As the Carleton Ravens rookie class of 11 players looks to carve a winning legacy, one of its shining stars is Sidney Weiss. Raised in Sarnia, Ontario, Weiss starred for the Midget AA Sarnia Junior Lady Sting. Highly accomplished, Weiss would help the club capture four tournament gold medals in 2010-11, the 2012 Pittsburgh Penguins Elite Thanksgiving Classic a Midget AA championship in 2013.
Having made the decision to major in the journalism program, Weiss was certainly a highly touted recruit. In reflecting on her decision to depart Sarnia and begin a new chapter in her hockey career, change emerged as a key theme,
“Sarnia is a small town. The hockey association there is good. I wanted to get into another city and experience it. When I visited the campus at Carleton University, everything is all close together and it is easy to get around. There is a coaching staff, which was a big factor. The facilities for athletes are great.”
Having made her Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) debut on October 18, 2014 against the cross-town rival Ottawa Gee-Gees, Weiss would go on to log her first career CIS point in the game. Of note, it would prove to be memorable as she earned the assist on Sadie Wegner’s game-winning goal in the second period.
The first goal for Weiss would come on November 2, in a hard-fought 4-2 road loss against the Concordia Stingers. Scoring on the power play against Briar Bache, Tawnya Guindon earned the assist on the milestone goal for Weiss.
This season, Weiss has not only led all rookie skaters on the Ravens in scoring, she has ranked in the Top 5 in team scoring, respectively. Definitely in the conversation to be considered for a selection to the RSEQ All-Rookie Team, Weiss is very humble about her breakout season,
“I did not expect to come in and be producing as I was. I have believed in hard work throughout my life and it has elevated my game.”
Playing on a line with Tawnya Guindon, the two have shown remarkable chemistry on the ice, providing the Ravens with a highly potent scoring attack. A third-year player from Clarence Creek, Ontario, Guindon’s perseverance and powerful shot have complemented Weiss’ strong play-making abilities.
“I have stuck with my buddy Guindon. She always pushes me to be the best player I can be and I thank her for that.”
Of note, the Ravens season has provided some other memorable moments for Weiss. A series of exhibition games introduced Weiss to an exciting level of competition. The first series featured the Ravens facing off against the Montreal Stars, one of the CWHL’s charter franchises. The club features several competitors from the Sochi Winter Games, only adding to the experience. As a side note, Ravens first-year head coach Pierre Alain served on the Stars coaching staff during the 2012-13 CWHL season.
“It was very cool. The Olympic players are why you grow up dreaming of becoming a hockey player, The opportunity to play against them was a dream come true.”
During the holiday season, the Ravens traveled to London, Ontario to participate in a two-game set versus the Canadian Under-18 national women’s team. Once again, there was another proud connection to Alain, as he served as the program’s head coach in 2011-12, winning gold at the 2012 IIHF U18 Women’s Worlds. Weiss would score the Ravens’ lone goal, unassisted, in the second game of the series, a 5-1 loss, with Ravens backstop Tamber Tisdale facing 61 shots.
“Playing the U18 team was a cool experience because I did try out for those teams (in past years). It was great that we could play at their level and that I was able to score against them.”
A few days afterwards, Weiss had an opportunity to give back to the Ottawa sporting community. As one of 19 Ravens players to participate as an instructor to help young female hockey players at the Novice, Atom and Pee-Wee levels develop their skills, she was also joined by several members of the Gee-Gees roster. In addition, it was a chance for Weiss to pay homage to one of her biggest hockey influences from her youth.
“Growing up, I was a big fan of Cassie Campbell. She came to Sarnia a lot. We did the ScotiaBank Hockey Fest this year at Canadian Tire Centre with her as an instructor. The whole team volunteered and it was great.”
In the final month of the season, Weiss would participate in the Ravens’ fourth annual Do It for Daron fundraiser, honoring the life of Daron Richardson, who lost her life to mental illness. With Weiss having also lost friends to mental illness, it was a contest that she was proud to compete in, while paying tribute to the memory of her friends.
Poised to become a future fan favorite with the Ravens faithful, Weiss will surely be a key component in the program’s resurgence. Having logged a point in every win that the Ravens have experienced this season, fans can only hope for more points and more wins in the seasons to come.
“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”
Photo credit: Carleton Ravens athletics
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