By Josh Bell
It was a dream season in 2012 for Jennifer Gabel, and the 19-year-old ringette player now wants to carry it on in 2013.
Recently chosen as the city’s top ringette player at the Ottawa Sports Awards banquet, Gabel gathered a giant collection of gold last year. As a member of the Nepean Ravens U19 ‘AA’ team, she won a provincial championship, and she also earned gold with the Eastern Region Ontario Winter Games team, making her a two-time Ontario Champion within one year.
The Team Canada East captain also helped her country end a decade of dominance by Finland at the U19 ringette world championships, winning gold at that competition as well.
Her success did not go unnoticed as she wound up in Gloucester through the National Ringette League draft. As a Devil, she’s currently excelling in the league as one of the top rookies, sitting fourth in team scoring with 27 points in 20 games.
“I was an affiliate player for them in previous years, so I know the team really well,” notes Gabel, whose older sister Allison also stars for Gloucester. “It’s pretty awesome playing with them, and the year is going very well for us.”
Devils exorcise Ice curse
Third in their conference with a 14-4-2 record, the Devils are in the midst of a breakout year. They hold a three-point advantage over their long-time nemesis, the Ottawa Ice.
After many years of the Ice having the Devils’ number in every meeting, Gloucester at last beat Ottawa, 3-2 on home ice Dec. 22 at Ray Friel.
“We started off the season against them, and lost by a goal, then the next game we went to a shootout and lost. Finally, this last game we beat them,” Gabel highlights. “It felt pretty good. There’s a little rivalry there, even though we are all friends with each other. Everyone on the team felt great winning that game.”
Although the Carleton University neurosciences student’s main focus these days are her studies, she and her teammates are ready to step it up with playoffs and nationals just around the corner.
“I’m not ready to hang up the skates just yet,” Gabel smiles. “Our whole season is coming down to these moments. Everyone is getting excited, getting hyped up and getting more ice time.”