PICTOU – After a season to remember, the Northern AAA Subway Selects once again have their sights set on another trip to nationals.
The Selects have pared down the roster and are ready to begin defence of their 2018 provincial and Atlantic titles. They have added nine new players to their roster to replace those members who graduated from the team last year.
The Selects, who play in the Nova Scotia Female Midget AAA Hockey league, opened their season on the road Saturday with a 15-0 win over the Bussy Auto Pro Penguins in Dartmouth on Saturday. Outshooting their hosts 90-9, the Selects got goals from Eva Wornell (2), Ashley Livingston (2), KJ Emery (2), Mariah Linehan (2), Jenna Reid, Lindsey Smith, Landon Pitts (2), Ella MacLean, Abigail MacKenzie and Natalie MacKay.
The Selects had a season to remember last year, winning the league championship, the Provincial title and Atlantic championship, earning their way to the Esso Cup National Championship last April.
The Selects feel they left something at the table at nationals and are looking to earn another opportunity this season.
Coach Craig Clarke is behind the bench this season and feels his team is in a position to be very competitive.
"We have an excellent core of returning players and we have added some tremendous talent to bolster our roster,” he said.
“I think the rookies we have can contribute offensively and our defense will be as strong as any team in the league.”
The Selects feel they have added some excellent new talent to the roster and are excited to get going. This year’s Subways will be led by veterans Cassie Clarke, KJ Emery, Mariah Linehan, Ashely Livingston, Ella MacLean, Jenna Reid, Lindsey Smith and Eva Wornell. The team feels they have added an excellent core of rookies from across northern Nova Scotia. Alyssa Fitt, Taylor Long and Abigail MacKenzie from Pictou County join this year’s team, Colchester County has contributed the likes of Natalie MacKay and Erin Sulliavan, while Haley Harrison from Cumberland County adds some size and depth. Landon Pitts and Tori MacPherson from Antigonish add offensive punch while Kristen MacNeil from Bridgewater joins the team between the pipes.
Assistant coach Ron Turnbull said he has high expectations for the Selects.
"This is a group of dynamic, high level players and although we know we have a lot of work to do, there is a lot of excitement in the room. We're ready to get going."
The Selects will host their home opener on Sept. 29.
