It was an unexpected phone call – but one she’ll remember for a long time.
“I was pretty excited,” said Oil Caps Canadian Athletic Therapy certification candidate and equipment manager Hailee Dayman, who recently received word she would be a part of the World Junior A Challenge Team Canada West selection camp staff. “I didn’t know anything about it, so it was a pretty awesome surprise.”
Dayman, who joined the Oil Caps this past offseason, is currently in Calgary as the guest equipment manager during the Canada West selection camp, which began Dec. 2. The camp consists of four days of practices and games as part of the evaluation process.
“Being in this position for only a few months with the team, I didn’t think I would’ve been noticed to have this opportunity,” Dayman said.
The Estevan, Sask. product says she’s going to take this opportunity to learn the ropes and is hoping to return to the staff next year in a lead role.
“I’m also going to be networking with other staff members within Hockey Canada and getting to know how things work here,” she added.
Jamie Hodson, director of business and hockey operations for the Oil Caps, says it’s a well-deserved opportunity for Dayman, who has fit in well with the Oil Caps organization.
“Hailee has done a great job for our team. She’s a first-class person too.”
Dayman isn’t the only Oil Capital at the camp. She joins blueliner Justin Lee, who is currently vying for a roster spot on Team Canada West.
“Being selected means a lot to me,” said the Waskada product in a recent interview with oilcapshockey.com. “I’m honoured to be part of this camp roster.”
The camp includes 60 invitees in total. The players were selected from the CJHL’s five western junior A leagues: the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), and Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL).
The World Junior A Challenge, which also includes a Team Canada East squad as well, gets underway Dec. 10-16 in Truro, N.S.