UNews - Captain

Horns hosting defending Canada West champs to open season

trevor.kenney — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 22:39:53 +0000

Following the best season in school history in 2011-12, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s hockey team took a step back last season and missed the playoffs. With a veteran laden roster set to return this season, the team looks to move back into the playoff picture.

A total of 19 players are returning from last season, although the ‘Horns have lost a good portion of their leadership group with the graduation of captain Ashley Beattie and Amy Van Buskirk. While both blueliners made great contributions to the program, the back-end is in good hands with senior Glenda Edie and fourth-year defenders Courtney Minor and Katie Mucha.

Goaltender Crystal Patterson will play a key role in any success the Horns women's hockey team has this season.

The returning goaltending tandem of Crystal Patterson and Shauntelle Williams give the Pronghorns a solid one-two punch in net. Patterson, a 2011-12 Canada West first team all-star, has carried the load the last two seasons and will look to replicate her stellar 2011-12 season. After leading the conference with six shutouts in 2011-12, she did not record one last season but had solid numbers with a 2.31 goals-against-average and 0.917 save percentage.

Despite being one of the lowest scoring teams in the conference last season, the Pronghorns possess a group of talent forwards and will look to score by committee. Megan Bailey had a breakout season last year and her team leading 16 points tripled her output from the previous campaign.

Third-year forward Kirsten Reeves led the ‘Horns last season with 12 goals, putting her in a tie for third in the conference, and she will be leaned on heavily for production again this season.

2011-12 Canada West rookie of the year Sadie Lenstra will look to rebound from an injury plagued 2012-13 campaign. After leading all Canada West rookies in scoring, Lenstra missed more than half of the season last year and never really found her stride.

Sarah Spence will be another forward to watch for the ‘Horns this season. Spence had a solid rookie season last year, registering 13 points, and will be counted on to take another step forward.

With seven of their first eight games at home to start the year, the ‘Horns have a great opportunity for a fast start.

The UBC Thunderbirds will not sneak up on the competition in 2013-14. Coming off an improbable season which saw the ‘Birds go from one regular season win in 2011-12 to a 17-7-4 regular season record, a Canada West Championship and a fifth-place finish at the CIS Championships in 2012-13, UBC will be the number one target in the conference.

Back between the pipes is Second Team All-Canadian Daniel Dube, while Second Team Canada West All-Star Christi Capozzi and Sarah Casorso will anchor the back end. Up front Second Team Canada West All-Star Tatiana Rafter, along with Rebecca Unrau, Stephanie Schaupmeyer, and Nicole Saxvik will expected to lead the charge offensively.

Keep your eye on towering newcomers Kathleen Cahoon (6’1) and Hannah Heisler (6’0) at forward, while fellow rookies Devon Morrison and Stephanie Payne could have an immediate impact on the blueline.

Reigning CIS and Canada West Coach of the Year Graham Thomas enters his second year behind the bench and is eager to prove last year was not a fluke.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena both Friday and Saturday nights. Both games will also be webcast on www.canadawest.tv, home for all Canada West webcasts.

Pronghorns women's rugby team kicks off season

trevor.kenney — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 17:49:55 +0000

For the first time since 2007, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s rugby team enters the Canada West season as the hunter and not the hunted after seeing their reign of six consecutive conference championships snapped in 2012.

The ‘Horns will not have a home game until the Canada West Championships and will play all four of their conference games on the road, starting this weekend with a trip to the west coast to face the Victoria Vikes and UBC Thunderbirds.

In addition to losing their conference crown, the ‘Horns also had their 22-game conference winning streak snapped in the process, losing to the Calgary Dinos 31-18 during the regular season. It was the Dinos who also put an end to the ‘Horns' reign as conference champions, beating the U of L 33-32 in a thrilling Canada West semifinal.

Heading into the 2013 season, the ‘Horns will need to fill some key holes left by the departure of five-time Canada West all-star Brandi Van Eeuwen, fly half Laura Murphy-Burke, scrum half Alex Hendricks and heart and soul leader Kendra Reeves. Despite these departures, the cupboard is far from bare with the return of 2013 Canada U20 members Sarah Gordon and Ashley Delaney. Add in team captain Jillian Ankutowicz, Kim Leavitt, Tiffany Wideen and Lindsey Duxbury, and the leadership group will be solid.

Newcomers Allison Toews and Lisa Hildebrand have also impressed early for the ‘Horns.

The ‘Horns' first opponent, the Victoria Vikes, will look to rebound from last season’s winless campaign and welcome a fresh, elite group of recruits to the fold. The Vikes boast 15 new members, 11 of whom competed provincially this past summer.

The UBC Thunderbirds enter the 2013 Canada West women’s rugby season with a new coach in Maria Gallo, who is working to replicate the success she enjoyed as a player at both Guelph ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta. The former national team member won three CIS championships and was named the CIS Most Valuable Player in 2002.

Gallo takes over a relatively young squad that returns most of its players from last season, which ended with a loss in the Canada West bronze medal game. There are no fifth-year seniors on the roster, but there is a large group of third- and fourth-year players who will provide leadership.

The Canada West Championships will be hosted by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Oct. 18-20 at the
U of L Community Sports Stadium.

Horns hockey announces recruits

trevor.kenney — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:12:14 +0000

After adding four defensemen and a goalie earlier this summer, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's hockey team announced the commitmentment of four forwards for the 2012-13 season.

Headlining the latest recruits for the Horns is the former captain of the Kamloops Blazers' Chase Schaber. The 6'0" centre from Red Deer, Alta. set career highs in goals and points during his final season with 23 goals and 52 points in only 61 games.

Schaber suited up for 277 career WHL games with the Blazers and Calgary Hitmen, tallying 68 goals and 102 assists. He is also the second WHL captain that the 'Horns have added this season, with the other being former Victoria Royals captain Hayden Rintoul.

"It is always a good thing to add a WHL captain to your dressing room," says Horns head coach Greg Gatto. "Chase is the number one centreman we've been looking for and he'll bring a tremendous amount of leadership to our team."

Joining Schaber directly from the WHL is Cody Chikie. Another centre, Chikie joins the 'Horns after playing the last three seasons with the Kelowna Rockets. Last season, Chikie tied his career high in goals with 18 and set a career high in points with 33 in 60 games.

Chikie began his WHL career with the Saskatoon Blades and finished with 201 career games and registered 49 goals and 48 assists.

"Cody's biggest asset is his speed, and he is going to be a big addition to our specialty teams," says Gatto. "We also feel that he'll be able to chip in offensively."

Former WHLer Killian Hutt joins the 'Horns after playing his 20-year-old season with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. With the Oil Barons, Hutt recorded 61 points in 52 regular season games and 27 points in 21 playoff games as the Oil Barons lost in the AJHL final to the Brooks Bandits.

Prior to joining the Oil Barons, Hutt played three seasons in the WHL with the Portland Winterhawks, Regina Pats and Swift Current Broncos. Hutt suited up in 116 games during the three seasons and scored a career high 13 goals as a rookie with the Winterhawks.

"Killian will add some much needed skill to our power play," says Gatto. "He proved last year that he has some offensive up-side and produced during the Oil Barons playoff run."

Rounding out the 2012-13 recruiting class is former AJHLer Taylor Fraser. The St. Albert, AB native played three full seasons with his hometown Steel, before wrapping up his junior career with the Spruce Grove Saints. In 231 games in the AJHL, Fraser registered 77 goals, including a career high 35 during the 2010-11 season and 78 assists.

"Taylor provides us with a big body on the right side and he can put the puck in the net. He scored 35 times as a 19-year old in St. Albert," says Gatto.

The 'Horns kick-off their non-conference schedule this weekend playing the newest Canada West member, Mount Royal Cougars, Friday night in Calgary before returning home to host the Calgary Dinos Saturday night, 7 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

Horns add defensive help

trevor.kenney — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:17:18 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's hockey team has dipped into the Ontario talent pool for a pair of defencemen.

Horns' head coach Greg Gatto continues to revamp the defensive core of the men's hockey team, adding Tim Campbell and David McMullen, defensemen who each have Ontario Hockey League (OHL) experience.

Campbell, a native of Thornhill, ON, joins the 'Horns after finishing his junior career with the Woodstock Slammers of the Maritime Hockey League (MHL). In 45 games as a 20 year-old, Campbell registered 17 goals and 55 assists and was named the top defenseman in the MHL.

"I am excited and really looking forward to coming to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge," says Campbell. "I fell in love with the city when I came out for my visit and can't wait to get started with the Pronghorns."

During his only season in Woodstock, he helped the Slammers win a MHL Championship and a berth in the RBC Championship. At the national championship tournament, Campbell registered five points in six games as the Slammers lost in the final to the Penticton Vees.

Prior to joining the Slammers, Campbell played three seasons in the OHL with the Guelph Storm, compiling eight goals and 39 assists in 166 career games.

"Tim was a pretty sought after guy and he showed great offensive upside last year in Woodstock," says Gatto. "He's a right shot that can quarterback our power play and he played three seasons with a great organization in the OHL."

Also making the trip out west is David McMullen, who played with his hometown Kingston Voyageurs in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). The team captain for the past two seasons, McMullen registered 22 goals and 104 assists in 189 career games. In addition to playing four seasons with the Voyageurs, McMullen played one season in the OHL with the Niagara IceDogs.

"David is another right shot defenseman with good offensive instincts," says Gatto. "He was the captain in Kingston the past two seasons and it is always nice to add a guy with good leadership qualities like that."

Gatto continues to work on rounding out this year's recruiting class. The Horns will open the 2012-2013 Canada West season by hosting the Calgary Dinos in the front half of a home-and-home series on Thursday, Sept. 27.

Horns bolster lineup

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:19:18 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's hockey team is excited to announce three new recruits for the 2012-13 Canada West season.

After the graduation of six players from last year's team, head coach Greg Gatto has his work cut out for him to fill the gaps left behind but is excited to add three quality Western Hockey League graduates, goaltender Damien Ketlo and defencemen Hayden Rintoul and Cason Machacek.

With the departure of five-year starting goalie and 2009-10 second team Canada West All-Star Scott Bowles, goaltending was a high priority in Gatto's recruiting this off-season. With the commitment of former Lethbridge Hurricane goaltender Damien Ketlo, he believes the Horns have picked up one of the best graduating goalies from the WHL.

"Damien is a guy to take over the number one position," says Gatto. "He was the Hurricanes' MVP last season and he wants to be a big part of our program. He gives us a bigger goaltender who plays the puck well, and it's his job to lose."

Ketlo is a Fort Fraser, B.C. native who played four seasons in the WHL and made 160 appearances over his career with the Regina Pats and the Hurricanes. This past season, Ketlo made 47 appearances, while sporting a 3.60 goals-against-average and a solid 0.902 save percentage.

At the end of his season, Ketlo joined the Colorado Eagles of the ECHL, making 3 appearances, including a shutout victory in his pro debut.

Rintoul and Machacek played parts of two seasons together with the Kootenay Ice. Machacek is a Lethbridge product who returns home to suit up for the Pronghorns after finishing his junior career with the Seattle Thunderbirds. Prior to being traded to Seattle, Machacek played parts of two seasons with his hometown Hurricanes and began his WHL career with the Ice. A physical, stay-at-home defenseman, Machacek suited up in 245 career WHL games in four seasons, accumulating 6 goals and 22 assists, while amassing 536 penalty minutes.

"Cason is a hometown boy who wants to come back and make our program better," says Gatto. "We needed a physical defenseman and that's exactly what Cason is and he has more upside than a lot of people give him credit for."

Rintoul, in addition to playing with the Ice, finished his WHL career with the Victoria Royals where he served as the team captain and set career highs this season in goals and points with 17 and 51 respectively. In 260 career games, Rintoul amassed 36 goals and 108 assists and won a WHL Championship in 2011 with Ice.

"Hayden is an offensive-minded defenseman and gives us that puck moving ability that is so important in today's game," says Gatto. "He won a WHL championship and was a captain, which are always qualities we like to add to our dressing room."

Ballendine, Iwanski named Horns Athletes of the Week

trevor.kenney — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:56:16 +0000

Senior forward Shelby Ballendine and assistant captain Dan Iwanski made it a hockey sweep of the Pronghorn Subway Athlete of the Week awards.

Ballendine continues to lead the way offensively for the CIS ninth-ranked Pronghorn women's hockey team and was a key to the 'Horns' road split in Regina.

Ballendine scored the lone goal Friday night in a 3-1 loss to the Cougars. The next night, Ballendine assisted on the 'Horns' first three goals as the club rebounded with a 4-0 victory in the weekend finale.

Through 12 games this season, Ballendine sits fifth in conference scoring with five goals and six assists.

On the men's side, Iwanski recorded four points as the Pronghorn men's hockey team put an end to a losing streak and earned three of a possible four points versus the Regina Cougars.

Friday night, in the 'Horns 5-2 win over the Cougars, Iwanski score once and added two assists and managed a plus-3 rating. Saturday, with the team down 2-0 to start the third period, Iwanski initiated the 'Horns' rally, assisting on Captain Dustin Moore's goal to cut the Cougar lead in half. The 'Horns earned a point in an eventual 3-2 overtime loss.

Both hockey teams are on a bye this weekend.

Horns men's hockey team adds 'Canes' captain

trevor.kenney — Tue, 24 May 2011 20:01:05 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's hockey team didn't have to look far for their latest recruit. Lethbridge Hurricanes captain Mike Reddington will stay in the city he has called home for two years and join the Pronghorns for the 2011-12 Canada West season.

"We are excited to have Mike on board, he is a proven winner,"says Horns head coach Greg Gatto. "He will give us a right shot defenseman and some needed leadership, having been the captain of the Hurricanes.
"It also further builds our relationship with the Hurricanes, and hopefully we can continue to have graduating players stay in the city and help our program."

After missing the post-season by only two points last year, Gatto's main priority in the off-season is to shore up the Horns' blue-line. With the addition of Reddington, the Horns believe they have taken a step in that direction.

Reddington, a second round Western Hockey League bantam draft pick, began his WHL career with the Spokane Chiefs and was a valuable member of the Chiefs' 2008 Memorial Cup championship team. During the Chiefs' Memorial Cup season, Reddington posted a plus-22 rating over 71 regular season games. Reddington is a 20-year-old Port Coquitlam, B.C. native.

At the start of his third season in the WHL, Reddington was traded to the Hurricanes where he closed out his junior career, serving this season as the team's captain. Over five seasons in the WHL, the gritty, hardworking defenseman collected 80 points in 329 career games.

The Horns will open training camp the first weekend of September and see their first conference action Sept. 30, hosting the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan Huskies.

Relay for Life ready to roll

trevor.kenney — Wed, 18 May 2011 21:30:44 +0000

The 2011 Fiat Lux team is ready to walk – rain or shine – to support cancer research at the Relay for Life, June 10-11 at the Victory Church grounds.

Pictured here are (back row from left): Leslie Gatner, Anne Baxter, Deirdre Coburn (captain) and Kathleen Schrage; (front row from left) Joanne Des Roche (co-captain) and Wim Chalmet. Scot Brooks and Tom Doyle are also with the group.

Since 2006, they have raised more than $40,000 in funds, and last year won a gold award for raising more than $11,000 to be the top fundraising team in Lethbridge.

In addition to the Fiat Lux unit, many other members of the
U of L community participate on other teams, or as event volunteers. People interested in joining the team can contact co-captain Deirdre Coburn (deirdre.coburn@uleth.ca).

To volunteer at the event, contact Wim Chalmet (wim.chalmet@uleth.ca), who is this year's Relay for Life event chairperson.

For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

A place to call their own

trevor.kenney — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:26:33 +0000

Kathryn Manson doesn't enjoy 5:15 a.m. wake-up calls, but the 21-year-old
U of L student diligently sets her alarm for that exact time three days a week. As the captain of the Pronghorns women's hockey team, she drags herself out of bed well before the sun comes up and makes her way to Nicholas Sheran Arena for morning practice.

"Practice doesn't start until 6:15 a.m. but most of us are up much earlier than that because it takes so long to dress for hockey," explains Manson. "Once we're on the ice, our practices are really fast paced – probably to keep us awake."

Manson jokes about her alertness that early in the morning, but it's clear she feels at home on the ice. Unfortunately, off the ice is a different story.

Assistant coach Deb Marek, left, head coach Chandy Kaip, middle, and captain Kathryn Manson, right, are excited about the new dressing room facilities being constructed.

Although established in 1997, the Pronghorns women's hockey program has never had a dedicated dressing room. Tangibly speaking, this means players have to haul equipment in and out for every practice and game; on a deeper level, the lack of a space to call their own makes these Pronghorns feel like a visiting team in their own rink.

"It's unheard of in the CIS these days for a women's team to not have their own space," says Chandy Kaip, now in her third season as the Horns' head coach.
"These girls are here every morning at 5:30 a.m. and have to lug their bags in. Then, afterwards, they have to dry their stuff out at home, whether that's a dorm room or a basement or a freezing cold garage."

Thankfully, all that is about to change. In 2010, the City of Lethbridge announced renovation plans for the arena that include the addition of a dressing room for the women's hockey team. A grant from the Daryl K. Seaman Canadian Hockey Fund has allowed for the finishing touches to be added. The addition of private showers and washrooms, as well as an athletic training space and a coaching office will make this a truly personal and private space for these student athletes.

"The impact of this gift will be immediate," says Deb Marek, assistant coach of the Horns and manager of facilities and services for Sport and Recreation Services here on campus.
"Our players are already excited and we anticipate a surge in pride when the project is completed. This new space makes our women's program more professional and appealing in the eyes of our current and even potential players. It's going to be a great recruiting tool."

Manson, who's been dragging equipment in and out of the rink for the last four years, is looking forward to her own stall in a dressing room full of Pronghorns pride.

"People don't realize how huge it is for us to have our own dressing room," says Manson, speaking on behalf of her team. "It's going to make our lives so much simpler – it will certainly make getting up at 5:15 a.m. that much easier."
Finally, the women's hockey team will be home.

GET THE FACTS

· Daryl (Doc) Seaman, who passed away in 2009, has been described as a hero, icon, pioneer, philanthropist, visionary and legend. He was an original owner of the Calgary Flames and was instrumental in bringing the team to Calgary in 1980.

· Manson broke her arm during the team's trip to Europe after colliding with another player at a game in Germany. She's been in a cast for 6 weeks and has missed 10 games.

· In addition to the new dressing room, Nicholas Sheran Arena is also adding dressing rooms for minor hockey and Lethbridge Sport Council office spaces.

· The enhancements supported by the Daryl K. Seaman Canadian Hockey Fund include: two large whiteboards, a workbench for prepping sticks, a small fridge, a projector or large TV, a washer and dryer and a stereo.

This story originally appeared in the Legend. For a look at the February issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Semester break offers European adventure

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 21:30:08 +0000

Chandy Kaip has experience organizing European trips for women's hockey programs. She's looking forward to actually taking the trip this Christmas.

Kaip and the Pronghorns women's hockey program will head to Europe Dec. 26 through Jan. 5, 2011 to participate in the inaugural European Women's Gold Cup tournament. Some 18 months of planning has gone into the excursion that is now, just days away.

"This had been in the back of my mind since I first took the job here," says Kaip, now in her third season as the Horns' head coach. "It's something I really wanted to do for our girls."

The Pronghorns women's hockey team is headed to Germany and Austria for the 2010 Europeam Women's Gold Cup tournament.

Kaip had helped organize a similar trip to Finland for Adrian College, her previous employer. After having done all the legwork and putting the trip in place, she departed Adrian for the job with the Pronghorns, never realizing the fruits of her labour. Even without actually experiencing the Finnish excursion, she knew how valuable a trip like this could be for a program, and built much of her recruiting class at the U of L off its merits.

"I think the fact we had this trip planned brought in quite a few of our top recruits," says Kaip. "We decided to do it this year because we have the opportunity to keep the core of our team together for the next two years. For them to have this experience and then stay together as a group for another year or two, I thought would be very beneficial."

Horns' captain Kathryn Manson is in her fourth year with the program. The environmental sciences student is thrilled at the opportunity.

"I grew up in Dinsmore, Sask., a small town of 375 people. I never actually thought I would be given an opportunity to play overseas," she says.

The tour takes the group through Germany and Austria, and will see the team play games against professional clubs from Switzerland, Germany and Austria. The excursion will also offer the chance to tour the castles of Innsbruck, visit the Bavarian Alps and experience the magic of Salzburg.

"We are also going to visit the concentration camp in Dachau, Germany," says Kaip. "We really wanted to make the most out of this opportunity culturally, and the girls are really looking forward to learning as much as they can about these areas."

A total of 57 people will be making the trek, as the Horns opened participation to family members.

"My mom is coming with me on the trip and I am very excited to be able to share this life experience with her," says Manson. "Both of my parents have always been so supportive of my hockey, and to be able to share this with my mom will be wonderful."

The team has been busy fundraising for the past 18 months to support the excursion, needing to raise about $2,700 per player. While it has taken a lot of work to raise the necessary funds to go to Europe, Kaip says that, given the effort, there's an added appreciation for the opportunity.

"It's always nice to have things handed to you but at the same time, when I took over this program, this was one of the main things I preached, if you work hard, you will get the reward," she says. "It's a part of life in general and it translates to the ice as well. It helps the girls realize that the rewards do come, but only after a lot of effort, time commitment and hard work."

Manson agrees, and says the team has grown closer as they work together toward a common goal.

"We've received unbelievable support from family members, faculty members and businesses throughout the community," says Manson. "It is much more rewarding that we have worked towards making this trip possible. Our team is a very hardworking group of girls and I think this shows off-ice in our schoolwork and in workouts, as well as on-ice in our practices and games."

The greatest reward might yet come down the road. Playing against European professional teams, the Horns have the chance to impress scouts for when they leave university.

"I would love to continue playing," says Manson. "For most girls, once you finish playing CIS, it seems like there are very few opportunities to continue your career. A trip like this continues to open the door for Canadian girls wanting to play in Europe. We're very fortunate to have this opportunity."

GET THE FACTS

• Fundraising initiatives for the trip included the sale of STARS calendars, providing support for the Lethbridge Oldtimers Hockey Tournament, and allowing the Alberta Cup tournament to use the Horns' new team room at Nicholas Sheran Arena in the spring, for which they received a generous donation.

• Former Pronghorns captain Kendal Tremblay is currently playing for the Austrian team that the Horns will face in tournament play. Tremblay and her father will then join the Horns for their cultural excursions.

• Both the German and Swiss teams consist of players from their Olympic programs.

• The Horns will celebrate New Year's Eve at a party in a Salzburg, Austria castle.

For a look at the full issue of the December Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

UNews - Captain

Horns hosting defending Canada West champs to open season

Related Topics

Pronghorns women's rugby team kicks off season

Related Topics

Horns hockey announces recruits

Related Topics

Horns add defensive help

Related Topics

Horns bolster lineup

Related Topics

Ballendine, Iwanski named Horns Athletes of the Week

Related Topics

Horns men's hockey team adds 'Canes' captain

Related Topics

Relay for Life ready to roll

Related Topics

A place to call their own

Related Topics

Semester break offers European adventure

Related Topics