The 2016 Queen City Roller Girls season saw the Alley Kats get off to a quick start which culminated in their best season since 2011. Prior to 2016 they had suffered a long string of losses on the scoreboard but starting with the 2014 season, they began a team rebuild with their sights set on a championship. Their luck changed immediately in the first game of 2016 against the Devil Dollies (164-161) and they rolled to a season finish with a 4-2 record. They secured first place and a first round playoff buy that took them straight to the QCRG Championship game which, after one of the most nail-biting games of the season, saw them fall one point short of claiming their first championship.
Offseasons often lead to changes and this past summer left some big skates to fill. Key departures from the team this offseason were Ashes t’ Ashes, who was the team’s highest scoring jammer with 384 points last season, and Ana Killingspree, who was the Kat’s 2nd leading blocker by playing in 52.2% of the team’s jams. T Wrecks and Arti Choker also retired from playing with Arti staying on with the Kats as a coach.
Despite these key absences, the Kats have a talented group of skaters joining the team for next season. Returning from retirement is Bang GrrrRang who is joined by new skaters acquired in the draft. These new faces are Bilbo Bruisins, Ferga-Vicious, Necromatrix, Veggy Cowgirl, and Sara Lee. Bilbo and Veggy honed their skills last season on the Subzero Sirens while Sara Lee spent time on the Queen’s Court team. Veggy had already spent 4 seasons with the Queen City Juniors as well.
Ferga-Vicious is a fresh new skater who just began her skating career six months ago but watch out for her; she came on board with loads of raw talent. Necro brings extensive experience as a jammer to the team having skated with Niagara Roller Girls, Hamilton Area Roller Derby, and various other leagues across southern Ontario before landing in QCRG and making it her home. She will also be skating with the Subzero Sirens.
In addition to the new skaters, the Kats remain anchored by a solid core of returning players. Blockers Yunita Bakoff, Knot Nice, Sham Rocks, and Toxic Shocker have returned to the team for 2017. The veteran pivot contingent of Marci Beaucoup and ½ Pint Destroyer round out the returning blockers for the team. Evil Lyn Cognito and Karsmashian are veteran jammers and will have no problem filling the the space vacated by the retired Ashes t’ Ashes.
Shocker has returned as head coach this season despite reports that he had retired. He is joined by assistant coaches Labatt Bruise and Arti Choker. On-track leadership is provided by captain Flocking Girl Scout and assistant captain PaulverizeHer.
“After coming off of a successful and bittersweet season we are picking up right where we left off,” said PaulverizHer. “We are excited with the versatility of the new additions and are looking forward to a season full of growth, hard hits, and fun.”
Come down to Buffalo Riverworks on Friday, January 20th as the Kats will look to shake off the heart-wrenching end to the 2016 season right away with a shot at revenge against the Devil Dollies. This is sure to be an entertaining kickoff to the 2017 QCRG season, so get your tickets today and join QCRG at Riverworks to cheer on the Alley Kats as they start their quest to raise the 2017 QCRG Cup.
