WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Hockey Manitoba U18 Female team roster has included Danika Botterill and Oceane Asham of Portage La Prairie for the upcoming season. They will be representing the National Championship in 2021.

Botterill expressed her enthusiasm, saying that she was speechless when she found that she had been selected. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions, she hasn’t been able to play for a while. She is ecstatic about her former teammate Asham making it to the squad.

“It will give me someone to talk to and make it easier to get adjusted,” she said.

It is reported that Botterill will be a main member of the Central Plains U18 Capitals. The try-outs had been going on for some time in September.

Asham completes her final and third year at the Balmoral Hall, Winnipeg.

Botterill and Asham will continue practicing with Team Manitoba even as they prepare for nationals in Dawson Creek, BC from Oct. 31 to Nov. 6.

Both Danika Botterill and Oceane Asham, apart from playing together, are excited to be traveling together after a very long time. They had been a hardworking pair and are now looking forward to seeing some famous hockey stars cheering for them.

Jennifer Botterill, former Team Canada standout, World Champion, and sports broadcaster, is the cousin to Danika’s father. Arron Asham, who played 789 games in the NHL, is Oceane Asham’s father.

The Female U18 Program Rules include: The U18 athletes are chosen by the U18 Coaching staff from both Hockey Canada and Hockey Manitoba. The players should have been born between Jan. 1, 2004 and Dec. 31, 2005. The athlete has to be registered with a program of Hockey Manitoba.

The WWHSHL participants are eligible for the Female Program of Excellence.

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