It wasn’t perfect, but the debut season for the Vankleek Hill Ladies’ Hockey League, which wrapped up play last Friday night (March 18), was pretty close.

The league, which started up in the fall of 2021 after organizers were able to recruit enough female players to form four teams, played two regular season games at the Vankleek Hill Community Centre each Friday evening – at 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. While the group, which had about 40 players in total, was a bit thin on being able to fill all four teams every Friday, some players were able to do double duty to ensure no games had to be canceled due to a lack of players.

“It was a little difficult, because we didn’t have a lot of girls,” explained Lee Clement, one of the organizers of the women’s hockey league. “Some had to play a lot for both teams.”

Sponsors also stepped up to help out women’s hockey in Vankleek Hill. The players were outfitted for the season in brand new jerseys provided by local businesses.

In the March 18 Championship Game at the Vankleek Hill Arena, the Donovan & Lebeau team topped Les Jardins Lamoureux 3-0, while in the Consolation Final J&D Mechanique beat the Judith Sauvé Sales Representative squad 2-0. There were prizes for the winning teams and organizers kept statistics during the year, also handing out awards to the top players at a post-game ceremony after the finals.

However the scores and statistics were secondary to the fun players were having on the ice and Clement is hoping that will lead to more female players signing up for the 2022-2023 season.

“If I can find 10 more (players) that would be great, because most of the girls are returning,” Clement said. “Obviously we did something right, because they want to come back.”

Anyone who would like more information on the Vankleek Hill Ladies’ Hockey League is asked to contact Lee Clement by email at [email protected], or by phone (713)872-3029.

While play has wrapped up for the league, some players will be continuing their hockey season just a little longer. The Gryphons ladies’ hockey team – an all-star team formed from the Vankleek Hill Ladies’ Hockey League – will be traveling to Niagara Falls in May for a women’s hockey tournament. The team traditionally heads to Burlington, Vermont, each year for the large tournament held there, however with COVID-29 border restrictions still in place, the Gryphons have opted to go to Niagara Falls in 2022.

The Donovan & Lebeau and Les Jardins Lamoureux teams congratulate each other after the championship game. Photo: Reid Masson

In the Consolation Final, J&D Mechanique beat the Judith Sauvé Sales Representative squad (in blue) 2-0. Photo Reid Masson

Players from the Donovan & Lebeau team celebrate after winning the championship game. Photo: Reid Masson