Kohl On The Path To Her Hockey Dreams

By Robert Thomas

“I really enjoyed it because it was a good group and there was a lot of learning,” Jasmine Kohl said about her time in the Mavericks program.

Kohl who was in the Mavericks program before moving on last season to play for the Weyburn based South East Gold Wings Bantam AA squad was in town to help out with the Mavericks Festival Program on Sunday afternoon. The Festival Program is for the youngest players entering the Mavericks’ program.

On Saturday Kohl was in Lumsden after being selected as a member of this year’s Sask Skates U16 program.

The weekend was suppose to have been spent in a tournament with U16 teams from across western Canada but provincial COVID -19 measures forced its cancellation. Instead of the inter-provincial tournament it was turned into a three on three skater affair.

With a spare day Kohl spent her Sunday with her skates on helping with the Mavericks with their next group of young charges.

“The Mavericks program was good. The coaches and the girls helped me to stay positive and improve all of my skills,” Kohl said about her time playing in her hometown.

Jasmine Kohl (left) during the Mavericks Sunday afternoon Festival Program - MJ Independent photo

Despite spending last season with Weyburn (where she lead the team with 12 points seven goals and five assists) she said she missed playing out of Moose Jaw.

“I really enjoyed being with the girls they were all super good to me. It was nice playing out of Moose Jaw.”

This past weekend was a milestone in Kohl’s hockey development as she was selected as a member of the Sask Skates provincial U16 squad but due to restrictions to stop the spread of COVID - 19 the tounament with other teams from across western Canada did not happen.

But Kohl found satisfacton in the inter-squad tournament that was held in its place.

“ I was really proud of myself…I was a little disappointed the big tournament was cancelled but we got to play a little mini kind of tournament games. I really enjoyed that because it is better than having nothing at all.”

This season the Grade 10 Kohl is attending Carleton High School in Prince Albert as she has now moved on to play with the U18 AAA Prince Albert Northern Bears. Which means unlike playing in Weyburn she will be billeting for the first time in her life.

“I enjoy it. I got to meet a whole bunch of new people and go to a new school. My billets they are great too. I have three little sisters,” she said, adding “It’s a little strange I woke up and realized I wasn’t at home anymore. It is a little bit to adjust to. Their family style is just like mine so it is not too bad.”

The Mavericks Festival Program had some enthustiastic participants - MJ Independent photo

Playing in AAA means a lot more commitment with more practices and conditioning involved.

“We have practices just about everyday. And workouts too. We go to the gym that’s like about four times a week.”

The workload is less in the lower ranked A and AA. To make it in AAA it is a time commitment of 16 - 18 hours a week for practice and conditioning at the gym.

“Usually for A and AA it is about two times a week practicing and then a game,” she said.

In order to balance high school while playing at a AAA level you have to stay on top of your school work.

“You kind of have to work around it. As long as you are getting your stuff done before practice you are OK. Then you are keeping up on stuff. But if you wait until after practice you are just exhausted.”

A change this year to last year is adding the COVID - 19 pandemic to the mix.

“There is a little bit of a difference. The on ice stuff is all still the same. It’s just the off ice that is different. You have to be careful around the rink,” Kohl said.

Shawn Kohl with his daughter Jasmine - MJ Independent photo

All of the hard work is part of her ultimate dream to play hockey in the Olympics.

“My biggest goal is to play hockey in the Olympics one day. I always wanted to do that and go to a university or a college to play hockey.”