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Posted Aug. 30, 2002
Edmonton's Szabados begins bid with Americans to be 1st female in WHL
By Annie Fowler
Herald staff writer
Tri-City Americans general manager Bob Tory has an eye for talent.
If his past record is any indication of the future, the Western Hockey League may soon be putting its first woman on the ice.
The Americans invited 16-year-old Shannon Szabados to their camp, which opened Thursday at Rink B in Kennewick, and the right-handed goalie impressed not only coach Shaun Clouston, but also the veteran players.
"Without the ponytail, I wouldn't have known she was a girl," said WHL veteran Pat Iannone, who was shooting pucks at Szabados during the camp's evening session. "She looked good and fit right in. I was impressed."
Tory got his first look at Szabados in December at the Mac's Tournament in Calgary, Alberta. Before long, he offered the 5-foot-8, 145-pounder from Edmonton, Alberta, an invitation to camp.
"When I saw her play she was outstanding," Tory said. "If she'd have been a boy, she'd have been on a protected list or would have been taken in the Bantam draft. She's worthy of the opportunity."
Being the first female invited to a WHL camp didn't faze Szabados.
"I had gone to the movies with some friends, and when I came home my dad (Gary) said someone from the (Americans) organization had called and asked if I'd like to come to camp," said Szabados, who has been playing hockey since she was 5.
"I've always wanted to go to a WHL camp, especially in the States. I've never been out of Canada before."
Szabados played with the Edmonton Mapleleafs in the Alberta Midget Hockey League last season and her team finished second in the Northern Division as she posted a 2.45 goals against average in 17 games.
"I was Bantam age (15), but I played as an underage Midget," Szabados said. "I was the first girl to play at the Midget AAA level."
After evaluating Szabados in camp, Clouston saw why she has gotten the opportunities in what used to be an all-male league.
"First impressions were very positive," Clouston said. "Her positional play was very good and her reflexes and flexibility were above average. She didn't appear to be intimidated. Being out there didn't seem to faze her a bit."
Coming into camp, Szabados had played against some of the players on the roster, including defenseman Shawn Belle, when they were in Pee-Wees and Bantams. She also once played on a team with Ian McDonald, who skated with the Americans last season.
"They know she is a good goalie and that this is not a joke," Tory said of the other players. "I think they are excited to have her here."
Left winger Marc Conners, who spent last season with Americans, stayed after his practice session and was watching Szabados deflect pucks.
"This is my first time seeing her and she's not intimidated at all," Conners said. "She's better than some of the guys we had here today. If she keeps this up, she could have a good shot at making the team. That would open a lot of people's eyes."
Szabados said she was a little rusty, but otherwise enjoyed the practice.
"It was fast and a little different," she said. "As it goes on, I'll know what to expect. It was a lot of fun."
The Americans plan to carry only two goalies on their roster this season, including star Tyler Weiman. But with Joel Martin being traded to Vancouver, the backup spot is wide open.
"To get signed would be awesome," Szabados said. "I know what it takes, but a woman has never played at this level before. No one has stepped up to do it. I don't think of myself as a pioneer, I just came to camp to play hockey."
* The first day of the Americans camp saw Belle take the day off to rest injuries suffered at the Eight Nations Tournament in Slovakia, but he is expected to skate today.
Clouston and assistant coach Jim Hiller ran the rest of the 67 hopefuls through drills and seemed pleased with what they saw.
"I thought it went fantastic," Clouston said. "I was impressed with the attitude and the excitement."
The first-year head coach also was surprised with the training camp fitness test, which European rookie Josef Vavra took overall honors.
"Looking at the numbers, the returning players came into camp in better shape than last year," Clouston said.
* The Tri-City Hockey Booster Club will hold its 4th annual Miniature Golf and Picnic from 1-4 p.m. Sept. 15. Tickets for the event will be available at the Todd Klassen Memorial Classic on Monday and during the Sept. 7 and Sept. 10 exhibition games at the Tri-Cities Coliseum.
The event is open to the public and golf participants will be teamed with Americans players and coaches.
Tickets must be purchased in advance for the event. Adult tickets are $9 for members and $12 for nonmembers. Tickets for children of members are $3 and $5 for nonmembers. Children must be 4 years old to play.
* The Americans and the Tri-City Titans Junior B Hockey Club will team up for a doubleheader Sept. 7 at the Tri-Cities Coliseum.
Tickets for the event are $8 for adults and $5 for seniors/students and youth and are available at the coliseum box office. The purchase of a ticket will allow you admission to both games.
The Titans will play the Eugene Thunder at 2 p.m., followed by the Americans and Spokane Chiefs at 7:35 p.m.
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