Mad Hatters bring senior women’s hockey to Medicine Hat

Medicine Hat had enough interested players to support a team, helping pave the way for the league’s expansion.

Alex Fedosa, a player and co-manager with the Mad Hatters, said the opportunity has generated considerable excitement among local women who want to continue playing competitive hockey beyond their minor, junior or post-secondary careers.

“The growth in women’s hockey has been tremendous,” Fedosa said, reflecting on her own experience growing up in the region.

Born and raised in Redcliff, Fedosa said she played alongside boys for much of her early hockey career, with limited opportunities for girls during her youth.

The local hockey landscape has since expanded, with programs such as the South Alberta Hockey Academy, Medicine Hat Wildcats, the Irvine Bulldogs’ under-18 team and the Medicine Hat College Rattlers helping provide more opportunities for female players.

Fedosa said the arrival of a senior women’s team represents another step forward for the sport in the region.

“The senior women’s team is a new chapter for ladies that want to keep playing hockey,” Fedosa said.

The Mad Hatters will play a 12-game schedule in their first season, with the Lethbridge Chinook Riders and the Gull Lake Falcons serving as their primary opponents as the league establishes itself in Alberta.

The team aims to play six home games in communities surrounding Medicine Hat, with limited ice time availability in the city.

Four of the six home games are scheduled, including two in Bow Island and another two in Fox Valley.

Ralston Arena is being considered as a possible location for the other two home games.

The away schedule will include three games against Lethbridge in Standoff and three in Gull Lake.

The team hopes to expand its schedule and face more opponents as the league grows in future years.

Joining Medicine Hat and Lethbridge in the Alberta South Division are the Central Alberta Warriors, Foothills Fossils, and Calgary Summit.

Gull Lake is part of the South Saskatchewan Division.

The Mad Hatters open their season on Saturday, Oct. 17, with a 6 p.m. game against Lethbridge at the Blood Tribe Twin Rinks in Stand Off. The first home game, they host the Chinook Riders on Friday, Nov, 13 at the Bow Island Arena at 7 p.m.

Preparation for the season has been largely player-led. This has included limited practice ice and an exhibition against a men’s rec hockey team.

For many, playing on an all-women’s team is about more than competition.

It also provides a chance to build team chemistry and enjoy the social connections that come with playing the sport.

“You feel a bit more included because then you’re not changing in different rooms and you’re part of the team,” Fedosa said about not playing on a mixed team.

“You can kind of have the same team atmosphere as guys usually get. You can make jokes and get to know each other better that way.”

For players who have spent years looking for opportunities to keep playing, the new team offers a chance to return to organized competition close to home.

“It’s actually so awesome that I can get to play with the ladies again,” Fedosa said.

by Jesse Gill

Mad Hatters bring senior women’s hockey to Medicine Hat

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