Sisters On and Off the Ice: Meet Alex and Lauren Barrett

After being inspired to join the game of hockey by her big sister, Alex, Lauren Barrett finally got the chance to play alongside her sister when she joined the CAPERS Women’s Hockey team in 2022. Now, three years later, the Barrett sisters and their team are hosting the Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Championship at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre, where they hope to take home the crown after a weekend of competition. 

Alex, a third-year Bachelor of Arts Community Studies student, started playing for Glace Bay Minor Hockey when she was just six years old and jumped at the opportunity to continue playing the game she loves with the CAPERS. “I love getting to meet and play with all of these girls,” says Alex. “Some of us have played together for years, but others are new to the Island. It’s such a great environment; everyone is competitive but so supportive of one another.”

Lauren, also a third-year Bachelor of Arts Community Studies student, began her hockey career at the age of five and couldn’t wait to join the CAPERS for the same reason. “This is my first year playing on the same team as my sister as we are 3 years apart in age,” Lauren says. “Growing up, I always looked up to my sister and I still do every single day; she truly is my biggest role model and my best friend. Being so young and watching my sister play hockey is what encouraged me to join the game and I’m so thankful I did.”

2025 marks the year that the newly renovated Canada Games Complex will reopen, a new dedicated location for the CAPERS to play, and the Home of Women’s Hockey on the Island. “Growing up playing boys hockey, I never thought I’d see a time where female hockey had grown so much,” says Lauren. “It makes me so happy to see the girls who play now or are just joining have everything we never had growing up; it truly is an amazing feeling and I am beyond excited for them.”

This weekend, the CAPERS are excited to host the 2025 ACHA Championship, where they will face off against Holland College and Acadia University. “This weekend is going to be amazing; there is so much going on behind the scenes that even we don’t know about, so I’m sure there’s going to be some thrilling surprises,” Lauren reveals. “Hosting this tournament and having all of the Blizzard girls come out to support us is so special. Women’s hockey is continuing to grow and to see the rink filled with all the girls this weekend is going to be a memorable experience.”

“We LOVE our team, we are such a tight-knit group, we have so much fun and are constantly laughing together, we’ve become very close,” adds Alex. “They truly are our second family, and we love every moment of playing with them!” 

For those looking to attend the tournament, tickets can be purchased at the door and are $10 for a weekend pass or $5 per game, with free admission for children under 12. Cape Breton University encourages the community to come out in full force to support these athletes and celebrate the future of women’s hockey.

The ACHA Championship is made possible with the support of sponsors including Cape Breton Hyundai, Protocase, Cape Breton Credit Unions, Subway, and Cape Breton Beverages.

For more information on the tournament schedule, visit cbu.ca/capershockey