Small B.C. community welcomes international female hockey team

A collegiate school in B.C.'s East Kootenay region is starting up an international female hockey team, and a world champion Ukrainian hockey player will be at the helm. 

Purcell Collegiate School in Kimberley, B.C. has formed a U18 female prep program, intended for female players under the age of 18 that want to pursue a professional hockey career and post-secondary education. 

This fall the community of around 7,400 people will welcome athletes from the United States, Canada, Ukraine, Denmark, Hungary, and other locations across the world, to study and play in the community located around 200 km southwest of Calgary.

Duncan MacLeod, head of Purcell Collegiate School, says it's a win for everyone, providing opportunities for both the international players and the locals. 

"The benefit is significant, in terms of kids not having to leave, and then also the types of kids it brings in for our non-athletic students to study with," he told CBC News.

"We're trying to create opportunities rurally that are exceptional and distinguishing." 

Ukrainian world champion Valeriia Manchak-Jensen will be the head coach of the team. 

She played professional hockey in the U.S., led her Ukrainian team to gold at the IIHF Women´s World Championship Division III, and is a world champion boxer — all by the age of 27. 

A piece of cake!