Glace Bay Minor Hockey Association has had a positive impact on the women’s hockey team at Cape Breton University.
Five girls, Rebecca MacDonald, Anna Campbell, Jennifer Cook, Nellie Edwards ,Miranda Tutty and Miranda MacIsaac are Glace Bay and area girls who suit up with the CAPERS. Other girls on the CAPERS team to come through the Glace Bay Minor Hockey Association are Rebecca Leforte - New Waterford , Emily MacKinnon  Sydney Mines  and Catherine Arseneau - Sydney River  .
“We have always considered Capers Athletics to be a strong supporter of women’s sports at both the varsity and club level,” said John Ryan, CBU Director of Athletics. “There has been sustained success at the varsity level and with women’s club hockey I feel we have provided an opportunity for 15-20 more student-athletes to compete in a university setting.”
“Women’s hockey has enjoyed tremendous growth nationally and I believe you see that same type of growth here at CBU where our team has developed into a competitively recognized team throughout Atlantic Canada.”
Keith LeLievre, of Sydney a member of the Cape Breton Sports Heritage Hall of Fame is a member of the CAPERS coaching staff.
Coach LeLievre said the girls come to the rink excited and ready to play. He said even though the CAPERS are a club team and not varsity they like getting to play in tournaments against the other universities.
“They get to travel as far away as Montreal and as well they get to play all over the Maritimes, “said LeLievre who played for UNB in his university playing days before moving to the WHA with the Chicago Cougars.
 “Our next major tournament is in Wolfville at Acadia . In February we will be at the University of New Brunswick tournament in Fredericton and we host our own event in March. The long bus rides allow for a unique bonding experience that most have not enjoyed previously. As well, the competition is fierce and the intensity level brings out the best of their skills.”
LeLievre said the CAPERS play a number of games against the Midget “AAA” Eagles as well as against a senior team from the Northside.
“In addition, most of our players on the roster play with at least one of the local female teams,” said LeLievre who is assisted in the coaching of the CAPERS by Frank Wludyka a member of the 1978 National Champion UCCB Men’s hockey squad.
Another member of the CAPERS staff is Elaine Swartz, a retired nurse who acts as trainer, athletic therapist and counsellor.
Coach LeLievre said that coaching women is a special experience.
 “One of the gratifying aspects of coaching women as opposed to men is the willingness of the girls to try and execute everything that you suggest to the absolute best of their ability as opposed to men who have any number of issues and influences that appear to distract them at times,” said LeLievre.
 “And because some may not have experienced a lot of coaching in the past, they and we can see an almost instantaneous improvement in their play with a few basic suggestions or systems.”
LeLievre added, “The girls are also very polite and not at all rough around the edges as is the case on some boy’s teams. In short a very rewarding experience.”
The CAPERS Women’s hockey squad is a club team and not at the varsity level as yet.