A WHOLE NEW LEVEL

The Winnipeg Ice have been playing the game at a brand new level this season. As a result, they have taken the Manitoba Female U18 AAA Hockey League by storm. Led by second-year forward Stephanie Jacob, the Ice found their way back to the league final for the second-straight season and earned their first provincial championship in the process. For many, operating at a 1.5 point-per-game pace during the regular season and playoffs would be a surprising accomplishment. But for the East St. Paul product, it was something she saw coming. “It’s nice having put that rookie season behind me now. Testing out the waters last year, it wasn’t a bad season points-wise, but it definitely wasn’t quite what I had in mind as to where I wanted to be,” Jacob told Game On of her 16-goal, 28-point 2021-22 campaign. “But this year, we have really taken it to a whole new level, having most of our players returning with the addition of four new rookies. It’s almost been a complete continuation of last season.” Jacob (42 goals and 68 points) and linemate Haley Braun (39 goals and 76 points) have put together one of the strongest duos the MFHL has ever seen. A physical forward, Jacob has also finished top on her team in penalty minutes in each of the last two seasons. The Grade 11 student has also compiled a ridiculous 266 shots on goal – 78 more than the second-ranked Braun. And where did she learn to shoot the puck in such a manner? None other than the sandy shores of Lake Winnipeg’s Lester Beach, of course. “My family has always spent a lot of time out at the cabin in the summer, and you’ve got to get the hockey training in somewhere,” she laughed. “So, shooting pucks on the beach has been something my brother and I have always done. It’s always been pretty funny as people intentionally walk by just to check out what we’re doing on the sand bar.” There is no telling how many unclaimed pucks have washed ashore over the past 10 years, but with her current goal tally, it seems as though that practice has paid off. “If you miss the net on the beach, you either have a super long walk to go get the puck or it’s lost in the lake forever.” As her 55 penalty minutes indicate, another area of the 5-foot-6, 138-pound forward’s game is that of physical fitness. Having played boys’ hockey up until age 13, Jacob knew she would have to bring a little more than skill to the table to succeed. But taking on the boys is nothing new for the 16-year-old. “My older brother definitely factored into my initial interest in hockey,” she reflected. “I always looked up to Anthony (who is currently playing with the MMJHL’s River East Royal Knights) when I was younger and wanted to keep up and compete with him. When I started playing Timbits hockey, I was teammates with my cousin Shaw and my uncle Kai was my coach. I moved through the A1 system to play AA Marauders at age 11. Then at 13 I decided to switch over for my first year of female AA Predators.” In order to best prepare herself for game action, Jacob sticks to a vigorous training schedule year-round, which has helped her find greater success in many areas. “Being physically active will not only help you on the ice, but it also trains your mind to compete with yourself and be more self-motivated in life as well,” she said. “We usually play on the weekend and have three practices a week, so I try to get most of my heavy weightlifting done early on, so I’m not sore for my games. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I’ll do my lifting and then I’ll have practices in the evenings. Thursday will be more of a cardio day, while Friday is usually a mobility/stretch sort of gym day.” Her hard work was also recognized by rival coach Ashley van Aggelen of the Winnipeg Avros, who selected Jacob to serve as one of the 20 players to represent Team Manitoba at the Canada Winter Games this past February/March in an experience the feisty forward will not soon forget. “When I found out I made the team I was a bit surprised, but I was just so happy and relieved that my hard work had been proven,” she said. “In the camps leading up to P.E.I. we really didn’t have much time to skate together as a group, but we were happy with ourselves on how we worked as a team; it felt just like we belonged to play together. P.E.I. was an incredible experience and really helped get me set for the playoffs.”