VANCOUVER – A new era of UBC women's hockey begins this weekend at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre as the Thunderbirds open the 2011-12 season against the visiting Lethbridge Pronghorns.
UBC Thunderbirds2010-11 conference record: 7-16-1 (6th, missed playoffs)
Last CW title: N/A
Last CIS title: N/A
CW ranking: #7
Jen Rawson, a former University of Toronto star player and assistant coach, will see regular season action as UBC's bench boss for the first time this weekend, after taking over from Nancy Wilson.
There will also be a new look in goal, after the graduation of
Melinda Choy (her twin sister, Alisha, a forward, has also finished her time with the Thunderbirds). All three goaltenders on the UBC roster are rookies, including
Carly Butcher (1st, Bellingham, WA), daughter of former Vancouver Canuck, Garth.
Defensively, UBC brings back a strong core, despite losing
Kirsten Mihalcheon, the team's highest scoring defender in 2010-11.
Christi Capozzi (3rd, Kelowna, BC),
Emily Grainger (4th, Sooke, BC) and
Sarah Casorso (1st, Kelowna, BC) return, to be joined by two key recruits,
Cailey Hay (1st, Oakbank, MB) and
Charissa Church (1st, Edmonton, AB).
Up front, UBC returns four of its top five scorers from last season:
Kaitlin Imai (4th, Coquitlam, BC),
Tatiana Rafter (2nd, Winnipeg, MB),
Amanda Asay (5th, Prince George, BC) and
Tamara Pickford (5th, Chilliwack, BC).
Coach Rawson wants a strong work ethic to be one of the defining characteristics of her team this season. She hopes UBC can be a strong defensive team, that can frustrate opponents with its speed and pace of play.
Lethbridge Pronghorns2010-11 conference record: 4-17-3 (7th, missed playoffs)
Last CW title: N/A
Last CIS title: N/A
CW ranking: #6
The Lethbridge Pronghorns are a year older and hopefully a year wiser. After missing the post-season for the fifth consecutive season last year, the Pronghorns are looking to make a move up the standings this season with a more veteran lineup and crack into one of the four playoff positions.
In the past, the 'Horns' Achilles heel has been goal scoring, scoring a conference low 39 goals last season, but head coach Chandy Kaip feels that she has two lines that are an offensive threat each game with key returning players, Jenna-Marie Durnin, Shelby Ballendine, Erica Williams and Megan Bailey leading the pack.
To add to the offensive punch are freshmen Sadie Lenstra (Calgary Flyers) and Kirsten Reeves (Edmonton Thunder). Both Lenstra and Reeves have made a quick transition to the university level and have been impressive in the preseason.
After going through a complete overhaul in the crease last season with three new goaltenders, Coach Kaip feels they will be solid in the net with whoever starts, as all three have played well so far this season, and sets up an interesting competition for playing time. Crystal Patterson has only allowed one goal in her last three games and seems to be the front runner.
