There is a lot of action this month in arenas throughout the province as hockey and ringette play-offs and championship games take place.

Shae-Lynne Desautels is part of the Lorette team that won the Winnipeg Ringette League Championship this month and she says it has been great to return to a season of games and comradery.

“We really were looking forward to this season,” she says. “We didn't have one last year and we hashed out the details and realized that the last time we came this close to winning anything championship-wise was in 2014. We got silver in provincials. But since then, we've kind of been in a little bit of a drought. So, this year was super exciting for all of us.”

Desautels says it felt so good to get back to the rink this season and build on friendships throughout the team.

“I would say our team bonded really well this year,” she says. “We spent 16 games together and we did, I think, a pre-season game as well. And then we dropped down to the B side on playoffs because we lost our first game, so we had to play more games in playoffs, which I think just solidified our team and we were all just so grateful to finally have a season and play and you know, get our skates back on the ice.”

She describes her team as a “phenomenal group of girls” with players ranging in age from 18 years and up.

“We have girls that are twenty and girls that are in their 40’s,” Desautels says. She would like to see the sport grow in the Southeast, enough to make up a few more teams so they can play each other without having to travel as far.

Overall, she feels the sport is gaining momentum as more people consider playing or getting their children involved.

“In the fall time, they have the Come Try Ringette (event) and I think it's an amazing program that they offer for kids,” says Desautels. “Even little boys can come and play if they'd like. I think it really touches on team building because you have to pass over the line. You can't have a one man show run the team, right? So, it's a phenomenal sport and I think it's really picking up around here. There is another league in Winnipeg as well. I haven't played in that one yet, but I've just played the Winnipeg Ringette League ever since I started when I was 15. Prior to that I played hockey.”

Even though they have wrapped up the championship, Desautels hopes her team will get together soon for more ringette.

“We are hoping to be in the Roc Eastman tournament April 1st to the 3rd and that's happening right in the Steinbach arena,” she says, inviting people to check out the sport during the tournament.