Tanis Sibley has spent many hours of her life in hockey rinks, encouraging, supporting and cheering on her daughter Jessica.
Before most moms are ready to see their children off to post-secondary school, Tanis saw her daughter leave home in her early teens to pursue her hockey dreams in Weyburn for Grades 9 and 10 followed by Warner Hockey School in Grades 11 and 12, which led to Jessica’s entrance into the Syracuse Orange Female College Hockey program in New York.
The weekend of Feb. 19 was bittersweet as both Tanis and Jessica’s dad Kevin, knew it may be the last of their hockey homage, or it could be the start of something bigger taking Jessica once again away from home.
Syracuse Orange celebrated their senior players in a family weekend that included games, a banquet and celebrations. Tanis attended with her daughter Megan who now lives in Edmonton, Alta. Kevin flew in from the United Kingdom.
At the celebration, the coaches read out a list of Jessica’s accomplishments saying, “Jessica ranks top 10 in three major career categories in the Syracuse record book. Jessica is currently fourth in career points with 90, tied for sixth place in goals at 34 and tied for fourth in assists with 56. Jessica is also tied for fourth in career multi-point games with 19.
This Luseland native holds the single season record for the most game winners with six in the 2015-16 season. Jessica has 13 career power play goals, the fourth most in Orange history. Jessica was awarded the CHA scoring trophy and Best Defensive Forward at the conclusion of last season. She was awarded the Conference All Academic Team Award her sophomore year. She also earned Syracuse Scholar - athlete of the week on Sept. 26, 2016.
Jessica is a communications and rhetorical studies major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.”
There have been multiple proud moments for Jessica’s parents throughout her hockey career. Hearing Jessica’s hockey career highlights read at the senior celebration banquet was another one of those moments for Tanis, Kevin and Megan.
Jessica was thrilled to have her family in attendance, saying, “It was very special having my family here to share the weekend, because they are the reason I am here today and all their hard work and dedication put into my hockey career is indescribable.
“I was extremely happy I could score a goal each game for them on senior celebration weekend. It was truly special!”
Wearing number 7, the captain of this year’s Syracuse Orange squad knows it takes a a community of support for success. Jessica said she has appreciated the many messages of encouragement from Luseland throughout her hockey days. As with last year, playoff games will be featured at a community gathering, so folks can collectively cheer on one of their favourite hockey names. The team has a bye into the semifinals.
The story of the 20-year-old hockey player from Luseland is still being written. For now, the Sibley family are still focusing on this chapter with high hopes this will be the year Syracuse Orange will earn a championship to cap off a phenomenal four-year college run for Jessica.
