WESTFIELD – The Westfield High School boys’ ice hockey team has made a lasting impression with its dominance in the sport across the state over the course of the last two decades. Now, the Bombers will be a dual threat.
Westfield has skated into the girls’ ice hockey fray with its recent decision to enter into a co-operative program with Longmeadow at Cathedral High. Five Lady Bombers are expected to participate on the Panthers’ team.
The school committee approved the proposal with the support of administration officials Oct. 21, and an announcement of that decision was announced recently by Westfield High athletic director Karen Gomez.
“It is a great opportunity for girls in the city of Westfield,” Gomez said. “There are a lot of girls in the youth (hockey) program. I can see it – if not in four years – in six years being a sport in Western Mass. Hockey for girls is growing rapidly.”
East Longmeadow bowed out of the co-op program, creating an opening for Westfield. Cathedral has been unable to field a full squad ever since a tornado ravaged the school a few years back.
“This (agreement) allows the program to exist,” said Cathedral assistant coach David Pelletier.
Pelletier, a Westfield resident, has served as coach of the Junior Falcons U-14 girls’ program for the last five years, alongside John Hoar, also a coach for the Panthers. He is also the director for girls and women of Massachusetts Hockey, a division of USA Hockey.
“The Westfield youth program has the largest number of girls moving up through the ranks,” Pelletier said, noting some 20-plus female hockey players between the Whip City’s elementary and junior high schools.
“It allows the girls, who have been able to play the sport at such a young age, to enjoy playing at a competitive level in Westfield, Cathedral, or Longmeadow in this instance,” Pelletier said.
Pelletier’s two twin daughters, Madison and Mackenzie, both freshmen, are expected to play for Cathedral this season. Both have played competitive hockey for the last six years.
Both girls have served as defensemen with Mackenzie also playing some forward.
Freshman defenseman Brittany Kowalski, sophomore goalie Lexi Levere, and junior goalie Kaylee Basile, all from Westfield High, are also expected to play.
A total of 13 players have committed to playing for Cathedral this season. The roster allows for a total of 17 players. The season’s first official practice will be held Dec. 2 at Stick Time Sports in Agawam.
“I hope that (because of this new co-op) Westfield High School will have enough girls to have their own team soon, and that goes for Cathedral and Longmeadow,” Pelletier said. “And then maybe we can have competition in our back yard.”
The Cathedral Panthers will compete in the Central-West Hockey league, comprised of teams from Algonquin, Leominster, Auburn, and Shrewsbury.
The 20-game season will open with Cathedral traveling to Algonquin to take on the Tomahawks. The Panthers will play some of its home games at Cyr Arena in the Forest Park section of Springfield, as well as a home game at Amelia Park Ice Arena, Friday, January 3 at 6 p.m.
The full schedule for the Cathedral High School girls’ hockey team can be found online at highschoolsports.net.
