4 hours Ago By Matt Packwood
Clair Merckx has channeled a lot into her young hockey career so far. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support.
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Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! Clair Merckx has channeled a lot into her young hockey career so far. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Clair Merckx has channeled a lot into her young hockey career so far. As one chapter concludes she’s hoping the next will bring more good favour.
The soon-to-be-grad of Boissevain School is coming off a heartbreaking end to her Manitoba U18 AAA hockey season, but she’s dealt with heartbreak in the past. Clair Merckx has played between the pipes for the Yellowhead Chiefs in a situation she says “became like a second family”. (Brandon Sun File) It may have even brought her to where she is now.
Merckx backstopped the Yellowhead Chiefs this season to a second-round matchup with the league’s top-seed Eastman Selects following a hard-fought first-round defeat of the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Chiefs lost three straight but all three games were close, largely due to the play of Merckx. She turned plenty of heads with her play all season long, and you can’t question her commitment.
Merckx started nearly every game for the Chiefs this year, driving nearly two hours each way to practice and home games. The near 200-kilometre commute for the past three years wasn’t initially by choice as it was a result of being released from the Westman Wildcats, but it ended up working in her favour. “When I got cut from Westman, (Chiefs head coach) Derek Tibbatts contacted us and asked if I wanted to try out,” said Merckx.
“It was a day after I got cut. I went up to Yellowhead and tried out. I made it to the second round of cuts, and we played against Westman.
” She ended up both making the Chiefs and an impact, as three years later she took the Chiefs on a deep run, and found a new family in the process. “It’s honestly been the best three years. I have never regretted it,” said Merckx.
After starting out her hockey journey at the age of six before moving to goalie in atom, Merckx credits fellow Boissevain product and goaltender Grace Glover as her role model and inspiration. The Canada West goaltender of the year with the University of Alberta Pandas is two years older, but the two skated together a lot in their younger days. Merckx is now hoping to follow in Glover’s footsteps and find success at the post-secondary level after committing to the Assiniboine College Cougars.
“I met DK (Cougars head coach David Kirkup) and all of the coaches were very nice and welcoming,” said Merckx. “Everyone I talked with said that it’s been a good fit for them, so yeah it seemed to click for me. I’m very excited to get started with Assiniboine.
” Merckx had been in talks with some coaches south of the border and had a few offers in the United States, but that didn’t really entice her. She couldn’t say no to the opportunity to stay close to home and have friends and family take in home games. After years of driving, the opportunity to finally play in the community she’s living in is simply a bonus.
To have that familial feeling is what she’s truly after. “When I went from Westman to the Chiefs, that was the biggest thing for me. It felt like family,” said Merckx.
“Growing with the Chiefs and how much that team became like my sisters is exactly why I knew I’d be happy going to another family with the Cougars.” Clair Merckx made 26 saves in a 1-0 shutout over the Brandon Wheat Kings in Game 4 of their Manitoba Female Hockey League U18 AAA quarterfinal playoff series. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun) Kirkup is pleased to welcome her too as he was impressed with her play on the ice, but even more so her resilience.
“When I first offered Clair a spot on the team I told her I had a lot of respect for her,” said Kirkup. “After getting released from a program due to numbers, she didn’t pack it in. She went to another region and excelled there and became one of the best goalies in the league.
It’s a glaring example of character but also to never give up on your dreams.” Kirkup is confident that she’ll not only bolster his lineup but also align with the core values the Cougars hockey program emphasizes. “We keep recruiting character people like Clair because our goal is to not only produce good players but also quality people that will benefit the community down the road,” said Kirkup.
It’s hard for Merckx to envision the next step in her journey when the previous chapter is just finishing up. The bitter end to her AAA season is starting to fade, but it’s hard to start thinking about the next step when the previous is still so fresh. Merckx was named MFHLU18 defensive player of the week after a dazzling week 10 performance against the Interlake Lightning and Winnipeg Ice, in which she posted a .
964 save percentage. In 30 games played this season she posted a 2.20 goals against average and a .
928 save percentage. Stats aside, she’s a competitor and tireless worker. “We had a younger team this year, so relying on each other and just working to keep the ball rolling in terms of growing as players,” said Merckx.
“When I look back now from how we started the year this year to where we are now, even though we lost in the playoffs, which sucks, but we believed in each other.” She’s confident the next step will be enjoyable, with the constant of goaltending guiding her. “Meeting new people, traveling all over and to new places, but mostly just playing hockey with a good program.
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