Young Mimico hockey star breaks through 57-year tradition.
The Queensway Canadiens Hockey Association recently named Elisabeth Hara (front) the league's first ever female captain in its 57-year history in Mimico. Here, Elisabeth poses with teammates from Team Atom Black.
Staff photo/CYNTHIA REASON
For the first time in its 57-year sporting history in Mimico, the Queensway Canadiens Hockey Association has named a female player as captain of one of its teams.
Ten-year-old Elisabeth Hara of Team Atom Black said she was "shocked" when her coach, Dave Murley, handed her - one of three girls playing on the co-ed team - the lone jersey emblazoned with a "C" on its left shoulder,
But for Murley, the choice has an easy - albeit historic - one to make.
"She outworks and can out-skate most of the boys. She's quite a little hockey player," he said of his star winger, noting that even with an injured shoulder, Elisabeth still made good on her captain's duties by making it out to practices and games to cheer on her teammates. "I wish more of the kids had her courage."
So far this season, Elisabeth, a Grade 5 John English Junior Middle School student, has racked up some impressive stats - with 15 goals and 11 assists in 13 games, she leads her closest teammate by 11 points and ranks fourth in the Queensway Canadiens' Atom division.
When asked about her accomplishments recently in the dressing room at Mimico Arena before a game, with downcast eyes, a blushing Elisabeth simply said it made her "happy and proud."
Shy in words but not in play, any meekness Elisabeth exhibited before the game disappeared as soon as her blades hit the ice, where, like her idol Sidney Crosby, she out-hustled bigger boy rivals to chase down the puck on several breakaway chances to the enthusiastic cheers from supporters in the bleachers.
"She's a very good player who holds her own playing against the bigger and faster boys," said dad Robert Hara. "We're very proud. She's a little hot dog."