EXETER – When Carly Mercer heard the news, her initial reaction was to breathe a sigh of relief.
Then, understandably, she grew excited.
Mercer, an Exeter resident and South Huron District High School (SHDHS) student, learned recently she’s one of 20 players who will represent Canada at the IIHF World Women’s Under-18 (hockey) Championship in Chicago March 27-April 3.
She’d known for months the selection was possible, and had known phone calls were being made to inform other players of their selections, she said.
“I was a bit nervous for the last little while,” Mercer added. “It’s a great honour. I’ve worked really hard to be a part of this team, and I’m just really fortunate to be in that position.”
Mercer is one of the better female hockey players of her generation the Exeter area has produced, a member of the elite Bluewater Jr. Hawks club team and a standout with the SHDHS girls’ squad.
She was selected to a Canadian team that competed in an three-game series against Team USA in August, a series coaches used as a diagnostic for its world championship team selections.
Mercer also played in the 2009 National Women’s U-18 Championship, winning a gold medal with Team Ontario Red – another tournament coaches used as a proving ground for the world championship team.
Mercer said she’s unsure what her role will be on the world championship squad, but intends to fill it.
“I hope to play the role that they want me to play, and make sure that I execute everything that I need to execute well,” she said.
Team Canada has settled for silver in each of the last two world championships, bowing both times to Team U.S.A.
Mercer believes the outcome could be different this time around.
“I’m pretty confident that we have a good chance of taking the gold medal,” she said. “We have a very strong team and we’ve proven (recently) we can beat the U.S., who will be our main competition.”
Mercer said she leaves March 19 for a pre-camp in Toronto, then heads to Chicago for the start of the tournament.
Her selection to the national team leaves her ineligible to finish her high school hockey season – SHDHS was set to host and compete in WOSSAA Tuesday, after this edition of the Times-Advocate went to press.
“Playing for the national team is a great accomplishment, and it’s a really great experience and I’m really excited about it,” Mercer said.
“However, the (high school) still has a great chance to go to OFSAA this year. It would have been pretty awesome to be a part of that too.”
Mercer is set to graduate from SHDHS this spring and has committed to attend Clarkson University next year on a full hockey scholarship, according to father Brian.
“I chose Clarkson because it’s relatively close to home, it has a great hockey program, mixed in with the most important thing, which is strong academics,” Mercer said of the Potsdam, New York-based school.
Mercer said her major is undecided, but she’s leaning toward studying business.
“I’m just trying to keep my options open and make sure that I get a good education, which allows me to go in any direction I really can,” she said.