We all know of the large success of the PHM Mirage girl’s hockey team in the past years. Last year the journey to state was quite an experience for the girls. However this is a new season, with new varsity players, new seniors, and new teams to play.

Glen Gilderman, the head coach of the PHM Mirage varsity team, has a different view on the situation. He sees it as an opportunity to improve and grow as a team. “We lost a lot of seniors last year,” Gilderman said, “This is an opportunity to either rebuild or reload the team.”

There are a lot of girls moving up to the varsity level this year. Freshman Chelsea Swanson said, “Varsity is a lot harder. It’s faster paced and is a lot different than the U14 team I was on last year. It took a lot of hard work to be able to play varsity.” Being smaller is difficult and it takes a lot of strength to play at varsity level. Gilderman said that womens hockey gets more physical every year.

Seniors are expected to fill in and do their job as captains this season. “With the amount of girls we lost last year,” Gilderman explained, “our seniors need to stay positive and help the new girls. They are doing a pretty good job so far.”

Along with gaining abilities as a team, they are also making a new family. Swanson said, “I have so much fun with these girls. It’s so great meeting girls from other schools and getting to play hockey with them. We always have a good time in the locker room.” In the locker room they have songs that they love to sing together and get themselves pumped for the game.

The girls are looking for a successful season and are willing to work together as one. Gilderman explained, “I believe if everyone keeps a positive attitude and works their hardest, we can win the section again.” The team stays together and always remembers that….HARD WORK WORKS!