North Delta goaltender Rebecca Noble had a leading role in Team B.C.'s first-ever gold medal in female hockey at the Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island.
The 16-year-old Grade 11 student at Burnsview Secondary made 11 saves for her second shutout of the competition as B.C. capped an unbeaten run with a 3-0 win over Nova Scotia in Sunday’s gold medal game.
Noble started in all six games for B.C. that included a 21-save performance in Saturday’s 6-1 semi-final triumph over Quebec. A day earlier she turned aside 20 shots in a 5-0 victory against Manitoba. Earlier wins in preliminary play came against New Brunswick (3-2), Saskatchewan (11-1) and Quebec (2-1).
“This feeling is amazing. This is such a good group of girls and to finish the tournament like this is incredible,” said Noble. “I think we have really put (B.C. hockey) on the map out here. Even making the finals is a great experience. I think B.C. women’s hockey is just starting and taking off with a good future.”
Noble is the top goaltender in the B.C. Elite Hockey U18 AAA Female Hockey League with the defending champion and 2022 national runner-up Fraser Valley Rush. She has a 16-0-0 record so far this season with a 0.96 goals against average and five shutouts.
Recently she committed to the University of Windsor Lancers, starting in the 2024/25 USport season.
“As soon as I stepped foot onto the campus and into the rink a feeling of comfort washed over me and I knew that becoming a Lancer was the right choice,” said Noble. “I am ecstatic to continue my athletic and academic journey with the Lancers.”
Noble capped a four medal performance by Delta athletes, including three in the final week.
Earlier, Tasha Lai, 14, and her partner Mickey Becker-Pos of Vancouver won gold in the Pre-Novice Ice Dance. Lai got her competitive career start with the Sungod Skating Club before shifting over to the Champs International Skating Centre of B.C. in Burnaby.
Owen Hou, 14, won bronze in the team judo competition. He trains out of Peak Judo Club in Abbotsford under coach Cynthia Tan.
In week one, gymnast Makenzie Grant won bronze in the team competition. Grant, 16, trains out of the Langley Gymnastics Foundation under coach Janice Fowler. Teammate Lila Bulka of South Surrey, trains out of the Delta Gymnastics Society in Ladner.
Two other athletes came close to reaching the podium. Will Sharpe from Tsawwassen helped the Team B.C. finish fourth in the male hockey competition.
Curler Emily Bowles of North Delta also finished fourth in the mixed doubles event.
