By John Raffel
It’s not extremely rare for three siblings to be playing on a boys’ varsity hockey team at the same time.
But it is when one of them is a girl.
Parents Jeff and Anne Kea have had to do a little less driving to different hockey events this season because their two boys, Jack, a senior, and Eli, a freshman, are on the Mount Pleasant boys’
varsity team. Their driving lessened even more when their daughter, Natalie, a sophomore, decided to try out for the boys’ team and made it. Because of that, all three are on the same team for
the first time.
Natalie is the only girl on the boys’ squad.
“Natalie wasn’t on the high school team last year,” Jack said. But now she is, and the family is focusing on one team.
Natalie plays forward, as does Jack. “We have played on the same line,” Jack said. “But it’s not like a permanent thing.”
Natalie has played hockey for eight seasons but tried out the first time for the high school team. “I’ve played with guys the whole time,” she said. “I’ve always liked playing with the guys’ team
better, because it’s faster. Both my brothers are playing on the team, so I thought it’d be awesome to be able to play with both of them for once.”
It wasn’t automatic that she would make the team. But she couldn’t contain her excitement when she found out she would be on the roster. “I had to try out like everyone else,” she said. “It’s
been fun. The team is close. I don’t feel left out at all.”
She’s had some shots but hasn’t scored as of midway in the season. Her role is like any of the other forwards – trying to set up the scorers and take shots herself. She indicated she usually sees
at least a shift per game.
Jack has been impressed with his sister’s performance. “Natalie has been doing well on offense,” he said. “She knows her positioning and is not afraid.”
Natalie said she’s seen some contact but has been able to hold her own. She added that she’s happy with the way she’s been able to blend in with the team and be accepted by the other players,
both on her team and on the opposing side. Having siblings on the team has made it even more special.
Their parents, she said, have especially been excited over watching their sons and daughter play on the same team.
Eli is a defenseman, charged with keeping the puck away from his goalie, and has played with his brother briefly in the past. “Maybe like eight years ago, I played with my brother,” Jack said.
Both brothers say that it’s neat to have their sister on the same team. But Eli notes that it is rather unique hearing the coach say, while giving his entire team instructions, “OK guys…and gal….”
But he concurs with his brother, that their sister is talented and capable enough to play on the same team with them.
Eli found his comfort zone being a defenseman, rather than adopting the position that his two older siblings play.
With a girl and her two brothers on the roster, the Oilers are more than holding their own on the ice. Mount Pleasant has started out 13-4, and Natalie and her brothers are hopeful of helping
the Oilers have a productive off-season.
Jack is in his fourth season, but it’s been cut short because of an injured shoulder. He only played one game and said he won’t be returning this season.
“Last year, I injured it initially,” he said. “It was injured a couple of more times during the summer. The one game I played this season, it was injured again. I just can’t play anymore.”
He did have a chance to play with his siblings for one game. He centered a line with Natalie and Eli for a shift. But the shoulder injury was a disappointment.
Of his three previous varsity seasons, his junior campaign was Jack’s best. “I got more playing time,” he said. “Being an upperclassman on the team is always fun. You get more leadership role
put on you.”
He’s had a chance to watch his siblings at all the games and remains a part of the team.
Natalie acknowledges that she and Eli were disappointed that their older brother had his season cut short but were still happy to have him as a part of the team.
“I’m proud of them,” Jack said. “I don’t know defense very well. But Eli’s been holding his own.”