Notre Dame Hounds' Sophie Shirley home after 'amazing' time on Team Canada
Sophie Shirley says international tournament was a great experience
Saskatchewan hockey player Sophie Shirley, who plays for the Notre Dame Hounds, is home after an international tournament where she played forward.
Team Canada won a silver medal after making it to the final round of the Women's Under-18 World Hockey Championship. They gave up a heartbreaking loss in overtime to the U.S. at the gold-medal game, played in St. Catharines, Ont., Friday night.
One of the highlights came prior to the first game of the tournament, in the change rooms when Shirley and her teammates donned their uniforms in unison.
"We all pulled that [Team Canada] jersey on over our heads together, as a team," Sophie recalled. "It was just a moment where everyone kind of knew that this was the start of an amazing journey. So, it was just an amazing feeling, one that I'll never forget."
Shirley was the only Saskatchewan-born player to make the trip to Ontario for the tournament.
The 16-year-old forward from Saskatoon netted three goals, plus an assist, in five games.
Shirley said she returns to her home team with many special memories.
"You get to represent your province and your country as well," she said. "Being able to put on that jersey was an amazing feeling and one I can't describe. [It was] a feeling that will stick with me forever."