Styles invited to national camp
Friday May 16 2008
By Mike Rawn, Staff Writer
Candice Styles, shown playing for ODSS, has been chosen to attend the National Women’s Under 18 Strength and Conditioning Camp in Calgary.
After a stellar performance at November’s National Women’s Under 18 Hockey Championship, Candice Styles is one step closer to her goal of making the 2010 Canadian Olympic team.
Styles, 17, is one of 47 people that will attend the National Women’s Under 18 Strength and Conditioning Camp in Calgary, May 22 to 25. The top 20 players will be named to the Under 18 Canadian national team in August.
“I was a little surprised [to get the invitation], but I’ve worked really hard to get to this point,” Styles says.
Styles, who plays defence for her Mississauga Chiefs intermediate AA team, was used as a forward in the national tournament. That move paid off, as Styles was the leading point getter for Ontario, and was player of the game in the third game of the tournament. Styles set up the winning goal in the gold medal game against Quebec.
“That was the best hockey I’ve ever played,” Styles says. “It gave me a lot of confidence in myself. It was great to play with some of the top players in the country. And I think I showed how I can actually play.”
“Candice had a great tournament,” Team Ontario Red coach Steve Seguin said. “She really turned up her game. We wanted her out there for her intensity and her willingness to do whatever was necessary. We knew she’d create a lot of offence, what we didn’t expect was that she would be able to finish so well. So we were pleasantly surprised with that.”
As were the decision-makers at Hockey Canada, who identified Styles as one of the top 47 players in the country for her age group.
“I would say that every player at that [eight-team national championship] tournament has the desire to play for Team Canada,” Seguin says. “Obviously not everyone will get that opportunity. Hockey Canada views these players as the cream of the crop of grassroots hockey, and this is a chance to see if they can make the step up to the next level.”
The ODSS student has been busy preparing for the upcoming strength and conditioning camp. She does work on a skating treadmill, runs sprints every other day, and spends time in the gym working with a personal trainer.
“I’m so much stronger and faster than I was at the national tournament,” Styles says. “That gives me confidence that I’m ready for this.
“It is pretty nerve wracking, going to Calgary and competing with all of the top players. But this is the next step in pursuing my dream. I’m nervous, but I’m excited for the opportunity.”
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