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Locals hit the ice for Alberta Challenge

“Without the Lakeland Jaguars, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.” Sydney Dutertre, 15, credits growing up in Bonnyville and playing for the all-girls hockey team as a stepping stone to getting her to the Alberta Challenge.
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After growing up in Bonnyville, Dutertre moved to Edmonton two years ago to further her hockey career. She now plays for the AAA Bantam Elite Pandas, and attends Vimy Ridge Academy, a school with a focus on sports.

“Without the Lakeland Jaguars, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Sydney Dutertre, 15, credits growing up in Bonnyville and playing for the all-girls hockey team as a stepping stone to getting her to the Alberta Challenge.

”They gave me all my skills, they taught me how to play with teammates, and they taught me everything that I know,” Dutertre expressed.

The centreman had the opportunity to hit the ice alongside her former teammate and Cold Lake resident Alexandra MacLeod, who plays defence.

Two years ago, Dutertre moved to Edmonton to further her hockey career. She currently plays for the Bantam AAA Elite Pandas, and attends Vimy Ridge Academy, a school with a focus on sports.

The Alberta Challenge ran from May 2 to 5 in Leduc, where 120 players participated as part of six teams in a tournament format. The event is hosted by Hockey Alberta, and identifies and selects athletes for the Team Alberta program.

Dutertre and MacLeod were on Team North Grey, and finished the tournament with one win, a loss, and three ties.

She described the experience as a great opportunity, and a chance for her old and new teams to be blended.

”I got to have my two little worlds combine, my Bonnyville home and my Edmonton home. They came into one and it was amazing. Our whole team jelled well on and off the ice,” she explained.

In the five games played, Dutertre scored one goal, while MacLeod had an assist.

She described the Alberta Challenge as “another stepping stone for me in my hockey career.”

She’s waiting to hear back on whether or not she made the Alberta U16 camp being held in Camrose this summer. It could lead her to participating in a U18 team and eventually her goal of being part of Team Canada.

”I would love to represent my country wearing the colours red and white. It would be amazing, and a dream come true.”

Dutertre has been playing hockey for six years, and fell in love with the sport the first time she laced up her skates. She started out as a figure skater, but realized it wasn’t a good fit.

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