2013 MFMHL PLAYER COMMITMENTS
MFMHL GRADS CONTINUE TO RECEIVE OPPORTUNITIES
Alexee Klassen Commits to Play for University of Saskatchewan
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that former Winnipeg Ice Forward Alexee Klassen has commited to play for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies commencing in 2013. The Huskies play in the CIS Canada West Hockey Conference with the university located in Saskatoon. Klassen was the leading scorer for the Ice in 2011-12 earning a MFMHL Player of the Week Award. Klassen was a Winnipeg "AA" All-star and help the Winnipeg Titans to a City Championship prior to making the "AAA" Ice where she was named an Alternate Captain. During her Midget Career Klassen was selected to participate in Hockey Manitoba's Top 40 Program of Excellence Camp.
The MFMHL would like to congratulate Alexee on on her outstanding accomplishments to date and wishes her all the best with her future academic and hockey endeavors at the Umiversity of Saskatchewan.
SYDNEE KELLSEY COMMITS TO CARLETON UNIVERSITY
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that after three strong seasons with the Eastman Selects Goaltender Sydnee Kellsey who attended College Pierre Elliott Trudeau and lives in Oakbank has commited to attend school at and play hockey for Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. The Ravens play in the Ontaio University Athletics Conference.
Kellsey has been a mainstay for the Selects starting her AAA Midget career by splitting duties between the pipes with veteran goaltender Marissa Lajeunesse however in her first year she was leaned upon to help carry the team to the finals in the Manitoba Female Midget Hockey League when an injury ened Lajeunesse's season. In that first season Kellsey played a total of 54 games posting a GAA of 1.685. During her next 2 seasons Kellsey continued to shine as she posted .913 and .919 save percentages.
Kellsey has been a huge part of the Selects organization both on and off the ice over the past three seasons.
The MFMHL congratulates Sydnee on her outstanding Midget Career and wishes her all the best in her future endeavors academically and playing hockey at Carleton University where she plans to earn a Bacholor of Science with a major in psychology to continue to on with either sports psychology, occupational therapy or physiotherapy.
BRIANNA HANSON COMMITS TO ROBERT MORRIS
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that Brianne Hanson of the Norman Wild has commited to attend school and play hockey at Robert Morris University in Chicago Illinois. The Eagles play in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA - D1) where they have won 2 National Championships, been runner-up 3 times and third 3 times including 2013.
Hanson a 5`5" Forward who hails from Thompson Manitoba has been one the Wild`s top players and was invited to participate in Hockey Manitoba`s Program of Excellence Spring Camp. Hanson who has been the Wild`s Captain the past two seasons is a strong skater who plays an intense physical style of hockey while also displaying good offensive skills. During her career with the Wild she received the Hardest Working Player Award along with two Leadership Awards in recognition of her efforts as Assistant Captain, Captain and for her dedication to putting her teammates and team first. This past season she received the Kevin Scaddan Memorial Hockey Scholarship award in recognition of being the player with the best display of skill, sportsmanship and academics in Thompson Minor Hockey. Hanson attends R.D. Parker Collegiate in Thompson where she attained Honour Roll with distiction status and received two High School Scholarships.
Hanson plans on taking Exercise Sports Science at Robert Morris and is looking at pursuing a career in physiotherapy or occupational therapy.
The MFMHL would like to congratulate Brianne on her outstanding accomplishments to date in Midget Hockey and wishes her continued success in her future academic and hockey endeavors at Robert Morris University.
CHANTAL GAMACHE COMMITS TO BISONS
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that Chantal Gamache of the Central Plains Capitals has committed to play hockey for the University of Manitoba Bisons commencing the 2013-14 season. The University of Manitoba is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba and the Bisons compete in the CIS Canada West Hockey Conference which includes teams from Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
Gamache a 5’ 9” forward who hails from Laurier and attends High School in McCreary was third in team scoring for the Capitals with 25 goals and 19 assists for 44 points during the 2012-13 season. An Alternate Captain for the Capitals Gamache was an instrumental part to the team’s success that saw them make the MFMHL Semi-finals, final at the Westman Wildcat Classic Tournament and Top 4 at the 16 team Minnesota Thoroughbreds Tournament. Gamache's efforts did not go unrecognized by her teammates and coaches as she earned the Capitals Sportsmanship and Leadership Award this past season. She has also participated at the Regional Level in the Manitoba Games representing her region twice, 2006 and 2010.
The MFMHL congratulates Chantal on her outstanding accomplishments in Midget Hockey and wishes her continued success with her future academic and hockey endeavors at the University of Manitoba.
HANEY COMMITS TO AUSBURG COLLEGE
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that Karissa Haney has committed to play for the Augsburg College Auggies for the 2013-2014 hockey season. The college is located in Minneapolis, MN enrolling more than 3800 students with the Auggies playing in the NCAA Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).
Haney hails from Killarney where she is an honor roll student and is also an outstanding softball hitter playing infield for the Raiders softball team. Haney has been a very consistent performer for the Wildcats in her three years with the organization scoring 38 goals and adding 26 assists in her time as a Wildcat. Haney is described a very dedicated player and is known as a great teammate on and off the ice by the Wildcat Organization. While attending Augsburg Haney will be enrolling in the Education department working towards her teaching degree.
The MFMHL would like to congratulate Karissa on all her accomplishments during her midget career and wish her good luck with her academic and athletic goals in the MIAC and as an Auggie.
MEGAN ROSS COMMITS TO DALHOUSIE TIGERS
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that forward Megan Ross of the Winnipeg Avros has commited to attend school at and play hockey for Dalhousie University commencing 2013-14. Dalhousie University is located in Halifax and Truro Nova Scotia and the Tigers play in the Atlantic University Sport Conference (AUS). Ross who hails from Winnipeg is an Alternate Captain for the Avros and is known as a solid 2-way player and team leader, this season she netted 10 goals and added 17 assists for 27 points. The past 2 seasons Ross has helped the Avros reach the MFMHL Final (2012) and Semi-finals (2013). During the 2011 and 2012 seasons she participated in Hockey Manitoba's Program of Excellence and on both occassions made the Top 40 Summer Camp.
The MFMHL congratulates Megan on her outstanding accomplishments during her midget hockey career and wishes her all the best with her future academic and hockey endeavors at Dalhousie University.
MADISON HUTCHINSON Commits to Bemidji State
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that defense Madison Hutchinson of the Pembina Valley Hawks has commited to attend school and play hockey at Bemidgi State located in Bemidji Minnesota starting next season. The Bemidji State Beavers are a NCAA D1 Program that plays in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) one of the toughest leagues in the NCAA.
Hutchinson who hails from Manitou where she attends Nellie McClung Collegiate is arguably one of the top defense ever to compete in the MFMHL. The Captain of the Hawks has been a member of 3 MFMHL Championship teams and in 2012 led her team to Hockey Canada's Esso Cup National Midget Championship and along the way was named MFMHL MVP and the Top Defense at the National Championship. This season Hutchinson was a unanimous MFMHL All-star selection to the First Team. Hutchinson is a 2 time member of Hockey Manitoba's Program of Excellence U18 Team earning a Bronze (2011) and Silver (2012) at Hockey Canada's U18 National Championship. Over her career with the Hawks Hutchinson has played 199 games scoring 42 gaols and adding 135 assists for 177 points.
Bemidji State Head Coach Steve Veenker Hutchinson:
“Madison Hutchinson is an outstanding young puck-moving defenseman who will really be a player to watch. She has size and a tremendous hockey IQ and she brings an outstanding skill level to the rink. We have high expectations for Madison and hopefully she will be a contributor right away. She has all the skills necessary to be a future leader in our program.”
Hutchinson who is an honor student plans on studying chemistry and biology at Bemidji. The MFMHL congratulates Madison on her outstanding accomplishments during her midget career and wishes her continued success with her future academic and hockey endeavors at Bemidgi State.
AUTUMN GARNHAM COMMITS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that defense Autumn Garnham of the Central Plains Capitals has commited to attend school at the University of Toronto and play hockey for the Varsity Blues next season. Garnham who hails from and attends high school in Portage la Prairie is an Honour Roll Student and has been accepted into the Pre-med Program at the University of Toronto.
Garnham is an Assistant Captain with the Capitals and leads all defense with 28 points. Garnham is a solid defender who is a major contributor to a defense that has only allowed 1.7 goals per game this season. She moves the puck with authority out of her end plus contributes offensively while playing against the oppositions top players including being a regular on the team`s penalty kill and power play. Garnham is a 2 Time Gold Medal NAHC Champion with Team Manitoba Aboriginal and has made Hockey Manitoba`s Program of Excellence Top 40 the past 2 years.
The MFMHL congratulates Autumn on her outstanding achievements to date during her Midget career and wishes her all the best with her future academic and hockey endeavors at the University of Toronto.
3 WESTMAN WILDCATS COMMIT
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that forward Teagan Pringle has commited to attend school and play hockey for the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers while forward Samantha Dyck and defense Kaitlyn Whaley will attend school and play hockey for the NAIT OOKS commencing in the 2013-14 season.
Forward Teagan Pringle has commited to play for the UPEI Panthers commencing the 2013-14 season. UPEI is located in Charlottetown, PEI enrolling more than 4600 students with the Panthers playing in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) division of the CIS.
Pringle hails from Glenboro, Manitoba where she is an honour roll student and volunteers her time to numerous activities in her spare time. During her career with the Wildcats Pringle has scored 34 goals and has added 56 assists.
While attending UPEI Pringle plans to attain a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology. The MFMHL congratulates Teagan on her accomplishments to date in her midget career and wishes her good luck with her academic and athletic goals in the CIS and as a Panther.
Forward Samantha Dyck and Defense Kaitlyn Whaley will be suiting up for the NAIT OOKS to start the 2013-14 season. The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology is located in Edmonton, Alberta with the OOKS play in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).
Dyck hails from Boissevain, Mb and maintains honour roll status at Boissevain Collegiate. Dyck has notched 42 goals and added 41 assists during her career with the Wildcats and was selected to attend the top 40 spring camp in Hockey Manitoba’s Program of Excellence in 2012.
Dyck plans on studying to be a laboratory technician while attending NAIT.
Whaley hails from Douglas, Mb where she maintains honour roll status at Elton Collegiate. Whaley has been a solid and steady defenseman for the Wildcats during her 3 year midget career with the Wildcats scoring 8 goals and adding 35 assists. Whaley attended the top 100 camp duringf the last two years in Hockey Manitoba’s Program of Excellence.
Whaley plans on studying to become a Dentistry Technician as she continues her studies at NAIT.
The MFMHL would like to congratulate Samantha and Kaitlyn on their accomplishments during their midget careers to date and wish them continued success with their academic and athletic endeavors at NAIT and as an OOK.
Ashleigh Brykaliuk commits to the
University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that Ashleigh Brykaliuk a forward with the Westman Wildcats has committed to play for the NCAA Division 1 Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs for the 2013-2014 hockey season. Minnesota-Duluth is located in Duluth Minnesota and is a 4 year University whose Bulldogs play in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) and have won more NCAA Championships, five, than any other NCAA Program.
Brykaliuk a forward with the Wildcats hails from Brandon where she attends Vincent Massey High School and is currently first in goals scored (39) and second in total points (80) in 59 games this season.
Brykaliuk won a silver medal in November when she played for Team Manitoba at Hockey Canada's National U-18 Midget Female Championships, she has represented Manitoba at the U18 Nationals once prior to this along with playing in the Canada Winter Games. Over the Christmas break she got a chance to represent Canada at the 2012 IIHF U-18 World Women's Hockey Championships, winning a Gold medal. It was the second time Brykaliuk has represented Canada at the IIHF U18 World Championships.
The MFMHL would like to congratulate Ashleigh on her outstanding accomplishments to date in her hockey career and wish her all the best with her academic and athletic endeavors in the NCAA and as a Bulldog in the future.
KIMBERLY KOBAR
COMMITS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-SUPERIOR
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that Goaltender Kimberly KObar of the Norman Wild has verbally commited to attend school and play hockey for the University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets commencing in 2013-14 season. The University of Wisconsin-Superior is located in Superior, Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Superior and has an enrollment of 4000 students. The Yellowjackets play in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association and are currently ranked 9th in NCAA Division II-III.
Kobar hails from The Pas, Manitoba where she is an honor roll student at Margaret Barbour Collegiate Institute and plans on majoring in Science when in university.
Kobar is in her 4th year with the Wild and faces an average of close to 50 shots per game and has maintained a .911 Save % this season. She is excited about the opportunity to be a part of and contribute to the Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets Program that is consistently a Top 10 team in the national rankings.e
The MFMHL would like to congratulate Kimberly on your outstanding accomplishments to date in midget hockey and wish her continued success with her academic and hockey endeavors in the future while attending the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
Ashleigh Watson Commits to MacEwan University
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that Defence Ashleigh Watson of the Winnipeg Avros has commited to attend school at and play hockey for MacEwan University in Edmonton Alberta commencing in the 2013-14 season. The MacEwan Griffins play in the Alberta College Athletics Conference (ACAC).
Watson is the third graduating defence to commit from the Avros current roster. Over the past 2 seasons Watson has been a major part of a Defence that has been one of the best in the MFMHL and helped the Avros reach the league finals in 2011-12. Watson is known for ability to be a shutdown defense who can move the puck out of her end with solid first passes. Watson developed her skills with the APHA Rangers where she was a Hockey Winnipeg All-star and a member of City Championship teams in Bantam. She is currently an Assistant Captain with the Avros.
The MFMHL congratulates Ashleigh on her tremendous accomplishments during her midget career and wishes her continued success in her academic and hockey endeavors at MacEwan University.
Karissa Kirkup Commits to the University of Maine
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that forward Karissa Kirkup of the Westman Wildcats has committed to play for the University of Maine Black Bears for the 2013-2014 Season. The University of Maine is located in Orono, Maine enrolling more than 12,000 students. It is a 4 year University whose Black Bears play in the NCAA D1 Women's Hockey East Association (WHEA).
Kirkup who hails from Virden, Manitoba has been one of the MFMHL's top forwards the past two seasons while playing for the Wildcats. She has been the Wildcats leading scorer over the past 2 seasons and currently leads the Wildcats with 78 points (31 goals and 47 assists) in 48 games. During her midget career with the Wildcats Kirkup has tallied 130 goals and added 134 assists.
Kirkup was part of Team Manitoba that won a silver medal in November at the Hockey Canada National U-18 Women's Championships in Dawson Creek, BC. She recently won the MVP award, top plus/minus award and earned a spot on the 1st all star team at the Mac's midget tournament in Calgary Alberta over the Christmas break .
The MFMHL would like to congratulate Karissa on her outstanding midget career to date and wish her good luck with her academic and athletic endeavors at Maine as a Black Bear within the NCAA.
KIRA BANNATYNE
COMMITS TO UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that Kira Bannatyne has become the second Winnipeg Avros defence to commit to attending school at and playing hockey for the University of Saskatchewan starting in the 2013-14 season. The University of Saskatchewan is located in Saskatoon and the Huskies play in the Canada West Hockey Conference of the CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sports).
Bannatyne who hails from Winnipeg is an Assistant Captain with the Avros and is asked to play against the opposing teams best offensive players as well as being a huge part of the Avros specialty teams. Bannatyne is a solid defender who makes good decisions with the puck and has the capability of carrying the puck or moving it with a strong first pass.
Bannatyne made the Top 40 of Hockey Manitoba's Program of Excellence in 2012, has won Championships within Hockey Winnipeg's Top Divisions as part of the APHA Rangers Program and was a 3 time WMHA All-star prior to playing for the Avros in 2011-12 and making the MFMHL Final.
The MFMHL wants to congratulate Kira on her outstanding hockey accomplishments to date and wishes her all the best in her future academic and hockey endeavors at the University of Saskatchewan.
BRITTNI MOWAT COMMITS TO BEMIDJI STATE
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that Brittni Mowat of the Pembina Valley Hawks has commited to attend school at and play hockey for Bemidji State commencing the 2013-14 season. Bemidji State is located in Bemidji Minnesota and the Beavers play in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) which is the top NCAA D1 league in the United States.
Mowat a 5' 7" goaltender from Glenboro has been the top player at her position in the MFMHL over the past 2 seasons and during that time has an outstanding record of 81-25-14 while backstopping the Hawks to 2 MFMHL titles, a Canada West Regional and Hockey Canada Esso Cup National Championship in 2012. Mowat has posted a GAA of 1.65 and save % of .941 in 123 games with the Hawks during that time frame. At the 2012 National Championship Mowat was named the top goalie in the tournament.
Mowat has also particpated in Hockey Manitoba's Program of Excellence being name to Team Manitoba in 2012 and helped the team earn a Silver Medal at Hockey Canada's U18 National Championship as their #1 goaltender.
Bemidji State Head Coach Steve Veenker on Mowat: “We have been accustomed to great goaltending for the past few seasons and Brittni Mowat brings the potential to be another great goaltender for us here at BSU. She has shown an ability to win big games with her success at the Esso Cup and this year with helping lead Team Manitoba to a Silver Medal in Canada's U-18 Championship. She has tremendous self-confidence in her abilities as a goaltender and she seems to love the challenge of trying to steal games from the goaltender position. She will hopefully push very hard to play for us right away.”
Mowat is an Honor Student at Glenboro Collegiate and is undecided on her field of study at Bemidji State at this time. The MFMHL wants to congratulate Brittni on her outstanding midget career to date and wishes her all the best with her academic and hockey endeavors in the future at Bemidji State.
Alicia Van Alstyne Committs to University of Saskatchewan
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that Winnipeg Avros defense Alicia Van Alstyne has committed to attend school at and play hockey for the University of Saskatchewan located in Saskatoon. The Huskies play in the Canada West Hockey Conference of the CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sports). Van Alstyne who hails from Winnipeg is the Avros Captain and is a solid defender who was part of Team Manitoba that earned a Silver Medal at the 2012 Hockey Canada U18 National Championship and was a member of the 2011-12 Avros team who were MFMHL finalists. To date this season Van Alstyne has 9 goals and 4 assists and is currently the highest rated defense on her team with a plus 16 rating while playing against opponents top lines in assisting the Avros to a 14-4-3 MFMHL record and an overall record of 22-8-7.
The MFMHL wants to congratulate Alicia on her outstanding accomplisments during her midget career and wishes her all the best with her academic and hockey endeavors at the University of Saskatchewan.
Amanda Coey Committs to Wisconsin-Superior
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that Westman Wildcats forward Amanda Coey has verbally committed to attend school and play for University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets commencing in 2013-14 season. The University Wisconsin-Superior is located in Superior Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Superior and has an enrollment of 4000 students. The Yellowjackets play in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association and are currently ranked 9th in NCAA Division II-III.
Coey hails from Brandon Manitoba where she is an honor roll student at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary High School and plans on majoring in Science when she enrolls in university. Coey who is in her 4th year with the Wildcats has been a consistent performer during her midget career scoring 67 goals and adding 61 assists, to date this season Coey has notched 31 points. Coey is excited about the opportunity to be a part of and contribute to the Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets Program that is consistently a Top 10 team in the national rankings.
The MFMHL would like to congratulate Amanda on her achievements during her midget career and wish her good luck with her academic and athletic goals in the NCAA and as a Yellowjacket.
JESSICA VALLOTTON COMMITTS TO UNIVERSITY OF MAINE
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that Jessica Vallotton a defense with the Westman Wildcats has committed to play hockey for the University of Maine Black Bears commencing in the 2013-14 season. The University of Maine which has an enrollment of 12,000 students is located in Orono, Maine in the northeastern United States and competes in the NCAA Division 1 Hockey East Association.
Vallotton has scored 59 goals and added 81 assists for 140 points for the Wildcats in her midget career, in 2011-12 Vallotton tallied an unprecedented 32 goals from the point. Over the past two seasons Vallotton has played for Team Manitoba at the Hockey Canada U18 National Championships and this past season helped the team earn a Silver Medal.
Vallotton who hails from Ninette, Manitoba plans on majoring in Engineering during her studies at Maine. The MFMHL congratulates Jessica on her outstanding accomplishments to date and wishes her continued success in her academic and hockey endeavors in the future.
CASSIDY CARELS COMMITTS TO PROVIDENCE
The MFMHL is pleased to announce that Cassidy Carels a forward with the Pembina Valley Hawks has committed to play for the Providence Friars next season which is located in Providence, Rhode Island. Carels who hails from Bruxelles, Manitoba currently leads her team in scoring with 44 points in 27 games. Carels was part of the Canadian U18 Team that won a Gold Medal at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's World Championship in Heinola and Vierumaki, Finland from Dec. 29, 2012 to Jan. 5, 2013.
During the 2011-12 season Carels won a gold medal with the Pembina Valley Hawks at the 2012 Esso Cup, Canada's National Female Midget Championship, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Islands. Carels also was part of Team Manitoba that earned a Silver Medal at the 2012 Hockey Canada U18 National Championships. Over her career with Pembina Valley Carels has scored 142 goals and added 116 assists for 258 points in 189 games leaving her second in all-time scoring for the Hawks.
"Cass is the type of forward that every program needs and we are excited to have," Providence Head Coach Bob Deraney said. "Her offensive instincts, high energy and skill fits perfectly into our style of play. Her natural ability coupled with the way we want to play is going to allow her to be an immediate impact player for us."
The MFMHL congratulates Cassidy on her outstanding Midget Hockey career to date and wishes her continued success in her academic and hockey endeavours in the future.
