Jessie Olfert has a few highlights from her first season playing Canadian Interuniversity Sport hockey with the University of Alberta Pandas.
Getting crushed by Hayley Wickenheiser of the Calgary Dinos isn’t one of them.
“She was going to the front of the net to crash the net. I stepped in front of her (Wickenheiser is listed at five-foot-10, 160 pounds by Hockey Canada) and it was like getting hit by a freight train,” said the five-foot-two defenceman. “She just knocked me right over. She is just a very intense player. I like how she plays, she has so much passion for the game.
“I was a little bit shocked. I wasn’t expecting to get hit that hard. Growing up she was the inspiration for women’s hockey. Having to play against her was exciting and I was nervous. It was definitely hard to remember that she was just like any other player. The smarts that she has on the ice and her intelligence of moving the puck and everything was definitely awesome to experience. Getting the opportunity to play against her definitely helped me improve too. I got to experience what a national player is like.”
Olfert, a Penticton Minor Hockey Association product, helped the Pandas (20-7-1 in their conference and 30-10-4 overall) win a Canada West championship. That was special because the program had not accomplished the feat in some time and had a big impact on Olfert’s teammate, Kayla Lavallee, who just completed her fifth and final season.
“To see how happy and excited she was, that was awesome,” said Olfert, whose team ended the season losing to the Moncton Aigles Bleues in the second consolation final on March 14. “That made all the hard work for the season completely worth it. She was joyed.”
Olfert, who started playing hockey at age seven in Winkler, Man., before moving to Penticton three years later, also loved the relationships made with teammates.
“We are a family,” she said, adding they still get incredible support from alumni. “To see how much the program means to people after they moved on from hockey, it’s a big highlight.”
The playoffs were a great learning experience for Olfert, who was in pressure situations that were also exciting.
“We all knew what was at stake. If you lose than you are done,” said Olfert, who last summer helped the Penticton Pinnacles women’s team win the Pacific Coast Soccer League. “The feeling in the dressing room was a little bit more electric than it was during the regular season. Being on the ice definitely there was always an extra level of, not desperation, but just a willingness to be first to the puck. Win all the battles.”
Olfert felt she performed well and received support from her veteran teammates. Her coach Howie Draper also like what he saw, though he did notice Olfert’s youth in terms of decision making and puck movement, but added she made headway. Draper said Olfert, who has played for Team B.C., is skilled, handles the puck well and is a good skater.
“I thought she played one of the best games of her season with us, which is great,” he said. “It doesn’t surprise me because Jessie had been improving all season. She is very open to coaches feedback and input. She’s quite a receptive young lady and a pleasure to work with. To play her game in one of the most pressure-filled games we’ve had, and play so well, I think it’s a testament to the kind of athlete that she is going to be.”