Kimberly Newell of Burnaby will be getting her first opportunity to show what a B.C. goalie can do at Hockey Canada's under-18 women's selection camp.
The 15-year-old Burnaby Winter Club product will be the youngest of four goaltenders invited to the 40-player national team camp next week at the Canadian International Hockey Academy in Rockland, Ont.
Hockey Canada will use the camp to select 22 players for a three-game series against the United States following the weeklong sessions.
"It's pretty exciting. I knew I had a chance, but I didn't really think I could be going until I got the email," said Newell earlier this week. "It's kind of like that wow thing, and now what do I do to get ready for the camp."
Newell spent a week at the Elite Goalies camp sharpening her game in readiness for the week ahead. She also tuned up as an under-ager at the B.C. under-18 women's team building camp earlier last month.
But as one of just three B.C. players invited to the national champ, Newell knows she will have to do something special to stand out.
"I have to kick the door down first," she said with a laugh. "I have to go into camp and show what I can do and not to worry about the other girls and not worry about anything.
"I just have to show them I'm fast, I'm strong and I can stop the puck."
Newell has put together a long resumé of doing just that and not just in the women's game.
Since 2004, Newell has won more than a dozen MVP awards playing A-level boys' hockey, including the heart and hustle award in the championship game at the St. Albert AAA bantam boys' tournament last year.
She played goal for two winter club peewee provincial winners, including winning the AAA title in overtime.
As a AAA bantam, Newell played six of seven games and finished with a 93-per cent save average in a silver medal at the provincials. She also helped BWC win bronze at the Western Canadians hosted in Burnaby in 2010.
But it wasn't always like that. When Newell was just little, she was scared to even walk out on the ice.
But the desire to follow her older brother Victor into hockey overcame her childhood fear, and in goal she found her place.
"The first time I got to play goal, I really, really liked it. I begged my parents to let me be a goalie," said Newell. "As a player, I felt almost awkward, although I was good at defence. But in goal, it was my thing I can do this."
Newell finally got her wish, promising her parents that she would follow their advice.
"My parents always reminded me to play my best and compete hard if I wanted to play with the boys, so I worked hard, and it worked out that way."
In fact, Newell worked so hard that the boy she played second fiddle to through atom and peewee finally left the association rather than risk a season of backup in bantam.
"Actually, when I was young, it was fun and stuff, but when the boys got bigger, stronger and tougher, I could push myself. I had that motivation to play harder, and when I have the motivation to play with the guys, it motivates me even more," said the St. Thomas More honour student.
"I'm going to keep playing with the boys until I get to university. I feel it's a level that will keep pushing me."
More than two-thirds of the players on B.C.'s u-18 women's team are currently attending private out-of-province hockey academies to ensure a higher level of competition.
It also helps to go above and beyond to get the attention of university scouts.
Last year, Newell did just that, winning the best goalie award and Division A title with a select women's team at the Chowder Cup in Boston.
Making a good first impression at next week's selection camp is now foremost in her mind.
"I want to be faster than everyone else and show them that I'm in charge and I'm a leader," Newell said. "What is important is that I can stop the puck and be a leader."
At 5-9, Newell has the advantage of size over the other three girls. She also has a history of consistency in big games.
But ultimately, the final decision will come down to a lot of other variables, she added.
With that in mind, Newell takes strength from her early morning practice sessions that she said have shaped her development.
"I always thought to be the best. I had to do something that no one else was doing. If I'm doing that, I'd be that little bit better than everyone else," she said.
