Article content Allie Munroe of Yarmouth attends the annual Coastal Female Hockey Development camp in her hometown. Photo by Tina ComeauArticle content“It’s been incredible, especially down in Yarmouth,” she said. “We run a girls hockey camp, Coastal Female Hockey (Development), and there’s probably 70 to 80 girls who come out and more on the waiting list. When I was growing up, I was one of maybe four girls playing hockey and I had to play with the boys.Article content“These girls have a lot more opportunities than I did growing up, and I’m happy that we get to be a part of that and hopefully help them grow as hockey players and people. It’s so cool just to see the growth of women’s hockey across the province. Hopefully the PWHL can inspire more young females to get into hockey and stay in hockey because it’s so much fun.”Article contentMunroe, who was drafted in the ninth round (50th overall) by Toronto in the 2023 PWHL draft, has been a physical presence and a leader for the Sceptres. A shutdown blue-liner noted for her physical play, the Sceptres assistant captain finished third among all league defenders in hits with 45 last season.Article contentArticle contentShe was the recipient of the PWHL Intact Impact Award, which honours one player from each team who best displays leadership, integrity and commitment.Article contentIt’s been nearly five years since Munroe last skated on the Scotiabank Centre ice. In April 2021, she was among 47 players who attended a week-long Team Canada selection camp in preparation for the IIHF women’s world hockey championship that was scheduled to be played in Nova Scotia the following month.Article contentBut just before the team’s last scrimmage, the players were informed that the tournament was cancelled for a second straight year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Article contentIt was also supposed to be the day that Munroe and her Canadian teammates would know if they made the cut. Instead, they packed their bags and headed home.Article content“I was really excited that the camp was in Nova Scotia, but obviously didn’t get to enjoy it as much as we would have liked,” Munroe recalled. “And then to get the news that the worlds were cancelled, obviously that was pretty devastating. I thought that would have been an amazing event in Halifax.Article contentArticle content“But to get on the ice in Halifax is always a privilege, and to try out for the national team was a privilege back then. I had a great experience minus the disappointing news at the end.”Article content Allie Munroe battles the Ottawa Charge’s Natalie Snodgrass during a PWHL game last season. Yarmouth’s Munroe has been a physical presence and a leader for the Sceptres. She finished third among all league defenders in hits with 45 last season. Photo by David Bloom /PostmediaArticle contentNext week’s Takeover Tour will include more than just a hockey game. Players from the Victoire will visit Ecole Mer et Monde in Halifax on Tuesday morning while some players from each team will take part in a community clinic with the Metro West Force later that afternoon.Article contentAlso on Tuesday, a panel that includes head coaches Kori Cheverie (Victoire) of New Glasgow and Troy Ryan (Sceptres) of Spryfield, Cole Harbour’s Alexis Miller, the PWHL vice president of hockey operations, Halifax’s Jim Midgley (Sceptres assistant coach) and Hockey Hall of Famer Caroline Ouellette (Victoire assistant coach) will be held at the Halifax Convention Centre.Article contentOn Wednesday morning, a Business of Women’s Sport panel featuring several PWHL dignitaries will also be staged at the convention centre.Article contentStellarton’s Blayre Turnbull, team captain of the Sceptres, will be among other Toronto players and coaches at the Pictou County Wellness Centre for a grassroot hockey clinic on Thursday. The event has already sold out.Article content“I think with the Takeover Tours, it’s not only important for us to obviously play the game, but to get in the community and get face-to-face with some of the fans in these communities,” Munroe said. “We obviously don’t come here often so we’re super grateful that we get the opportunity to do that.”Article content
Halifax an awesome market for Professional Womens Hockey League franchise
