By Craig Beauchemin

Battlefords Sharks look to put tough 2015-16 season behind them

Mar 11, 2016 | 11:54 AM

After losing their leading scorer, team MVP and captain, the Battlefords Sharks seemed to dig themselves into a hole that took the entire season to climb out of.  

When the team won their first two games, it seemed the loss of Jetta Derenoski wasn’t going to be a factor. But after a 16-game losing streak and 3-23-2 final record, it was evident 2015-16 wouldn’t be their year. Head coach Ashley Rafuse said the poor season wasn’t for lack of effort. 

“We could have crumbled and died I guess you could say, but the girls stuck together, they kept working, they kept pushing,” Rafuse said. “But we had to be honest with each other; we’re not as deep as the other teams in the league.”

Rafuse believed because the team has struggled throughout the years, it’s had a damaging effect on their ability to secure top recruits. Players elect instead to play for teams who regularly contend.

“It was pretty low there for a while. I feel like the program dug themselves a hole and it’s very hard to get out of it. We’re doing everything we can possibly do. We’re out recruiting right at the beginning of the summer. We could talk to 20 top recruits, but only three or four say yes,” Rafuse said.

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If there was a bright spot for the Sharks this past season it was the play of their goaltenders. Shelby Tornato and Chloe Marshall placed first and second in the league in total shots faced. The three wins between the two didn’t deter scouts, as both goaltenders received scholarships to play hockey in the United States next season, Marshall at Northland College in Wisconson and Tornato at Minot State University. Defenceman Landry Derdall also received a scholarship to Red Deer College.

Rafuse hopes those scholarships will help them with recruiting in the future. While the Sharks have had troubles securing top players, Rafuse knows the biggest advantage they can offer over the top teams is regular ice time.

“You only get a few who understand that the more beneficial thing for their daughter or for them is to come to us and get time on the penalty kill and the power play instead of sitting on the bench for half the game,” Rafuse explained adding her players can play in all situations.

One of the top recruits they secured last season, Jordan Kulbida, ended up leading the team in scoring this season.

Rafuse is also looking for local talent. This past season, the Sharks had just two girls from the Battlefords, defenceman Morgan Lamontagne and forward Dakota Peterson, though they did have players from surrounding areas like Edam, Radisson and St. Walburg.

“I would tell people to keep their young girls in hockey and hopefully we can develop some local girls up,” Rafuse said. “I think that’s what’s going to change this program around, is being able to bring in more local girls, whether in the Battlefords or the surrounding areas.”