Lundar's own Rachel Halldorson has been working her entire life for an opportunity like this. 

The goaltender will be representing her province next week in Prince Edward Island at the 2023 Canada Winter Games as she suits up for Team Manitoba's U18 women's hockey team. Halldorson says she can't wait to show everyone what she's capable of.

"I'm very excited. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Halldorson continues. "It's quite amazing. It's an honour to have been chosen to play on this team and to represent this province."

Halldorson was named to the Team Manitoba roster back in November and says she's ramped up her training schedule to get ready for this national event.

"I've put all my work forward. I'm trying to train as much as I can with my goalie coach, and I've been working out on my off time," Halldorson explains. "I'm working on the mental aspect of everything to prepare myself to be ready to go and give it my all."

The Interlake Lightning product is one of just two goalies on the U18 Manitoba squad. She places fourth in the Manitoba Female U18 AAA Hockey League in total saves (477) and third in minutes (922). Halldorson has also been between the pipes for all four of the Lightning's wins this season.

While the goaltender has impressed many locally this season, this will be her first time to show off her skillset on a national scale.

"I'm really excited because I've never travelled for hockey on a plane," says Halldorson. "It'll be a new experience for me, so I think this will be a great chance for me to learn."

Halldorson says her main goal is to return home with a gold medal but notes she also just wants to prove she belongs.

"I just want to try to get my name out there a little bit more and play to the best of my ability. I want to show them what I can do and why I deserve to be on that team."

Team Manitoba's U18 female hockey team will be in action from February 27-March 5 at the Canada Winter Games.

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