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BY DONNA SPENCER ALIFAX — It’s been a few years since Delaney Collins played for the Canadian women’s hockey team on the world stage. The 26-year-old defenceman from Pilot Mound has played in one world championship for Canada, when it was held in Mississauga, Ont., in 2000. When Canada opens the 2004 women’s world hockey champi onship against China in Halifax today, Collins will be a relative rookie on a squad where many of the players have a few consec utive world championships and a couple of Olympic Games under their belts. Of the few players who have moved in and out of the world championship lineup over the years, her absence has been the longest. “It does feel like awhile,” Collins said. “I feel extremely fortunate to be playing in Canada and have played in Canada before. I know what to expect.” After getting a taste of the big time in 2000, she was not named to either world championship team the following year, nor to the Olympic team in 2002. “I knew that I had a choice,” Collins said. ‘‘I could either quit and say ‘forget it’ and give up or I could work harder and make it that much more rewarding when I do get back on the team. “I wouldn't change anything. It’s made me a stronger person and a better person.” Canadian head coach Karen Hughes wants more offense from her team and Collins is part of that equation. “I think she brings that ability,” Hughes said. ‘‘She’s a pretty deceptive player, she moves the puck well and she’s got great speed, so she brings that to our defensive group.’ Regaining a spot on the Canada’s world championship team validated the work Collins put in. “I know what I need to do to be here,” she said. “I’ve been committed. I’ve made some changes and tried to stay extremely positive throughout the tryout process and really get to know myself and push my limits and do what I can to help this team. “It was difficult in the past, but this year I tried to just trust my abilities and know that mistakes are going to be made. You can learn from them.” In her first season with the University of Alberta Pandas this past winter, the five-foot-three, 130-pound Collins played mostly at forward towards the end of the season, which has helped her skills on the blueline. “Now when I get the puck on defence, I’m used to having it on my stick,” Collins explained. “I feel very comfortable with the puck because I’ve been around it a lot as a forward. ‘When I do jump into the play, I’m not hesitating as much.” Collins had 12 goals and 24 assists in 13 games with the Pandas. /CP COLLINS CANADIAN PRESS Canada’s Danielle Goyette, left, poses for teammate Gina Kingsbury dur ing a photo session Monday in Halifax. The women’s worlds begin today. no. MEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP At Halifax and Dartmouth, N.S. Group A GP W T GP GAPts 0 0 000 0 0 000 0 0 0 0 0 Group B GP W T GE GA Pts 0 0 0 0 Switzerland 0 0 0 0 US. 0 0 0 0 Group C GP W T GE GA Pts 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Games Switzerland vs. U.S. , 3 pan China vs. Canada, 7 p.m. Japan vs. Sweden, 5 p.m. Russia vs. Switzerland, 3 p.m. Germany vs. China, 7 p.m. Finland vs. Japan, 5 p.m. U.S. vs. Russia, 3 p.m. Canada vs. Germany, 7 p.m. Sweden vs. Finland, 5 p.m. Saturday, April 3 to Monday, April 5 Tuesday, April 6 Bronze Medal Game, 3 p.m. Gold Medal Game, 7 p.m.
Newspaper Details
Brandon Sun
Brandon, Manitoba, CA
Tue, Mar 30, 2004
Page 18
Full Page
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Manitoba H.
CA 18 Aug 2026
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