Queenstowner Emma Rout’s lacing up her skates for the Wakatipu Wild this year — her first full competitive season in about 15 years. Photo: Tracey RoxburghIt's been a hot minute since Queenstown ice hockey fans saw the name ‘Rout’ on the back of a jersey in a national league. But this season, former Ice Fernz player Emma Rout, 34, is bringing it back, playing for the Wakatipu Wild women’s ice hockey team. "I just wanted to get back on the ice, if I’m totally honest; dust the skates off and give it another shot." Last season’s runner-up in the New Zealand Women’s Ice Hockey League (NZWIHL), coach Colin McIntosh says the 2024 squad is looking sharp going into this year, and they’ve added some other new faces into an already strong core group.
