WECSSAA girls all-star hockey game held in Amherstburg

The WECSSAA girls hockey all star-game was March 30 at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg. The two teams too to the ice for a group shot after the game

The best of the best in WECSSAA girls high school hockey were in Amherstburg March 30.

Team Blue beat Team Yellow 6-1 in the WECSSAA girls hockey all-star game at the Libro Centre, but the score took a back seat to the smiles the girls had during the game. The two teams played three 15-minute periods and had fun in the process, with schools from around the region coming in.

Grace DeThomasis, Ashley Mongeau and Tyler Lamarche represented North Star while Chelsea Benoit, Annalise Leighton, Megan Grech and Meridith Coulter represented Villanova.

Dan Pettypiece, head coach of the North Star Wolves, helped organize the game and noted the game made its return to Amherstburg. He recalled General Amherst High School hosting the game two years in a row with Villanova and Sandwich also hosting.

The game went by the wayside for several years but was brought back this year.

“It kind of went away,” said Pettypiece. “We tried to get it going last year but it was too late.”

North Star High School was represented by Ashley Mongeau, Grace DeThomasis and Tyler Lamarche.

The all-star game was discussed during the organizational meeting at the beginning of the season and was pulled together late. Pettypiece said each team nominated three players, though players were added as injury substitutions. Two players involved in a recent car crash were unable to play due to injury but showed up to cheer on their teammates.

“It was just a matter of getting jerseys ordered,” said Pettypiece, adding they arrived right before March Break.

North Star principal Kyle Berard performed the ceremonial faceoff and Pettypiece said alumni Rylee Varney was eager to perform the national anthem. Members of the Wolves took on other tasks like announcing, he added.

The final lunch of the season with the team was earlier in the day, and Pettypiece said the Wolves were looking forward to the game whether they played in the game or not.

“The kids were excited,” he said.

WECSSAA girls all-star hockey game held in Amherstburg

By Ron Giofu