Rylett honoured at pro contest

The North Halton Twisters' Girls' Hockey Association honoured one of its founders with a surprise presentation on Friday night prior to the National Women's Hockey League game between the Oakville Ice and Brampton Thunder at the Mold-Masters SportsPlex. Grace Rylett recalled the day about nine years ago when an informal discussion on the soccer field sideline amongst parents set the wheels in motion for the

establishment of the organization, which has grown to over 500 players in the Halton Hills and Milton areas. "Some of the parents at the soccer pitch were talking and somebody said they were tired of taking their kids out of town to play hockey," said Rylett, a public health nurse in Brampton. "Wouldn't it be nice to have something like that here at home?" Rylett credits local residents Pam and Bill MacGillivray for doing much of the legwork required to get girls' hockey going in the area, although she does admit to having good computer skills and a knack for organizing. Even though her daughter Cheryl has entered college and no longer plays for the Twisters, Rylett remains as the president. She has also served as a manager and trainer for various teams and recruited husband Bob from the boys' minor hockey ranks to coach girls' hockey.

Beginning with just 80 players eight years ago, the Twisters soon expanded into Milton and they've hosted a NWHL regular-season contest four years running. Several hundred fans attended Friday's game here-- which Brampton won 3-2 in overtime-- and just over $6,000 was raised for the Twisters' organization. "This is a real celebration of female hockey because we now have a model of hockey that is specifically focused on the needs and ambitions and skills of our players," Rylett added. "It's really inspiring for our girls to watch the NWHL here and to see how excited they are to be part of something that's unique and that they can call their own." It was a special night for two young Twister players, Laura Braga and Kaila Colavecchio, who skated in the pre-game warm-ups with the NWHL clubs. Brampton iced just 10 skaters in what turned out to be a rugged battle with its Oakville rivals, yet former Canadian Olympian Lori Dupuis scored her second goal of the game just seven seconds into overtime to give the Thunder the win. Karen Droog also scored for Brampton, with Michelle Lorion and Christine Brownlee replying for Oakville. As for the President's Cup, it will be awarded to a person who is recognized for their hard work and dedication to women's hockey, and could be a volunteer member or a player. Past winners of the newly named award include long-time national team member Geraldine Heaney. Another member of Canada's Olympic women's hockey team who will play next month at the Winter Games in Turin, Cheryl Pounder, is among the guest speakers slated to attend Georgetown's Hockey Heritage award ceremony and dinner on Monday, March 6 at Holy Cross Church. Tickets for that event are almost sold out. Call 905877-6710 for more info. TSN's Gord Miller will also be a guest speaker.