DORIAN GEIGER
Sports Editor

Hockey moms have always played a formidable role in the sport of hockey — sometimes to the point of sculpting a player’s drive and individuality.

Huskies women’s hockey player Kristen Bews is one of those athletes shaped by the influence of their mother.

“I have a tattoo of a butterfly with my mom’s initials in it on my foot. Behind it is a favourite quote of mine that says, ”˜Always remember the memories,’ ” revealed Bews, who plays defence.

Tragically, Bews’s mother passed away in the winter of 2003-04 after succumbing to a bout with cancer.

“It is just something that sticks with me in memory of my mom. She was always a big supporter of me and my brother and sister in all the things we did, sports included. Although she would always say, ”˜I don’t know where you guys get your athletic ability from — it must be from your dad,’ ” added Bews.

Years down the road, it is evident Bews’s mother is still a key source of inspiration. Now in her fourth year of eligibility Bews’s success is proven by the C stitched on her jersey. Performing the responsibilities of assistant captain in 2009-10, Bews was promoted to the team leader status this season.

And if you can’t attribute Bews’s success with the Huskies to her strong relationship with her mom, then surely her rugged, rural upbringing in the southwest Saskatchewan community of Eatonia is to blame. In a town known purely for their football and hockey history, it was the ideal setting for a female athlete to become introduced to what Bews terms as the “greatest sport in the world.”

Perhaps even more fitting in the history of her hockey career is the name of Bews’ hometown team — the Eatonia Huskies. The U of S and Eatonia amount to two of three places Bews has played hockey making her a truly loyal Dog. Bews played organized hockey against the boys from her entrance into grade four until grade 10 when she decided to travel to play on a girls team in Eston, a community close to Eatonia.

Overall, Bews’s Huskies are having a positive year. Presently sitting in fourth and only three points back on first place in the Canada West, the Dogs should be playoff bound in 2011 if they can continue what they started prior to the Christmas break. Bews is quick to point out her squad has made the playoffs for the past consecutive four years but is also adamant that the Huskies need to improve upon such a feat and make a serious playoff run.

Along with her teammates, Bews will have the uncommon opportunity to compete against the most decorated women’s hockey player in Canadian history, Haley Wickenheiser, in a few weeks. No, not a typo — Wickenheiser, believe it or not, is playing Canadian Interuniversity Sport hockey with the University of Calgary Dinos following her gold medal reception at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Upon the Dinos last visit to Saskatoon the Huskies were deprived of Wickenheiser’s presence due to her not making the trip for unknown reasons.

“We haven’t had the chance to play Hayley Wickenheiser yet. We will get our first chance at the end of January. I know with the announcement of her playing with the Dinos this year it has given us a little extra motivation in our series against U of C,” commented Bews.

Though the prospect of playing against someone who has moulded the dreams for so many Canadian women hockey players is exciting, Bews is prepared for business come time for the Huskies-Dinos series.

“She is an amazing hockey player and athlete — it will be very exciting to play against her. Of course we hope that we can come out with a pair of wins at the end of the series.”

The Huskies will travel to Calgary to battle Wickenheiser’s Dinos on Jan. 28 and 29. And before going on nearly a month long road trip the Huskies will entertain the University of Regina at Rutherford Rink on Jan. 7.

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image: Pete Yee