BIENFAIT, SASK. — Chloe Sorenson's time in minor hockey came to an end on a winning note, and now she's getting ready for what's next.
Sorenson helped the Regina Rebels win the bronze medal at the Esso Cup national female U18 AAA hockey championship in Prince Albert.
Sorenson, a goaltender from Bienfait, stopped 24 of 25 shots for the Rebels as they defeated the Atlantic Canada representatives, the Northern Selects, 5-1 in the contest to determine third.
"Being the first Rebels team to ever medal at the Esso Cup is just another awesome feeling in itself, but it definitely feels like a dream come true," she said. "It's been long overdue for the Rebels."
She finished the Esso Cup with a 3-1 record, a 2.47 goals against average and a .903 save percentage.
"Every team was lights out every night, so you couldn't make many mistakes," she said. "Our coach made that very clear. The girls really pulled through and I'm really proud of them for that."
It helped that they were playing in Saskatchewan. Their families could come to the games and support them. They also knew the Prince Albert rink well from playing league games there.
Sorenson has played with the Rebels the last two seasons, winning 21 games and picking up six shutouts in her time with Regina.
"When I was 15, I had a tryout for the Rebels at a spring camp," she recalled. "There were actually eight other goalies trying out. Just being on the team was hard to get on, but I was really thankful for the three years they gave me."
This year's Rebels team was likely the most cohesive of any that she played on. The players became best friends, and she loved being in the dressing room with them.
The nine rookies stepped in and filled the spots like veterans.
"They were phenomenal throughout the whole season. It was a very solid group we had this season," she said.
She believes she has developed as a player and a person while in Regina.
But Sorenson also remains grateful to the Estevan Minor Hockey Association for the time she spent in their program. She played U11 and U13 AA hockey with boys' teams and spent a year playing male house-league hockey before joining the female U15 AA Goldwings in Weyburn.
Playing on boys' teams brought some higher competition.
"I made a lot of great friendships and it really set me up to play for the Rebels," she said.
Sorenson has committed to play for the Minot State Beavers next season. She believes the experience will help her a lot, as she'll have to compete hard each night to win a national championship with the Beavers.
She selected Minot State because it's close to home and they have the program she wanted: exercise science and rehabilitation therapy, which will help her become an occupational therapist. Once she toured the campus and met with players and coaches, she knew it was the place she wanted to be.
