OLDS — Ceder Thorburn, who grew up playing hockey in Olds and area, had one heck of a season this year, playing at the U18AA level for the Airdrie Lightning in the Alberta Female Hockey League.
During the league’s awards banquet late last month, Thorburn was named top scorer, having scored 16 goals and picked up16 assists for 36 points in 29 games. She was also named the league’s top forward and its most valuable player.
Abby Laporte, Thorburn’s coach in Airdrie, had high praise for her during the awards banquet.
“Ceder has an unreal character. She goes above and beyond for her teammates and everyone around her," Laporte wrote.
“Ceder showed true leadership this year. She is always the first to speak up in the dressing room, first to be there when someone needs her.
“Ceder is a true competitor and wants to ensure her team has success at all times. Ceder makes every drill count and her work ethic is through the roof.
“The impact she had this year speaks for itself. Aside from being the top point-getter, Ceder made everyone around her better.
“Matched up with two first-years, she showed them the way to success and they never looked back.
“Ceder is truly an unreal player and person because she truly cares about making everyone around her better. I am so proud and honoured to have coached her."
During an interview with the Albertan, Thorburn was asked why she thinks she had such a great season.
“I had a good support system, and my team always pushed me to do well; same with my parents,” she said. “I just set goals for the year and just worked my way up to get those goals.”
Thorburn can remember skating when she was about three years old “and then I just took off from there.”
She got interested in hockey after watching her brother Mannix play the game.
Thorburn says she plays a good two-way game; offensively and defensively.
“I'm good at puck protection, seeing the ice, my hockey, IQ,” she said.
She was asked if there’s anything she needs to work on.
“Oh, well, you can always improve on everything, but just getting stronger, I guess,” she said.
At age 17, Thorburn has one more year of eligibility in U18. She was asked what she plans to do after that.
“I'm still talking with some AAA coaches, but in a week or two, I'll decide where I'm playing for the next season,” she said, conceding that at that level, she’ll have to live away from home, billeting with a family.
Thorburn stands five-foot, two-inches tall and weighs about 115 pounds.
At the AAA level, the girls she competes with will likely be bigger and tougher than she is. Thorburn was asked how she intends to deal with that.
“Just my speed, making sure to just keep getting stronger,” she said.
