A student-athlete from Shawnigan Lake School is one of 21 girls from across Canada who have been selected for an elite program created by Scotiabank, Hockey Canada and the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association.
Arnica Bulmer, a Grade 10 student from Whitehorse, Yukon, was picked for the under-15 Scotia Rising Teammates program, based on her outstanding play, leadership and teamwork on and off the ice. The program pairs her up with a PWHPA player for a once-in-a-lifetime four-week mentorship.
Born in Dawson City, Bulmer starting skating when she was two and playing hockey when she was four. At just 10 years old, she made the U18 Female Mustangs team in Whitehorse, and also played on the boy’s bantam team in the Yukon, travelling to play against boys teams in the AAA league in B.C. She came to Shawnigan Lake School last year and has been working closely ever since with coach Carly Haggard.
“I was shocked when I was told I was one of 21 players in Canada chosen for the Scotiabank Rising Teammates Mentorship Program,” Bulmer said. “I remember crying happy tears, whilst trying to figure out how this all came to be. I still don’t fully comprehend why I was chosen, but I think I owe a lot of it to Carly and the Shawnigan coaches who nominated me for this incredible opportunity.
“The growth of women’s sport, and women’s hockey, is something I am very passionate about. One of my goals when I go back home is to help women’s hockey up north continue to grow. To have an opportunity where I get to be mentored by professional female hockey players who I look up to is really a gift. It’s a great promoter of women’s hockey, and it’s a great push to make hockey more inclusive for everybody. I hope that I can take what I learn through this experience and give back. If I ever have the opportunity, I would love to say thank you to all of these athletes, such as Marie-Philip Poulin, Sarah Nurse and Brigette Lacquette and Hayley Wickenheiser, who have paved the way for women in hockey. There’s still more to do, but without these women fighting for women’s hockey, we wouldn’t be where we are today in the sport. I am grateful every time I step out on the ice.”
For more information about the Scotia Rising Teammates Mentorship Program visit https://www.scotiabankgirlshockeyfest.com/