Quaker Valley 6th-grader Reiner invited to elite hockey tournament

Emily Reiner wears a No. 13 jersey for her Pens Elite and Arctic Foxes 12U girls hockey teams.

But the number selection is not bad luck for the sixth grader at Quaker Valley Middle School.

Reiner, 11, a Glenfield resident, is one of 100 female 2007 birth-year players from around the world invited to take part in the third annual Future Legends Hockey Hall of Fame Tournament on April 25 to 28 in Toronto, Canada.

“This is an amazing feeling,” said Reiner, who turns 12 on July 24. “I really didn’t think I would be in the top 100. There is a lot of talent and competition out there from all around the world. One girl is coming from Sweden. I’m very excited for it.”

The players will be drafted to six teams for competition throughout their time in Toronto. Each team will play five pool-play games leading to playoff and consolation contests.

Skill evaluations also will be a part of the four days of festivities.

Reiner will head to Toronto with three other Pens Elite players: Natalia Disora of Upper St. Clair, Neely Hawn of Mars and Taylor Schooley of Moon.

Reiner has recovered, with rehab, from a knee injury that kept her off the ice for about three weeks late in her seasons with Pens Elite and the Arctic Foxes.

“Her seasons ended a little sooner than she had hoped, but both went well, for the most part, and she had a great time,” said Curtis Reiner, Emily’s father.

“She’s all cleared, and (the knee) has healed up fine. It was just unfortunate timing for her. She was frustrated because she’s high energy and loves to get on the ice.”

In addition to the showcase tournament, the players will receive an exclusive-access tour of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Reiner said there is no one aspect of the hall of fame she is looking forward to more than any other.

“I think the whole experience is going to be super fun,” she said.

Beyond the tournament, Reiner will begin to focus on joining the Quaker Valley junior high team in the fall. No word yet, Curtis Reiner said, on whether Emily will continue with QV hockey into high school.

“We take each season one at a time because a lot of times, things change,” he said. “But for now, she’s really happy to have the chance to represent her school and her community and play with her classmates and local friends.”