RED DEER – The Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) is pleased to announce the 2021-22 Scholarship recipients.
The U18 AAA and AA scholarships were established to recognize the efforts of our student-athletes who are successful in the classroom, on the ice and within their communities. The Student-Coach and Officiating scholarships were established to recognize the efforts of young females who are full time students and are giving back to the game through coaching.
The 2021-22 AFHL Scholarship recipients are:
U18 AAA – Cassidy Rhodes, Edmonton Pandas & Sophia Gibbs, Rocky Mountain Raiders
U18 AA – Raneet Kahlon, Calgary Fire White
Official – Tina Krywolt
Coach – Alex Thomson, St. Albert Bauer Slash
Cassidy Rhodes – Edmonton Pandas U18 AAA
For Cassidy, playing hockey has been a huge part of her youth and she is extremely thankful to everyone who has helped her along the way, from coaches, to family, to teammates. Playing for Team Alberta this past winter was one of the highlights of her minor hockey career, and she wants to thank Hockey Alberta for all of the support and opportunities that were provided to her. Cassidy plans to attend the University of British Columbia and play for the Thunderbirds next season while working on her kinesiology degree with hopes of one day becoming a physiotherapist. Her hope is to continue to help the next generation of female hockey players in the same way that so many have supported her in pursuing her goals.
Sophie Gibbs – Rocky Mountain Raiders U18 AAA
Sophie is a graduating forward from the U18 AAA Rocky Mountain Raiders and was born and raised in Okotoks. She truly loves the game of hockey and has embraced every opportunity and challenge the game has presented her. If you were her teammate, she hopes that she was able to set an example of determination and positivity. This season, she was presented with the 2022 Raiders Award by the Okotoks Oilers Athletic Association that is awarded to those with exemplary leadership and dedication to her team, and what it means to be a Raider. Other than hockey, she is also a nationally ranked BMX cyclist. It is through the association with Okotoks BMX that she gives most of my volunteer time as a coach and mentor to up and coming riders. In her academic life, she has maintained an 85% average throughout my high school years. she is excited to begin the next chapter of my education studying science and kinesiology with the goal of a career in physiotherapy or medicine. she is very close to making a decision on what university she will attend and is confident that continuing to play hockey will be a part of my post secondary life.
Raneet Kahlon – Calgary Fire White U18 AA
Raneet Kahlon is a graduating forward from Calgary Fire White. Born and raised in Calgary, she played hockey for many years in her community association before finding a new level of the sport in the 2021-22 season, playing elite hockey and winning the Provincial Championships. She plans to continue playing hockey through post-secondary and is excited to be pursuing a Bachelor’s in Health Science at the University of Calgary. She credits her experiences and love for hockey to her coaches, family, and teammates.
Tina Krywolt
Kristina has been an avid hockey player since the age of five and has been working as a hockey referee for the Cochrane and Calgary since 2018. One reason Kristina got into officiating was to help inspire young female players and officials. This fall, she will be studying English and education at the University of Calgary in hopes that one day she will be a high school English teacher. She plans to continue refereeing while attending university and hopes to continue moving up the ranks as a female official. Besides refereeing, Kristina is also passionate about music and creative writing.
Alex Thomson – St. Albert Bauer Slash
Alex recently completed her first year in the Dietetics Specialization program at the University of Alberta. During the school year, she assisted in the leadership of the St. Albert Slash while simultaneously coaching at Vimy Ridge Hockey Academy and playing defence for the Edmonton Jr. A Wolves. Prior to enrolling to the University of Alberta, she spent three years at MacEwan University with the Women’s Hockey Team after her minor hockey career came to a halt. Overall, Alex is appreciative for the life lessons and experiences that the game of hockey has brought her thus far. In response to her gratitude, she is eager to continue supporting young, aspiring, female hockey players.