Amelia Theriault and Ashley Cowley both have a bright future in the sport of hockey.
The girls will have a chance to showcase their skills and vie for spots at the USA Hockey national camp when they take part in Selects Weekend in Northford, Conn. March 24-26.
Theriault is from Presque Isle and is a sophomore at Kents Hill School after transferring from Presque Isle High School last year, while Cowley is a freshman at Easton High School.
Both participated in New England team tryouts last fall. Theriault made the cut out of a field of over 100 trying out and is one of just six players from Maine and 45 from New England who were selected. Cowley competed against nearly 200 others in her age group and is one of eight Maine players and 30 from New England making the team.
At the Selects camp in Connecticut, both Theriault and Cowley will be evaluated on and off ice, in the classroom and in physical fitness and other training, with the goal of being selected for the USA Hockey National Camp set for July in Minnesota, and ultimately for the US National Team by birth year.
Both Theriault and Cowley have previous experience on the New England select team.
“Now that [Amelia] has a better understanding of the process from last year, she feels that she is better prepared to make a serious run at a national camp spot,” said her father, Donald.
Those not selected into the national camp will still be eligible to attend New England Selects camp this summer. It will be held at St. Anselm’s College in Manchester, N.H. in June.
Theriault plays hockey at Kents Hill and her father said although the team struggled to win games, the experience was invaluable as opponents featured high-level players, including an Olympic team prospect.
Cowley just completed her final season in the Presque Isle Youth Hockey Association on the Bantam A team under coach Doug Carlisle. Cowley’s father, Dave, said his daughter is considering either attending preparatory school this fall or remaining at Easton High School and playing AAA hockey in Fredericton, New Brunswick next winter.
