Nimegeers Off To Midget AAA

By Robert Thomas

For her entire hockey career 14 year old Brooklyn Nimegeers has been part of a boy's team.

For only three seasons did she play Mavericks female hockey but she also played on a boy's team at the same time.

But that is all about to change as Nimegeers has been granted exceptional player's status by the Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA). The status allows her to try out and play on a Midget or Under 18 female AAA team this season.

Nimegeers has already signed with the Regina Midget AAA Rebels.

And with a stroke of a pen she has likely seen the end of her playing days in the Moose Jaw Minor Hockey Association (MJMHA) system.

Brooklyn Nimegeers signs with the Regina Midget AAA Rebels - photo credit Facebook

Nimegeers development started while playing hockey as a four year old on a boy's team. From there she would continue on with boy's hockey eventually becoming captain of a male Pee Wee team.

Nimegeers, who excelled this past season with the Moose Jaw Midget A Mavericks, scoring 14 goals and adding 9 assists during 12 regular season games finds herself the only player born in 2006 the SHA has qualified to play for a female Midget AAA team.

According to her dad Jody Nimegeers the move is a big one in her hockey career and she will miss being part of the MJMHA system.

“It's going to be hard. She has played boys hockey since she was three. Some of her best friends are boys on those teams. It’s her future though it’s where she needs to go,” Jody said.

Speaking about playing Mavericks hockey Jody said it was a great experience and everyone played as a team with good coaching.

Although opportunities existed elsewhere going to Regina allows Nimegeers to live at home and continue her education at Vanier Collegiate and then commute to Regina for hockey.

Jody said the list of people to thank in Brooklyn's hockey development in Moose Jaw is extensive.

Nimegeers outside at the rink - submitted photo

Some of the people Jody thanked in helping Brooklyn make it to upper tier Midget play while speaking to MJ Independent were Dustan Ernst, Scott King, Trevor Weisgerber, Russ McDonald, Mike Botterill, Dawn Froats, Patrick Boyle and Todd Cole.