since Jessica started high school, she’s been approached by universities and colleges with playing opportunities. In December, she ended the long search by committing to the University of Manitoba Bisons program.

“I’m excited to play with Manitoba,” said Jessica. “It’s going to be a big change for me because I’ve been playing Bears for five years.

“I’m pretty excited to be enrolled in that.”

The Bears will also lose their top two scorers this year in Tylor Lindsay and Madison Casavant to graduation, as well as top-six forwards in Jessica Lutz and Marlee Clarkson, and centre Riegann McAuley.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea