In continuing the tradition, the Westmount Minor Hockey Association is proud to announce this month’s player of the month for October 2021.

We believe it is important to acknowledge the opportunities and skills that minor hockey, and sports as a whole, can offer young people. Through hockey, children are able to develop sportsmanship, teamwork and discipline, which they can transfer to other areas of their lives, such as academics and community service.

With that in mind, we are proud to announce that our October nominee is Samuel McKenzie, age 17, from the M18 A Wings team. Samuel has demonstrated the exemplary skills that have earned him special recognition this month. Samuel is always attentive when his coach is instructing, first on the ice and always takes initiative. Recently, I had the pleasure as replacing the coaches of the team and I was impressed by Samuel. He came out of the dressing room, asked me if I needed anything with regard to the lineups, who plays what position & other team information related to the game. To me he demonstrated first hand, his leadership. We went on to win the game. Samuel began his hockey career back in 2011 in Novice A and has remained part of the program until this year which happens to be his last season in minor hockey. Samuel’s dedication to his team, his respect and his focus have made us proud to name him our first Player of the Month for the 2021-2022 season in the Westmount Minor Hockey Association.

At Westmount Minor Hockey, we are committed to serving the community by highlighting those whose talents have had a positive influence on their teams and peers. We will continue to support the recognition of young talent in the hopes that it will encourage and reinforce their participation in athletics, education and the greater community.

On behalf of the City of Westmount, we would like to extend our congratulations once again to Samuel and we look forward to seeing what he will accomplish in the future.

The City of Westmount is pleased to introduce its first ever youth all girls’ hockey team. This was one of the objectives established by The Westmount Minor Hockey Association prior to the pandemic.

This year 11 girls will take part at the M9 level (Novice). With the assistance of dedicated coaches, the girls have been practising together and developing their skills since September 11^th in preparation to start league games on December 1st.

The goal is to add an additional team of girls each year in hopes of bringing more of the Westmount community into the sport of hockey.

On the picture:
Top, left to right: MJ Blais, Caroline Parent Harvey, Chris Clark, Stephen Morganstein
Middle, left to right: Abigail Waters, Sophie Mantha, Eva Clark, Sophie Frenkiel, Raegan Piccioni, Romy Garshagen
Bottom, left to right: Emmanuelle Ghattas, Chloe Veronneau, Caroline San Gregorio, Mikki Morganstein, Emma Veronneau

The Atom AA Westmount Wings fell to the Pierrefonds Barracudas by a score of 32 on October 16 during the hockey team’s first inter-city hockey match of the 2021-22 season.

For the nine and 10-year-old players, it was also the first game since the beginning of the COVID pandemic more than a year and-a-half ago. Still, they played well and almost matched the Barracudas, who hadn’t been out of action nearly as long.

“We only had three weeks of practice,” head coach Shayne Jackson said in an interview with the Independent following the game, adding that the Wings “were grinding them hard” while out on the ice with the opponents.

Jackson said the Wings all performed exceptionally well. “They will literally run through a wall for me and I am really proud of every single one of them. They played really hard.”

According to the coach, the Barracudas had played in several tournaments since the beginning of last year, providing them with an edge against the Wings.

It was also the first inter-city hockey game held at the Westmount recreation centre since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. (Article from the Westmount Independent, October 19, 2021)