The Red Line

I realized even after two months of blogging, I have only formally introduced you to three players, the captains. We have made up new lines here in China, after losing our two players to the Finnish Women’s League, our assistant captains, Jin Feng Ling and Sun Rui.

So today, I would like you to “meet” the red line (for the non-hockey readers, they named that of course as they wear the red jerseys during practice) and they are one of the two stronger lines we have right now:

At defense, #55, Qi Xueting (Shee Shoo-Ting). She is 19 years old, and quite short at 5’1”. She is one of our best defenders with a great shot and she is very strong for her size. A very fun loving, hard working tough player, she is a great player to have around both on and off the ice.


At defense, #66, Zhang Shuang (Zhawng Shwawng). She is 18 years old and 5’3” tall. She is a very steady defender and was recently selected as an Assistant Captain as our two others are in Finland. A very sweet kid, she is also quite smart and can read a bit of English. She is very smooth and confident with the puck for her age. Again a great girl, quiet, but a good leader.


At Center, #7, Li Xiuli (Lee Shoo-Lee). She is 21 years old and a bit taller at 5’8”. She has the best stick handling skills of anyone on the team. She has a fun loving attitude, and along with Tang Liang, they are the “stylish” ones on the team. I should update her picture as she now has light red hair, since returning to Harbin. A very funny girl, she is the one “Most likely to end up on MTV” on our team.


At Wing, #24, Tang Liang (Tahng Lee-ahng). She is 20 years old and 5’3” tall. She is a very fast and very smart player. She is the sidekick of Li Xiuli and will be right with her when they end up on MTV. She is a big fan of Eminem and, she too, is quite a character. She has changed her hair color at least twice in two months and you see it now in its most recent “jet black.”


At Wing, #3, Xu Zhiwei (Sue Zhee-Way). She is 21 years old and 5’4” tall. She is very quick and has a good shot. She did not come with us on the trip to Finland as she had some discipline issues prior to my arrival in China. However, she is a team leader and a great girl. She is the player who sharpens everyone’s skates. She always has a smile and I have not witnessed any discipline problems since I have arrived. She is also a good player and will really add something to our team.


The days here have fallen right into a routine. We have a light, skills oriented practice in the morning, and a full practice in the afternoon. Tim has begun to implement his strength building program, so the team is in the weight room four days a week. We have a half day Satruday and a full day Sunday off every week.

Time to sign off tonight… I will have another line for you tomorrow…