Leaving The Pack

When travelling through deep snow, packs of wolves will travel in single file in order to conserve energy as the lead wolf cuts a path through the snow for the rest of the pack to follow. While some believe that the first three wolves at the front of the pack are the old or sick with them setting the pace, this is nothing more than a myth when it comes to how wolfpacks move, and it makes more sense to have stronger, fitter wolves at the front to meet any threats head-on as opposed to being back of those who would require assistance. In knowing this, one of the strongest wolves had her announcement made today as Saskatchewan Huskies forward Abby Shirley has decided that she's moving on from the game, and the Huskies women's hockey program loses a key player from their pack.

Abby Shirley was a force to be reckoned with on the ice as the 22 year-old dynamo was in the middle of every scrum, usually emerging with the puck for a quality scoring chance. She was usually a blur along the wing as the fourth-year forward could fly down the ice, and her speed helped her remain defensively responsible in the Huskies' scheme. She was coachable, she always seemed to be smiling no matter what the situation was that she found herself in, and she was a good teammate who helped the younger players while being a key contributor as a veteran player. Losing Shirley, who has one year of eligibility remaining, leaves a large hole on the Saskatchewan roster for next season after getting her degree and opting to move on.

It's hard to nail down just one or two things that Shirley does well. Her hat trick in Game One against the Bisons this season in the opening round of the Canada West Playoffs w is proof that she can fill the net, but she's so much more than that as she's a fierce forechecker, she plays extremely well in her own zone, she has soft hands when it comes to shooting and passing, and she is exceptionally strong on her skates. She had five goals and four assists in 18 appearances this season, finishing her four seasons with 17 goals and 20 assists in 91 contests while helping Saskatchewan to a pair of National Championship appearances where they finished in fourth- and third-place.

While there are candidates on the Saskatchewan roster who can step in and take Shirley's spot, I'm not sure the Huskies will ever have another Abby Shirley skating for them. Losing her and Bailee Bourassa in this offseason means a large chunk of the Huskies' offence will need to be replaced, and there will be a leadership void for a few weeks before someone steps up to claim those opportunities. No one is asking anyone to replicate what Shirley did (nor Bourassa for that matter), but the Huskies will have to find someone who can wear letters while hoping that those players can turn excellent leaders and solid, well-rounded players like Shirley and Bourassa.

It's always hard to see good players leave before they fulfill the full amount of eligibility available to them, but I can't deny that life moves on and time waits for no one. Abby Shirley is taking the plunge into the next chapter of her life, and there's no fault in her doing that. It just sucks to see that her time on Canada West ice is coming to a close so soon when we lost a full year to the pandemic. I have no doubt that Shirley has made the decision for her, though, and that's the most important part of this equation.

I wish nothing but the best for Abby Shirley as she begins the next chapter of her life away from Canada West hockey. She's going to be successful in whatever she does no matter where she lands because she's just a good person, and I've always found it hard to cheer against good people. She may be out on her own now, Abby Shirley is one lone wolf who will never walk alone thanks to the impact she had on her teammates, her coaches, and the city of Saskatoon who embraced her as a player and eventually became one of their own.

All the best, Abby. I hope this isn't the last time we see you dominating on the ice!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!