Bears alumni and University of Saskatchewan Huskies player Jessica Vance (left) and Morgan Willoughby (centre) share some smiles at the end of the ‘This Girl Can’ ice session on Tuesday at the Art Hauser Centre. Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D'Andrea

This Girl Can

Bears legends come back and share their stories

Mar 4, 2020 | 8:31 AM

Back when Morgan Willoughby and Jessica Vance started playing hockey, there weren’t a whole lot of options. Up until the age of 11, the choice was either to play in a boys’ league or to not play at all.

“When I was younger, we didn’t have any female hockey up until I was in peewee or so. Now even in small communities, you’re seeing all girls teams,” said Willoughby, who’s family moved from Canwood to Prince Albert for more hockey opportunities. “I think it’s really important, it goes to show you how the game has grown over the last couple years.”

That was the first of many sacrifices and tough decisions for both Willoughby and Vance in their hockey journey, that took them from boys teams, to the Midget AAA Prince Albert Northern Bears, and to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies at the USports level.

They shared their journeys with young hockey-playing girls during the ‘This Girl Can’ event on Tuesday at the Art Hauser Centre.They had a brief on-ice session, then a speaking arrangement and Q&A session at the Ches Leach Lounge to pick at their brains.

“I think it’s an amazing event,” said Willoughby, who just finished her fifth and final year with the Huskies. “I’m really glad Prince Albert took the initiative to move forward and it’s bringing a lot to the female game for sure.”

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That growth has shown itself, as young girls can start playing in all girls leagues right away, even in some small communities. So they don’t have to play with the big boys like Willoughby and Vance did.

“It’s pretty awesome for them. For them to get noticed in the future, it’s pretty awesome for them starting out playing girls hockey,” Vance said. “That will put them a step ahead. I know that Hockey Canada likes it when you play girls hockey.”

For Vance, she looked up to Bears that were older than her like former goaltender Caitlyn Lahonen who played with the Bears from 2008-10. And of course there’s Morgan’s older sister Kaitlyn Willoughby, who Vance got to play with on both the Bears and Huskies.

But after winning the Canada West Player of the Year and finishing a USports All-Canadian in 2017-18, Vance has now changed roles.

“It’s pretty cool being the person standing up there and trying to inspire people,” Vance said. “I remember that there were some people that always inspired me. I’m hoping I can be that role model to some of those girls now.”

Tuesday’s event was put on by the Bears, the Prince Albert Raiders and the 2020 Esso Cup committee. Prince Albert will be hosting the Esso Cup starting on April 19, the national midget AAA championship.

“That’s huge. Hopefully it will grow the game here in Prince Albert. I’m really looking forward to it. I really hope we get a lot of fans out there and make a dream come true for these girls and these Bears.”

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW