GRASSROOTS TO GREATNESS

Hard work, determination and using building blocks developed through their minor hockey years has paid off for a trio of BC Hockey products, recently named to Canada’s Women’s World Hockey Championship team.

Led by Micah Zandee-Hart, a veteran of the national team, she is now joined by Chloe Primerano and Jennifer Gardiner, who will be making their first appearances at the Women’s Worlds level for the prestigious tournament which begins Wednesday in Ceske Budejovice, Czechia.

The trio highlight the success of BC Hockey’s grassroots initiatives as all three have taken different pathways to the National Women’s Team.

“I know all the other players named to the team and I always knew they would be there one day, so it’s cool to have them there as well,” Zandee-Hart, who is also captain of the New York Sirens of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), said of the additions of Primerano and Gardiner. “It’s cool to see how much the game has grown in our province.

“To see those girls specifically grow up, take the NCAA route, root for them and watch their careers, and watch them accomplish that dream – it’s cool for me to just witness and be able to support them or shoot them a text here or there when they’ve been accomplishing something,” added Zandee-Hart. “Now to be on the same team – I’m really excited for the opportunity.”

A product of the Peninsula Minor Hockey Association on Vancouver Island, Zandee-Hart is considered by most to be that trailblazer for the province. Having played with and against boys until she moved on to the Okanagan Hockey Academy, the now 28-year-old gives back by working at development camps in her home province. In fact, she witnessed both her new teammates in their earlier years.

“I said to myself, ‘Oh boy, she’s going to be on the team one day,’ ” Zandee-Hart said in reference to watching Gardiner in her Grade 10 year. “A couple of years later I connected with Chloe and saw her on the ice and said, ‘She’s going to be on the team one day, too.’ ”

That day has finally arrived and all three look forward to the occasion, after years of developing through various BC Hockey minor hockey programs.

“I’m definitely proud of where I came from. Growing up, I didn’t really have anyone close to home to look up to or someone I could ask questions of,” said Zandee-Hart. “Now, when I go home in the summer, I can connect with these girls, keep that relationship growing and keep that BC Hockey connection tight.

“I look forward to that and I like meeting the next generation. I wouldn’t say I take it seriously as a responsibility, but I do think it’s a cool opportunity for me to give back to the game and do what people did for me, in guiding me and helping me accomplish my dreams. If I can be a small part in the next person who wants to do that, I will definitely be there for them.”

Gardiner, who came up through Cloverdale Minor Hockey Assosiation, before joining the Surrey Falcons and eventually landing with the U18 AAA Greater Vancouver Comets, looks forward to her first Women’s World Championship and the future opportunities for other BC Hockey players.

“It’s super cool to have three girls on this team and it feels like the number is continuing to grow. First it was Micah and then, myself, and now Chloe, so it’s pretty special and a good representation of BC Hockey and all that they’ve done for us, and hopefully the number continues to grow in the upcoming years,” said Gardiner, who played her NCAA hockey at The Ohio State where she claimed two national titles.

Zandee-Hart played at Cornell University and Primerano is currently attending her first year at the University of Minnesota.

“It was hard growing up. It was harder to get recognized and to be seen out in B.C., but going to showcases and finding the right coaches to work with were a huge part of the journey along the way,” offered Gardiner, who is currently enjoying success with the Montreal Victoire of the PWHL.

“In college and coming back in the summer to try and get other B.C. kids’ names on the map, I think you can just see the growth that the province has had and the success that Team BC is having at nationals, Canada Winter Games and other big tournaments,” she added.

Though this is Gardiner’s first crack at the Women’s World Championship, she has previously been a teammate of Zandee-Hart in the Rivalry Series against Team USA. Primerano also recently participated in the last Rivalry Series as the 18-year-old is making a name for herself after a successful minor hockey career.

“I remember watching Micah for the past few years on the (national) team and I feel like everyone in B.C. looks up to her and when you see someone playing at that level – from where you’re from – it shows the younger girls that it’s possible and they can be there one day as well,” said Primerano, who came up through the North Shore Winter Club before joining RINK Hockey Academy. “There’s obviously a lot of talent in B.C. and hockey is big there and it prepared me, pretty well, for my future.

“The North Shore Winter Club was a great experience - lots of open ice there. Just being able to go out and play three-on-three or, just even to mess around, helped my development at a young age. Having those opportunities definitely helped me.”

She joined RINK at age 15 and represented Team BC on several occasions.

“I felt like that was a good change for me. I was able to play a little bit more on my offensive side and work on that part of my game,” said Primerano, who played in the Rivalry Series at age 17. “I feel like it all helped.

“Having those opportunities to play in those minor hockey tournaments and play with friends and having that fun sparked my love for the game and it made me want to continue to play hockey. Those minor hockey moments helped me love the game.”

Now all three will compete for a World Women’s title.

“It’s a great group and it’s always cool to see some younger faces,” said Zandee-Hart.

“I’m super excited to be on the team and a part of this tournament,” offered Primerano. “Obviously, it’s my first time and just being able to play on this team and the players on it is going to be an exciting time. I can’t wait.

“It was exciting getting that phone call. I’m super pumped and can’t wait, and I love that there are three B.C. players there. That’s awesome. I don’t think there’s ever been this many on the team. It’s great for the province and it’s cool to be able to represent B.C. on a pretty, big stage.”

Gardiner, now 23, is also proud of the fact she’s also made it.

“It’s awesome. Seriously, when I got the call and hearing the words ‘you’re on the roster’ is something you always dream of since being a little girl,” she said. “It was something so far away and just a dream, but to be on the roster and on the plane to Czechia; it’s just so exciting and there aren’t a lot of words to describe the emotions going through your head.”

BC Hockey is just as excited to see the progress made provincially and the success of players rising through the elite hockey levels.

“The continued growth of female hockey at the grassroots level has created meaningful pathways for athletes like Micah, Jen, and Chloe to develop and thrive in the sport,” BC Hockey’s Vice President, Member Services – Minor & Female Brianna Davey  said. “Their success is a reflection of the dedication shown by minor hockey associations across B.C. and Yukon, whose tireless efforts are making it possible for more girls to discover a passion for hockey and take the game to new heights.”

Mario Annicchiarico is a freelance writer based in Victoria who has previously covered the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers, as well as the Western Hockey League.