They say hockey is in your blood, and that couldn’t be more true for a local brother-sister duo headed to compete on the national stage.
Bonnyville twins Ali and A.J. Macaulay laced up their first skates at an early age. Since that day, they’ve been unstoppable.
“I’ve always had skates on and a stick in my hand, this is what I’ve been born into,” said A.J.
Ali added, “We grew up with that around the family, playing hockey.”
Starting at the age of six, both of them have been playing hockey for a decade.
The siblings found success in their tryouts for a spot on the Alberta National Hockey Team. They will be heading to Sydney, NS to compete in the 2018 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships running from May 4 to 13.
“It’s like another step up... Emotions are flowing, and it’s a happy one because you brought yourself to it,” expressed Ali.
A.J. added, “Obviously, it’s a good feeling knowing that I’ll get to go to a part of Canada that I’ve never been before and with some of the best Aboriginal hockey players in our province. It was good news.”
Ali started her hockey career playing forward for the Lakeland Jaguars. Since then, she has been with different teams including the Bantam AAA Lloydminster Ice Cats, Bantam AAA Lloydminster Steelers, and up until last year, the Midget AA Elite Steelers, where she made the switch to the defensive line.
She explained, “I grew up playing forward all my life pretty much. When I started playing this year in Lloydminster, my coach suggested to try out defenceman, so I tried it out and I really enjoyed it.”
A.J., on the other hand, has been playing defence for the entirety of his hockey career. But, that doesn’t mean he won’t strategize to get in on the offensive play.
“I like to jump up in the play and create offence with the forwards as well,” he noted.
Starting with the Bonnyville Minor Pontiacs, he eventually switched to Lakeland Panthers. A.J. spent the last few years playing in Lloydminster for the Bantam AAA Heat.
At just 16-years-old, Ali and A.J. are already well on their way in their hockey careers.
“I’m pretty proud of the kids. They worked hard to get where they’re at,” said mother Lou Macaulay. “Every step of the way, every milestone is something to be said.”
Macaulay and her husband will be accompanying their hockey stars to Sydney, NS, and are excited to support their kids every step of the way.
“When you’re parent, you watch your kids grow up and they set goals for themselves and accomplish their goals. It’s awesome,” Mcaulay said.
Growing up in a hockey family, the sport is more than just a hobby for Ali and A.J. Thanks to the support of their parents, the pair have been able to follow their hockey dreams, and are glad they’ll be able to make them proud both on and off the ice.
A.J. said, “It will be a better experience because they’re going to tag along with us, and it’ll be family thing as well.”
