Article contentTurnbull and Saulnier both played for Team Canada’s national women’s hockey and won a gold medal with the program at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The two have also represented the country at the IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship, winning gold with the club in 2021.Article contentIn the PWHL, Turnbull is currently the captain of the Toronto Sceptres while Saulnier is with the Boston Fleet.Article content“I think the biggest thing would be for them to have fun and for them to learn,” said Turnbull of her expectations for the camp. “Most importantly, I think it’s for them to know that there’s a future for them in hockey and I think Jill and I are proof of that and now with our league, the possibilities are endless.”Article contentLucy Phillips, who won a gold medal with Team Canada’s national under-18 hockey program in 2022, also joined Turnbull and Saulnier on the ice, working with the goaltenders.Article contentArticle contentAlong with her experience with Team Canada, the 20-year-old Phillips is also currently playing in Division 1 in the NCAA with Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, P.A.Article content“I always tell people to be a sponge and soak everything in you can,” said Phillips of her message to the players. “We want them to enjoy the experience, make lasting friendships and learning lessons that will only help them in their hockey careers moving forward.”Article contentPhillips, who’s been focusing more on coaching this summer along with her regular training, was looking forward to seeing the talent between the pipes on the island.Article content“I’ve been on the ice with different goalies this summer, some of them I’ve been on with before, but it’s exciting to see the calibre of goalies and what we can look forward to seeing in the future.”Article contentChristina Lamey, president of the Cape Breton Blizzard Female Hockey Association, said local players admire Turnbull, Saulnier and Phillips.Article contentArticle content“They follow them with their PWHL teams,” she said. “It’s great to have Lucy here this year too. She played for Team Canada and won gold at the world under-18 tournament, which Cape Breton will be hosting in January.”Article contentCape Breton female hockey players and fans will have lots to look forward over the next seven months. Along with the world under-18 championship coming to Sydney and Membertou, the 2026 Winter Olympics will also be played in February in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.Article contentThe Canadians will be defending their gold medals at both the under-18 tournament and the Olympics. In both events, the Canadians defeated the United States on their way to winning the gold medal.Article contentFor Zoey Baldwin, she’s looking forward, not only to the start of the new hockey season in the fall, but also the under-18 and Olympic competitions.Article content“It’s going to be fun to watch and see all the stars,” said Baldwin. “Hockey is growing so much and so fast for girls, it’s amazing to see and amazing to be part of in Cape Breton.”Article contentThe Turnbull and Saulnier camp was expected to wrap up on Sunday morning in Membertou.Article content
Its exciting to be on the ice with them: Next generation of Cape Breton stars learn skills and experiences from professional womens hockey players
