EDMONTON – A trio of teams stole the spotlight Tuesday, as the Canada West women's hockey all-star and all-rookie teams were unveiled.
The Manitoba Bisons, Alberta Pandas, and UBC Thunderbirds led the all-star and all-rookie charge, with a combined 15 players being named to the three teams. UBC topped the regular season standings with 67 points, while Alberta (62 pts.), and Manitoba (56 pts.) slotted in behind the T-Birds in the regular season.
UBC's brightest all-stars were first team defencemen
Kelly Murray (20 pts., +16), and fellow top team all-star
Cassandra Vilgrain (8 goals, 27 pts.).
The 'Birds also had two players make the Canada West All-Rookie Team. Despite missing several games due to injury,
Mairead Bast was second on UBC in points for a defenceman with 15. UBC goaltender
Tory Micklash had an equally impressive first season in Canada West, with a 9-1 record and a miniscule 1.39 GAA.
The Canada West all-stars and all-rookies were selected by the conference's eight head coaches, who also voted on the Canada West major awards, which will be unveiled Thursday, March 2.
Given their wealth of all-star talent, it should come as no surprise that the defending champion Thunderbirds and Pandas are the last CW teams standings, as the two face off in this weekend's CW Final, which opens Friday in Vancouver. Game 1 and Game 2 (Saturday) go at 7 p.m. PT, while Sunday's Game 3 (if necessary) starts at 3 p.m. PT.
All Canada West final games can be seen live on
CanadaWest.tv
After crowning a conference champion, both UBC and Alberta will head to Queen's University in Kingston, Ont. for the U SPORTS national tournament, which runs Thursday, March 16 through Sunday, March 19.
2016-17 CW Women's Hockey First Team All-Stars
Name / Position / University / Year / Hometown
Rachel Dyck / G / Manitoba / 4 / Winnipeg Beach, Man.
Kelly Murray / D / UBC / 5 / Medicine Hat, Alta.
Alexandra Anderson / D / Manitoba / 3 / Winnipeg, Man.
Lauryn Keen / F / Manitoba / 3 / Manitou, Man.
Cassandra Vilgrain / F / UBC / 4 / Calgary, Alta.
Alex Poznikoff / F / Alberta / 2 / Edmonton, Alta.
2016-17 CW Women's Hockey Second Team All-Stars
Name / Position / University / Year / Hometown
Lindsey Post / G / Alberta / 5 / Chelsea, Que.
Megan Eady / D / Alberta / 5 / Renfrew, Alta.
Erica Rieder / D / Manitoba / 3 / Regina, Sask.
Kaitlin Willoughby / F / Saskatchewan / 2 / Prince Albert, Sask.
Venla Hovi / F / Manitoba / 3 / Tampere, Finland
Jaycee Magwood / F / Regina / 2 / Killarney, Man.
2016-17 CW Women's Hockey All-Rookies
Name / Position / University / Hometown
Tory Micklash / G / UBC / East St. Paul, Man.
Mairead Bast / D / UBC / Red Deer, Alta.
Taylor Kezama / D / Alberta / Camrose, Alta.
Kennedy Ganser / F / Alberta / Provost, Alta.
Tianna Ko / F/ MRU / Calgary, Alta.
Sheridan Oswald / F / Manitoba / MacGregor, Man.
