HÂţ» University women’s hockey head coach Sean Fraser is pleased to announce the commitment of four (Ontario) Provincial Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) players to the Tigers 2013-14 lineup.
Taylor Sokay, a defenceman from Cobourg, Ontario comes to the Tigers after playing with the Brampton Junior Thunder last season. Prior to Brampton, she played with the Clarington Flames Midget AA hockey team.
An honour roll student, Sokay is the recipient of the Brampton Canadettes Scholarship that rewards outstanding individuals who excel in the arena and the classroom and exhibit qualities of leadership and commitment. She will be pursuing a degree in psychology while at HÂţ».
“I told my coach that my dream was to go to school out East and play varsity hockey,” says Sokay. “I couldn’t be more excited to have achieved my goal!”
“Taylor is a strong skating defenceman that has good vision and likes to jump into the rush,” says Fraser. “She will add to a strong defensive core and should make an immediate impact to the Tigers lineup.”
A forward with great defensive skills, Karly Zammit played the last two seasons with the Burlington Junior Barracudas. In 2012, she was a member of Canada’s U19 JWHL Challenge Cup championship team and a member of the U19 Intermediate US-Canada Cup series championship team.
Zammit also played on her high school (St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School) hockey team all four years, serving as an assistant captain for three of them. She helped lead them to two Tier 1 ROPSSAA championships (2010 & 2012).
An honour roll student through most of high school, Karly has received Junior and Senior Leadership awards for participation and will be pursuing a degree in kinesiology this fall.
“I think HÂţ»â€™s hockey program is a great fit for me,” says Zammit. “I’m looking forward to my future as a Tiger.”
“Karly will join the Tigers as a forward. Due to injuries to her team last season, she stepped up and filled in on the backend,” says Fraser. “Despite playing defence, Karly was still one of the Barracudas leading scorers. She has great speed and vision and the Tigers are looking forward to having her in the lineup in the fall.”
Another speedy forward, Jennifer Thompson comes to the Tigers from Etobicoke, Ontario. She recorded eight goals and five assists with the Etobicoke Junior Dolphins last season.
Thompson is the recipient of her high school’s Platinum Award for Athletic Achievement and was an honour roll student all four years. She has enrolled in HÂţ»â€™s engineering program.
“I am very excited about coming to HÂţ» because it offers a great combination of strong academics and athletics,” says Thompson. “I am really looking forward to being a part of Dal’s women’s hockey program and contributing to the team’s success.”
“Jennifer is a quick forward with a work ethic that is second to none,” says Fraser. “She is one of those players that makes things happen when she is on the ice. We’re excited to add her speed and intensity to the roster.”
Rounding out the group is forward Courtney Sheedy. Sheedy played the 2012-13 season with the Barrie Junior Sharks, recording five goals and six assists. Before joining the PWHL, she played five years with the Orangeville Midget A Tigers where she helped lead her team to a provincial championship and received the Lindsay White Award for excellence in the game of hockey.
An Orangeville, Ontario native, Sheedy will be pursuing a degree in health promotion.
“I am very excited to be a part of the HÂţ» community and I’m looking forward to the upcoming season with the Tigers,” says Sheedy. “I’m hoping to contribute on and off the ice to help the team reach its goals.”
“Courtney is a speedy forward with good puck-handling skills and has a nose for the net,” says Fraser. “Her quick feet and decision-making skills will be an asset to the Tigers offence.”
The Tigers will be playing their home games at Saint Mary’s Alumni Arena for the 2013-14 season. Their home opener is Friday, November 1 at 7:00pm versus Mount Allison.