Women’s Hockey
StFX’s Alex Normore can tell you with more certainty than most that hockey is her sport as there is little else the 19-year-old hasn’t tried.
“I swam competitively, played ringette, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball, basketball, field hockey, etc.” she says. “Although I loved playing all kinds of sports, I had an exceptional interest in hockey.”
Born in Calgary, Alta., Normore and her family moved to Bedford, N.S., when she was just 18 months old. She began her hockey career at age 6, playing on a boys’ team until the bantam level. She then played underage on the midget team until a new league was created in the province.
Normore says StFX has been in her plans since the very beginning. “I always wanted to go to X,” she says. “I remember going to the games as a kid and dreaming of playing with the X on the front of my jersey.” Growing up, Normore participated in several StFX hockey camps and fell in love with the school’s campus and facilities. The short distance between StFX and home also appealed to her.
“It was not too far, and it allowed my parents who were a huge part of my hockey life growing up to still be able to watch me frequently.”
She also had an older brother already at StFX with nothing but good things to report.
Normore has made quite a name for herself since arriving at StFX, earning such accolades as AUS most valuable player and being named an AUS first team all-star. Normore was also named the 2010-11 CIS rookie of the year, the award which she says she is most proud of.
“I had never received a national award before,” she says. “After having such an amazing year with the team and finishing with a silver medal, it really topped the year off.”
Normore’s coach, Dave Synishin, describes her as “an offensive player with a high hockey IQ. She is a playmaking centre who scores as well and has a very strong work ethic.”
This year, he expects he’ll continue to see great things from her. “She has been voted an assistant captain by her teammates which will add another dimension to her game,” he says. “I believe she deserves this and will lead by example this year.”
Synishin hopes a tryout with the national program will be in Normore’s future. He believes it is not only her skill, but her deep commitment, that allows her to be the player than she is.
Getting to know Alex Normore:
What has been your most memorable moment playing for StFX so far?
“Going into the gold medal game of nationals my first year. This was the first time any AUS team [had] ever made it and we had an amazing year with a perfect record up until that game. I couldn’t have asked for a better year as a rookie, individually and team-wise. The hype the girls had going into that game was incredible. I remember sitting in that dressing room getting ready and I can honestly say I’ve never had a feeling like that in my life!”
Do you have an early memory about playing hockey and learning to love the game?
“My first memory is from when I played Timbits hockey. I remember putting on my orange and black jersey and going out on the ice with little plastic skates and a Jofa helmet. I can’t say for sure how good I was, but I definitely loved being out there with the boys!”
Tell us one thing you think your friends, teammates and fans might not know about you.
“Before every game, I sit in seat number 16 before warm-up and listen to the 16th song on my iPod!”
Coach Synishin’s favourite memory of Alex, on or off the ice?
“We played a tough game at MTA in her first year that went into OT. Alex had the puck close to the left post and backhanded a shot under the crossbar on the far side to win the game. It was a goal that 95% of players could not score.” – StFX head coach David Synishin.
Follow Alex on Twitter: https://twitter.com/anorm16