December 20, 2004
GUELPH WOMEN'S HOCKEY TEAM SET TO TOUR SWEDEN
The CIS's fourth ranked Guelph Gryphons have put together a strong first half and are ready to take on another challenge, this time against some of Sweden's best. The 7-2-2-0 Gryphons sit in second spot in the OUA West at the break and will be headed to Europe to play against some of Sweden's top female hockey teams.
The Gryphons will depart on boxing day and return on January 5th. While in Sweden they will play Club AIK Stockholm twice, once on December 28th and again on the 30th. They will also take on Club MB Stockholm on the 29th. These two teams feature 12 Swedish national team players including standout goaltender Kim Martin and top forward Maria Rooth. Guelph will then travel south to Kungsbacka, Sweden to take on the HK Kings on January 2nd. The team will then spend some time taking in the sights of Copenhagen, Denmark before returning to Canada.
Captain Kate Ennis (4th Yr. B.Sc. Perth, ON.) of the Gryphons is excited about this International opportunity. "The 2004-2005 Euro tour will be a milestone in this season, as well as in my career," remarked Ennis. "Having the chance to play hockey against some of Europe's finest teams is an experience of a life time. I am looking forward to the opportunity to experience the culture, the hockey, and the active team bonding. I think this trip will be the key to getting the team on the winning path for the remainder of the 2004-2005 season."
Ennis and Lindsay Trimble (4th Yr. B.Sc., Scarborough, ON.) have been leading the way offensively for the Gryphons in the first half. The two forwards have combined for 11 goals and are among the top ten in scoring in the OUA and inside the top twenty in scoring in the country. While the Gryphons are quite a threat offensively, their defensive play has been solid as well. Guelph has the third best goals against average in the CIS. Third year defender Hayley Anso (B.Sc., Toronto, ON.) and last year's OUA West rookie of the year Bianca Kitts (B.Sc., Nepean, ON.) anchor the Gryphons' defence. The two have been rock solid on the blue line, while goaltender Aleisha Lusk (3rd Yr. B.Sc., Mitchell, ON.) has been outstanding between the pipes during the first half of the season and is amongst the leaders in CIS goalie stats.
"If the beginning of the season is any reflection on the things to come, the 2004-2005 Gryphon season will prove to be the best one yet", said Ennis. "The team has shown a level of talent and dedication that is remarkable. The combination of experienced vets and this year's talented newcomers has proven to be a winning blend. I anticipate a season with many rewarding results as we continue our quest towards a national title. I am very proud to be helping to lead such a great team to what will surely be many more victories".
This years recruiting class has seen the emergence of Elaine Dumas (1st Yr. B.Sc. Waterloo, ON.) from the Cambridge Junior Fury program as she leads the Gryphon rookies in scoring and is tied for the team lead in goals scored. Nicole Latreille (1st Yr. B.A., Ottawa, ON.) from the NWHL's Ottawa Raiders and Arden Sullivan (1st Yr. B.A. London, ON.) from the Provincial Gold Medallist Bluewater Jr. Hawks are right behind Dumas in rookie scoring. All three rookies are off to great starts and will be fun to watch second half.
The Gryphons are excited about their trip to Europe and are looking forward to an exciting second half of OUA competition.
(Source: Dan Church with Chuck Wight)
The Gryphons will depart on boxing day and return on January 5th. While in Sweden they will play Club AIK Stockholm twice, once on December 28th and again on the 30th. They will also take on Club MB Stockholm on the 29th. These two teams feature 12 Swedish national team players including standout goaltender Kim Martin and top forward Maria Rooth. Guelph will then travel south to Kungsbacka, Sweden to take on the HK Kings on January 2nd. The team will then spend some time taking in the sights of Copenhagen, Denmark before returning to Canada.
Captain Kate Ennis (4th Yr. B.Sc. Perth, ON.) of the Gryphons is excited about this International opportunity. "The 2004-2005 Euro tour will be a milestone in this season, as well as in my career," remarked Ennis. "Having the chance to play hockey against some of Europe's finest teams is an experience of a life time. I am looking forward to the opportunity to experience the culture, the hockey, and the active team bonding. I think this trip will be the key to getting the team on the winning path for the remainder of the 2004-2005 season."
Ennis and Lindsay Trimble (4th Yr. B.Sc., Scarborough, ON.) have been leading the way offensively for the Gryphons in the first half. The two forwards have combined for 11 goals and are among the top ten in scoring in the OUA and inside the top twenty in scoring in the country. While the Gryphons are quite a threat offensively, their defensive play has been solid as well. Guelph has the third best goals against average in the CIS. Third year defender Hayley Anso (B.Sc., Toronto, ON.) and last year's OUA West rookie of the year Bianca Kitts (B.Sc., Nepean, ON.) anchor the Gryphons' defence. The two have been rock solid on the blue line, while goaltender Aleisha Lusk (3rd Yr. B.Sc., Mitchell, ON.) has been outstanding between the pipes during the first half of the season and is amongst the leaders in CIS goalie stats.
"If the beginning of the season is any reflection on the things to come, the 2004-2005 Gryphon season will prove to be the best one yet", said Ennis. "The team has shown a level of talent and dedication that is remarkable. The combination of experienced vets and this year's talented newcomers has proven to be a winning blend. I anticipate a season with many rewarding results as we continue our quest towards a national title. I am very proud to be helping to lead such a great team to what will surely be many more victories".
This years recruiting class has seen the emergence of Elaine Dumas (1st Yr. B.Sc. Waterloo, ON.) from the Cambridge Junior Fury program as she leads the Gryphon rookies in scoring and is tied for the team lead in goals scored. Nicole Latreille (1st Yr. B.A., Ottawa, ON.) from the NWHL's Ottawa Raiders and Arden Sullivan (1st Yr. B.A. London, ON.) from the Provincial Gold Medallist Bluewater Jr. Hawks are right behind Dumas in rookie scoring. All three rookies are off to great starts and will be fun to watch second half.
The Gryphons are excited about their trip to Europe and are looking forward to an exciting second half of OUA competition.
(Source: Dan Church with Chuck Wight)
