Following a game at the U9 hockey tournament at the Canada Games Centre in Whitehorse between Dawson City and the Whitehorse U9 Girls team Saturday, the Star spoke with the coaches of the girls team.

Pat Tobler was the coach of the U9 Girls. He was assisted by female hockey player Orlina Meynard, 19, who played in the 2023 Canada Winter Games in P.E.I.

“It’s pretty great to see a team full of girls play out there,” related Meynard.

“They’re doing great. They’re getting better every game, so it’s awesome to see that.”

Regarding the game against Dawson, Meynard said, “Some of them were tired but they all gave it their best and it was great to see the energy on the bench and everybody supporting each other and they were all pretty happy with, I think, their performance.”

When asked what it means to the girls to play in this tournament, Tobler responded, “I think it means a ton … for some of them it’s their first game action ever. To play on a team with all girls in a fun environment like this has been really, really valuable for them.”

Maynard added, “I remember at that age having so much fun playing. For them playing with an all-girls team, that’s amazing for them because it’s a different type of energy. They all look like they’re having fun.”

Things were different for Meynard when she was growing up.

“I was on a boys team, so it was a different style of play.”

As far as being able to ice the all-girls team, Meynard said, “There’s so many people that worked towards that goal. I’m just happy to be able to help out.”

Tobler said the girls program has really grown in the last eight years.

“It’s really encouraged girls to try out hockey. Once they try it and have some success, like in games like this tournament here, they get really excited about the sport and they’re keen on continuing on and having aspirations of doing things like going to the Arctic Winter Games and Canada Winter Games, which Orlina did multiple times, so the opportunities are huge. The more girls we can get playing at this age, the better.”

Both agreed that the new Professional Women’s Hockey League can be very inspirational for the young girls on the U9 team.

Meynard said, “It’s great to see it because you can see it on TV, it’s out there, it’s so big right now, there’s so much publicity with it. I remember as a kid, I saw the CWHL (Canadian Women’s Hockey League). I remember the first time I heard about it, it was big for me, so I can’t imagine a whole league that has that much publicity and impact right now.”

Tobler added a thanks to Whitehorse Minor Hockey “for having the flexibility to include this girls team and thank all the coaches. It’s a great atmosphere out here. Not too competitive; it’s more about just having fun.”

Maynard added, “Thank you to Pat to make it happen. He worked hard for this to be possible.”