Niverville’s ‘Clutch’ heading to York University

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This article was published 21/12/2023 (809 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

by CASSIDY DANKOCHIK

Eastman Selects head coach Todd Mason has no shortage of praise for Ginger Fast, the latest player from the program to commit to play at the next level.

“(Fast) is going to be a gifted goal-scorer, that really has a nose for the net,” Mason said after a 2-0 victory over the Winnipeg Avros.

“She can put the puck in the net. Her nickname to me is ‘clutch,’ because I put her out in the last two minutes and she finds the back of the net.”

Niverville’s Fast has committed to the York University Lions, making her decision after visiting the campus during a recent tournament trip to Brampton, Ont.

“I had to go see it for myself first,” Fast said.

“And meet a couple of my (future) teammates and meet the coach and see what his team was all about, and I liked everything he said.”

The York Lions women’s hockey team is led by Dan Church. He said he was thrilled to pick up Fast, and expected her to immediately make an impact when she joins the team next season.

“She has a great skill set and has a way of making things happen in front of the net,” he said in an email.

“I really like her offensive creativity and think it will be a great addition to our team and complement the players we have on our current roster.”

Mason said York will receive a player that brings more than just outstanding talent.

“When you open the door and you get that same consistent play from a player, new players, see that and want to be that,” he said.

“It creates a culture here that you want to wrap your core around… It’s been fantastic, we’re going to miss her.”

For Fast, the opportunity to join a strong USports program and skate across from top competition was in the OUA East division was too good to pass up.

“You want to go somewhere where you’re actually going to play and develop and get better,” Fast said.

“I just loved the coach, loved the players, everybody was nice. I thought it was the right decision for me.”

Fast was also quick to credit her teammates for allowing her to thrive as a goalscorer this year. A post-secondary decision isn’t stopping her from aiming high with the Selects either.

“I’m hoping that my team and I could win it all,” Fast said.

“That’s what we’re driving to. (I’m going) to play my season like I normally would, no matter if I’m committed or not.”

Mason echoed those thoughts, noting the Selects could be poised to make a long playoff run this season.

“This year, we definitely come to play,” he said.

“Every game is a grind. Anybody can beat anybody in this league on any day, but our girls are putting together a consistent run.”

Eastman are 4-1 in their last five league games, and are coming off a strong tournament run in Ontario.

“We’re hard to play against, we’ve been told that over and over now, and it’s evident on the ice,” Mason said.

“We’ve got three lines that roll, and our forecheck is hard to play against, and we’ve got a lot of talented scorers.”

The Selects will round out their home schedule with a back-to-back on Dec. 22 and 23, including a match-up in Niverville against the Westman Wildcats at noon on the 23rd.