CARLYLE - Aurora Kirkness is an up-and-coming hockey player on the Carlyle U7 Cougars team.
The Carlyle U7's have had to form three teams due to an exploding population. There are 26 boys and one girl, which is Aurora.
She is coached by Carlyle Cougars veteran centre Brent McLean, Colin Wilson, and Aurora’s father Scott. Alhough children this age don't have assigned positions, she considers herself a defenceman and is extremely proud of her accomplishments.
“I like working hard and playing hard,” she said. “I like playing defence and I have to wiggle my butt skating backwards. I like my teammates and really enjoy the snacks after the game.”
She has two favourite teams: the Carlyle Wildcats U18 female squad and the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning.
“I like the Wildcats because when I grow up, I want to be one of them. I like the Lightning because they are my mom’s [Sarah’s] favourite team".
Aurora wears jersey 53.
The family moved to the area from Sudbury, Ont., in 2013. They settled in Carlyle in the summer of 2016.
Scott and Sarah have two other children. Bennett is four and Eleanor is two. Bennett is also on the U7 hockey team and is just learning the game, and Eleanor hopes to play as soon as she is old enough.
“I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to coach my own children. Hockey was such a huge part of my childhood, and the chance to pass that along is very special,” said Scott.
He was pleasantly surprised by the affordability of youth hockey in Carlyle.
"Back east, a lot of families are paying thousands of dollars a year to keep their kids in hockey. But the Carlyle Minor Hockey Association does such a great job with fundraising, managing the kitchen, and soliciting from local businesses that they have been able to keep prices reasonable. Every kid should have the opportunity to play hockey, and here, they seem to,” said Scott.
Added Sarah, "My family is very fortunate to have such an excellent hockey program in town. My kids look forward to practice and games each week. The coaches have helped create a big love of the game in my children which is amazing to see."
Aurora scored her first goal only a couple of weeks ago but took that exciting event in stride.
“To play and have fun is number 1,” she said.
