HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-04-14, Page 17THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1999. PAGE 17.
Wheeler shuts-out the competition
A fan and a player
Surrounded by hockey paraphernalia and photos of her idol Manone
Rheume, Brook Wheeler of Brussels reads, a pastime she doesn't often
have the time for. As goalie for the girls Saugeen Maitland Lightning and the
boys PeeWee team, Wheeler is on the ice five days out of seven. Off-time
she's usually out playing — road hockey of course.
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
When it comes to PeeWee hockey, the rink
can be a rough-and-tumble world. The action
is fast and typically separates the boys from
the girls.
Thirteen-year-old Brook Wheeler of
Brussels, however, says that as a goalie she
has less concern. "The guys protect me. It's
like having 13 big brothers."
But, more importantly, perhaps, than the
fact she is the only girl playing in the local
minor hockey system at this level, is that
she's good at it. This year's recipient of the
Brussels Minor Hockey League's Don
Higgins Memorial Award for most
outstanding goalie, credits her love of the
game and her ability to "great coaches and
the support of my teammates."
Wheeler's interest in hockey developed at
the tender age of five. "She wasn't enjoying
figure skating and Brent (her younger
brother) was playing hockey. They were at an
age when they could play on the same team
so we thought why not," explains mom,
Brenda.
She donned hockey equipment for the first
time in 1990 and took turns between
the pipes with her teammates. At
that time just one other girl was
playing hockey, Brittany Kellington.
Three years ago, when Belgrave
formed a girls team, Wheeler signed
on, but continued to play on the boys
squad.
Last year she earned a spot on the
more competitive Triple A. "That's
when I really started improving,"
she says.
This year, she brought those skills
to net for the Brussels PeeWees.
They enjoyed a stellar season. The
capper was an OMHA tournament
championship title in March, during
which Wheeler allowed just one
goal in three games.
Also a member of the girls
Saugeen Maitland PeeWee
Lightning, Wheeler's work in net
helped them capture three silver and
two golds, including a Silver Stick
championship.
"Both teams did do very well. I
have good strong players in front of
me,” says the young athlete. These
include local Lightning players
Kellington, Rachel Elliott also of
Brussels and Michelle Cook of
Blyth.
Wheeler is riWt so humble when
confronted with skeptics.'! love the
comment, Girls can't play hockey',
because it gives me the determin
ation to show them we can."
She admits she loves the attention
playing on a boys team brings. "I'll
be walking through an arena and I'll
hear someone say, 'There's that girl
goalie.'"
"I even love it when I hear them
laugh and tease my teammates about
having a girl in net because then I
can go out there and show them I'm
serious about this. If we win, I've got
the last laugh.”
The only problem she has ever
faced playing boys hockey is actually off the
ice. "When I arrive at an arena I have to start
searching for a room to change in. I usually
get some little closet that I can't even get all
my equipment into, or the light is run by a
sensor and it goes out as soon as I get in
there. But I manage."
Brussels, Brenda says, has given Wheeler a
storage room to use during home games.
Noting that women have been playing
hockey for years, Wheeler acknowledges the
sport is gaining popularity. "Girls hockey has
really taken off. There is a difference between
the two but girl's hockey is developing fast."
Though it means spending five out of seven
days in an arena, playing on both teams also
offers Wheeler an opportunity to hone her
skills. "I have probably played close to 100
games this year," says Wheeler. "The girls
team is lots of fun and they are great friends.
The boys team is the challenge I'm looking
for."
Her style
At 5'9" the 13-year-old Wheeler says her
size works for her in net. In a recent
tournament she showed winning form
allowing only one goal in three games.
Wheeler knows that by challenging herself
she will be better able to realize her full
potential and fulfill her dreams to play on
provincial or national teams.
Schools have helped her improve on these.
"Skating, stickhandling, agility, hockey
smarts, quick reaction, concentration and
focus, stance, angles, hearing the puck and
sticks are all things that make a good goalie
and all things I'm working on."
She may have an even greater opportunity
for that this fall. Wheeler tried out for the
girls hockey team at Culver Girls Academy in
Indiana and has been accepted. Brenda adds
that she and her husband, Gerry have a good
deal to consider, however, before a decision
is made. "It is an opportunity, but one that's a
long way from home."
Though excited about the idea, Wheeler's
got it in perspective. "I just want to play
hockey and take it as far as my opportunities,
talents and abilities allow."
Hurricane swim team competes at Waterloo meet
The Hurricane swim team
competed at a development meet in
Waterloo.
In the 10 and under division,
Melanie McCann won first in the
200-metre backstroke, and the 200-
metre individual medley. She
placed second in the SO back and
fourth in the 50 fly. Matt Miner
won first in the 200-free, the 100
backstroke, the 200-individual
medley and the 50 backstroke, in
which he set a team record.
In the 1 1 and 12 age group,
Susan Miner won first in the 200-
metre individual medley and the
50-metre butterfly. She placed
second in the 100 butterfly and
seventh in the 200-metre freestyle.
Kelly Van Vandendool placed
second in the 200 individual
medley, third in the 100
backstroke, fourth in the 50 fly and
eighth in the 200 freestyle.
Laurie Vandendool placed
second in the 200-metre
backstroke, and third in the 50 free,
the 200 individual medley, and the
100 butterfly. Meghan Lee placed
fourth in the 100 butterfly, and fifth
in the 100 freestyle and the fifty
butterfly.
Jillian Wright placed first in the
50 backstroke, third in the 50
breast, the 100 breaststroke, and the
200 breaststroke. Patrick
Livingstone placed first in the 50
breast, the 100 breaststroke and the
200 breaststroke. He placed fourth
in the 50-metre freestyle.
In the 13 and 14-year-old
division, Allison Segeren placed
first in the 50 breast, and the 200
butterfly. She placed third in the
200-metre backstroke, and sixth in
the 100-metre freestyle. Candace
Becker placed second in the 200-
metre backstroke, and the 50* metre
butterfly. She also placed third in
the 100-metre backstroke, and the
50-metre butterfly. She also placed
third in the 100-metre backstroke,
and fifth in the 100-metre freestyle.
Jessie Connolly placed first in the
200 individual medley, third in the
50 fly, and fourth in the 200
freestyle. Meghan Morris placed
second in the 200 individual
medley and fourth in both the 50
fly and the 100-metre backstroke.
Brittany Segeren won first in the
50 fly and second in the 100 fly and
the 100-metre freestyle. Leeanne
Vincent placed fourth in the 50 free
and sixth in the 100 backstroke.
Elizabeth MacGregor placed first in
the backstroke, third in the 200
individual medley and seventh in
both the 200 free and the iOtfr
backstroke.
Aaron Datars placed first in the
200 individual medley, third in the
50 free, fourth in the 100
backstroke and fifth in the 200 free.
Scott McNicholl won first in the 50
breaststroke, second in the 100
breaststroke and sixth in both the
50 free and the 100 freestyle.
In the 15 and over age group,
Sarah Datema won first in the 200
individual medley. She placed
second in the 50 free, and third in
both the 100 backstroke and the 50
butterfly.
Sarah McNicholl placed third in
B & W TRAILBLAZERS j
General Meeting and Elections
WEDNESDAY APRIL 21, 1999
8:15 at the B & W Clubhouse ~ Brussels
Executive positions available
Come out and support YOUR club
See you there!
the 50 free, fourth in the 50 fly and
fifth in the 100 backstroke. Jessica
Tyndall placed second in the 100
fly, fourth in the 100 freestyle and
fifth in the 50 butterfly. Jason
Brown woq first in the 50
backstroke, second in the 50 free,
fourth in the 200 free and fifth in
the 100 freestyle.
Continued on page 18