Stoney Creek Sabres win 2023 Esso Cup

With a busy hockey schedule, it’s generally exhausting to steadiness different
actions. That’s why Fraser Valley Rush defender Jade Lore was additional
excited to have the ability to play in a highschool basketball event in
December 2021.

“I hadn’t been able to go to many games because of hockey,” Lore says. “I
acquired dressed, I didn’t really suppose my basketball coach would put me in,
however she did, so I performed.”

Unfortunately, because the then-16-year-old was operating down the courtroom, she tore
her ACL and meniscus in her proper knee—an damage that will in the end
sideline her for over 10 months.

“It was really hard,” Lore says. “I took it fairly tough as a result of I went
from taking part in hockey day by day, working towards it, to unexpectedly not doing
it in any respect.”

What made issues tougher for Lore was her staff was having a implausible
season within the British Columbia Elite Hockey League (BCEHL), finally
profitable the Pacific Region title to qualify for the Esso Cup, Canada’s
Women’s U18 National Club Championship, for the primary time in eight years.

Although it might have been straightforward to remain at house and be withdrawn throughout
the season, the Richmond, B.C., native stayed with the Rush each step of
the best way. She watched every observe, joined the staff at video games and even
travelled for tournaments, just like the 2022 Esso Cup in Okotoks, Alta.

“The entire expertise for me was each an incredible alternative that I’m tremendous
grateful for, but additionally a really robust one on the identical time,” Lore explains.
“It was at all times exhausting having to look at my staff play on such an enormous stage. I
would at all times wish to be on the market with them, however clearly I couldn’t. I
simply tried to be on the sidelines serving to them in any means that I might,
cheering them on.”

While Lore was supporting the Rush whereas they had been on the ice, her
teammates had been there for her off the ice.

“My staff is much less like a staff and extra like a household. They are all my
sisters,” Lore says. “They had been at all times checking in on me, […] they at all times
jogged my memory that I used to be nonetheless part of the staff regardless that I used to be off the
ice. That actually helped me. I believe that they helped me in an even bigger means
than I helped them.”

That assist was proven to Lore in quite a lot of methods. Her teammates would
assist her navigate when Lore was on crutches. If Lore was doing homework on
the bench, her staff would help her in getting caught up.

“If they noticed that I used to be down, they might make a joke or dance for me, do
no matter they might to make me snort, which was actually useful,” she says.
“If I didn’t have them, I’d be much more shut down and probably not need
to speak about it. My psychological well being wouldn’t be nearly as good as a result of they actually
did assist me by that entire course of.”

Throughout final season whereas Lore watched the Rush from the stands, head
coach Tony Lindsay had a reminder for her: “This will be you next year.”
After returning in the midst of November with a welcome again “rookie lap”
on the ice, Lore lastly had an opportunity to assist the Rush on their highway to the
Esso Cup.

“Tony did convey up how he wished to get us again in order that I might play, which
was very significant to me to see how badly he wished me to play within the Esso
Cup,” Lore says. “I’m super excited we’re going back.”

Although her return to the ice is full, her expertise recovering from
her knee damage helped her be there for her teammate, Emily Chan, when she
tore her ACL final October.

“Jade was injured and nonetheless recovering once I tore mine, so I had her to
watch video games with me and information me by the primary half,” the 15-year-old
Chan says. “It was very nice to listen to from her and see how she handled
this battle.”

“I was in her shoes,” Lore provides. “It’s very exhausting for anyone to encourage,
but additionally assist and discuss deeply concerning the damage in case you haven’t had it.

“I’m glad I could be there for her.”

Recovering from any damage isn’t just bodily—each athlete additionally has to
get better mentally. As Lore and Chan found, having a devoted assist
system of household, mates and teammates could make all of the distinction.

“It’s good having somebody you possibly can relate to, as a result of the factor plenty of
folks don’t perceive about this damage is that it’s a extremely robust
psychological sport greater than it’s bodily,” Chan says. “[My teammates] have
helped me quite a bit, and I don’t suppose I’d be the place I’m with out their
assist.”

“Like Tony was saying to me final yr, that is going to be [Emily] subsequent
yr,” Lore says. “She’s younger, so she’s nonetheless acquired quite a bit forward of her. I’m
happy with her progress. She’s doing good.”

Going by adversity like accidents proves the bonds made on the ice in
hockey will not be restricted to the rink. Those connections lengthen into each
side of a participant’s life, and gamers like Chan and Lore are grateful for
that assist from their second household.

“Without a doubt, hockey has helped me so much,” Chan says. “I believe the
better part about hockey is clearly the game, but additionally the those who
come together with it. That simply means a lot.”

“It just meant a lot how my team was there for me,” Lore provides. “I believe
that’s a very powerful half as a result of our staff is a household. We’re at all times
there for one another.”