Hockey standout Alana Chenard of Falher has been selected to the Peace zone girls’ hockey team than will compete at the Alberta Winter Games from Feb. 14 to 17 in Leduc. Playing defence on the Smoky River boys’ bantam team in her second year, Chenard, 14, was recently named from a selection process. “The competition was tough, so I’m very excited to be selected,” says Chenard, now playing in her ninth year of minor hockey. “This is an exciting opportunity to gain recognition for a chance to be selected to the under-16 and under-18 Alberta teams.” “I also want to find out where I fit in with girls’ hockey,” says Chenard who has played on boys’ teams for many years. She wants to use this experience as a springboard to further her career. “I am hoping to play on the first line,” says Alana. She has also played on girls’ teams in Grande Prairie and Fort St. John. “I enjoy the aggressiveness of boys’ hockey since there is no body checking in girl’s hockey,” says Alana. “This has made me a better hockey player.” “My coaches this year have taught me some important skills which have improved my skills.” Alana is one of the top players on the boys’ team. “Alana is a good all-around player, and she’s easy to coach,” says Greg Gauchier, head coach of the Smoky River bantam team. “Alana is very reliable defensively and she’s not out of place playing with the boys.” “Actually, she excells on the boys’ team and her best asset is her skating abilities.” Two other local people are on the team, with team trainer Tania Ouellet of Tangent and Carmen Lunn of Tangent as director of operations.