The squad featured 12 new players. Head coach Tori Murphy, a Virden product, said her eager and ready to learn charges came “leaps and bounds from the rookie squad that took the ice in September.” The Chiefs competed hard against the U15 AAA Manitoba Female Hockey League’s top teams.
“While we have a bumpy road this season, learning lots on the way - our girls are resilient, and grow from each game and lesson that is thrown our way,” Murphy said in February. “A lot of teams may fall victim to the blues in stretches of tough games, however, one of my favourite things about these girls is nothing holds them back. We always bounce back stronger, smarter, and ready to continue proving why Yellowhead deserves a seat at the table.”
Yellowhead went 8-22 last season with four overtime losses. The Chiefs fell in the first round of the playoffs to the Brandon Wheat Kings, a team led by Virden product Karissa Kirkup which went on to win the title.
The Chiefs included Virden’s Casey George, Elkhorn’s Kimberlee Malcolm, Khloe Brown of Miniota, and the Oak Lake duo of Courtney Cochrane and Rose Cochrane. Serving as assistant coaches were Oak Lake’s Kyle Cochrane and Elkhorn product Karli Frederick. Virden’s Danielle George was the team’s manager while Miniota’s Krista Brown and Kelly Cochrane of Oak Lake handled safety duties.
Courtney Cochrane was a key player for the Chiefs on defence and as an alternate captain. The second-year player was named a first team league all-star. Cochrane collected 17 points, including five goals, in 30 games.
“She is a relentless and physical D-man that dominates the neutral zone and can turn our offensive attacks lethal when she joins the rush,” Murphy said. “Court is a great kid with a big heart. Her teammates love her, and opponents despise her. She is one of the league's hardest players to go against, allowing very little room for error in her game.”
George finished third on the Chiefs in both points (18) and goals (eight). The second-year forward wears her heart on her sleeve, her head coach said.
“She is a grindy player that battles hard all 200 feet of the ice,” Murphy said in February. “She has been a key driver to our offence this season and carries her linemates with her offensive attacks. She is a big leader for our team on and off the ice and has a bright hockey career ahead of her.”
In her second season, Brown continued to make great strides up front for the Chiefs. She scored twice and recorded five assists in 29 games.
“Khloe Brown has one of the highest hockey IQs I have ever had the pleasure of coaching,” Murphy said. “She has grown leaps and bounds as a forward with our squad, becoming unrecognizable from her rookie season to now. Brownie carries her teammates’ offensive attacks, blows the neutral zone with ease, and finds open ice like no one else. She sees and reads the ice like an old pro, making brilliant plays behind the scenes that not everyone catches. I cannot wait to see this kid’s hockey career continue to bloom, as this is just the beginning for her.”
Rose Cochrane impressed in her first season. The blueliner was fifth on the team with nine points, including four goals.
“Rose has stepped up into big shoes as a rookie defenceman, playing on our main powerplay unit, and confidently contributing to our five-on-five play,” Murphy said. “She is a bulldog on the ice that doesn't let anyone off easy. She is a powerhouse in the D-zone, and an offensive threat that whistles pucks through in the O-zone.”
First-year player Kimberlee Malcolm collected a goal and an assist in 23 games. She was versatile and Murphy said she was “the definition of resilient.”
“She had a tough start to the year, breaking her collarbone during tryouts,” the head coach said in February. “While this was devastating, it didn't hold her back from putting in the work to be ready to join the squad after Christmas with a bang.
“Kim has moved up from the blue line, to be one of our smartest wingers up front. She has been doing extremely well with her battles on the wall, and creates excellent breakout options for her teammates creating space, and spreading out the opposing team’s D.”
