Isabella Fauth is passionate about playing hockey, so much so that she put her name forward to be part of the 2019 IIHF Girls' Global Game held at the Saddledome in Calgary.

On Saturday, her wish came true after being selected as one of only 40 female bantam players across Canada to form two teams representing the nation in a special hockey program that unites girls playing hockey around the globe.

As a member of the Canadian teams, Bella, 14, was in Calgary enjoying a full weekend of events with girl hockey players selected from 10 provinces and two territories. Besides the game, she visited the Canada Sports Hall of Fame and toured the Olympic Park and the Hall of Champions. She also heard guest speakers tell of their unique experiences and participated in team building activities.

Bella was excited to have the opportunity to participate. To be considered for a spot, she had to write an essay, tell her hockey story and explain why she wanted to be there.

"I want to be successful in hockey and I wanted to show what I'm capable of," she explains. "I really wanted to enjoy the experience and promote international female hockey."

Photo Courtesy of Hockey Canada

The event was hosted by Hockey Canada in collaboration with Hockey Alberta and the International Ice Hockey Federation. For several years now, the Girls’ Global Game has been a celebration connecting countries from all over the world in a single effort to grow female hockey. Over two-and-a-half days, 40 countries hosted one-hour games in succession, beginning in New Zealand before making its way across six continents until reaching its final destination here in Calgary.

Bella joined Cochrane Minor Hockey's female program in peewees when her family moved to the community, explains her mother Domenica Anderson.

"They welcomed her," says Anderson. "It was her first year learning to play and skate. In the second year, she was named team captain."

Bella currently plays for the Rockyview Bantam 'A' Lightning that is formed by players from Cochrane and Airdrie. The team has already won their zone and will be competing in the provincials in Calgary, Mar. 14-16.

The Lightning team is also about to enter the Bantam 'A' playoffs of the Rocky Mountain Female Hockey League. In the first round, they take on the Okotoks Bantam Gold in a two-game, total goals series. Game one goes in Okotoks on Feb. 23 before coming to the Cochrane Arena the next day.

Bella is also gearing up to try out for the Alberta Challenge tournament being held in Leduc in May. In total, three teams from southern Alberta and three from the north will be participating. The south tryouts are being hosted in Cochrane from Apr. 5 to 7.

Bella is currently the only female skater at the P3 High School Academy at Cochrane High. Her teammate, Sarah Kerr, is the only female goalie in the program.

Two Canadian teams faced off on Saturday in the Girls' Global Game. It was the last of 40 games held around the world over 2 1/2 days. (Photo Courtesy of Hockey Canada)