Roughly a month after the Peoria Rivermen announced they were cutting her from their roster after just two games of the season, a move that shocked the hockey world, Shannon Szabados is playing hockey again.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist, IIHF Women’s World Championship gold medalist, and five-time Women’s Four Nations Cup Champion took the cut in stride, posting the following tweet:
Thanks to everyone for the support!
Just over here wanting to have fun playing a silly game called hockey! Thats all 🙂 #itsjustagame #calm— Shannon Szabados (@ShannonSzabados) October 27, 2016
But still, many were left wondering what was next for the decorated tender. Now, the answer was given: she’ll be joining the Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs of the Chinook Hockey League (ChHL).
The announcement came from the team late Saturday night via Twitter, with the following:
BREAKING NEWS: The Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs are proud to announce the signing of goaltender Shannon Szabados!
— Fort Sask Chiefs (@FtChiefsHockey) November 20, 2016
From Illinois to Alberta: a briefing on the Chinook Hockey League
The ChHL is the a senior AAA league. It’s very small, boasting only five teams: the Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs, Rosetown Red Wings, Innisfail Eagles, Lacombe Generals, and Stony Plain Eagles. It’s Alberta’s longest-existing senior hockey league, and Canada’s second-oldest league. Teams play for the chance to represent Alberta to play for the Allan Cup, or what is the equivalent to the Stanley Cup/Calder Cup/Clarkson Cup/Isobel Cup in national senior amateur men’s hockey in Canada.
Where the Chiefs are now and the impact Shannon can make
Founded in 2003, the Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs play in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., just outside of Edmonton. They currently have a 1-5-0-0 record. That’s … that’s not good at all. However, they have a small advantage because they play fewer games. There’s a chance to turn it around. Take into account Shannon’s record, her knowledge of the game, and the experience she brings, and they could turn it around very soon.
We’ll see her in a Chiefs uniform right away, but it could be a bit of time before we see her take the ice for them. They’ve announced she will be in the lineup at their next game, Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. at the Chiefs’ home rink — Jubilee Recreation Centre — but she will not play.
