December 5, 2014

OUA All-Stars take on Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team Sunday morning at North Wentworth Arena in Hamilton

HAMILTON, Ont. – Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is pleased to announce two exhibition games between the Ontario University Athletics Women’s Hockey All-Stars and Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team as part of the national team’s selection camp.

HAMILTON, Ont. – Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is pleased to announce two exhibition games between the Ontario University Athletics Women's Hockey All-Stars and Canada's National Women's Under-18 Team as part of the national team's selection camp.

The two games will take place on Dec. 12 at 7:00 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 11:00 a.m. at North Wentworth Arena in Hamilton, Ont.

Some of the best women's hockey players from around OUA have been selected to represent the conference against Team Canada as the national team prepares for the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's World Championship from Jan. 5-12 at HarborCenter in Buffalo, N.Y.

No one is better represented on the OUA roster than the No. 5-ranked Queen's Gaels, who have five players competing in the exhibition matches. Taryn Pilon (Peterborough, Ont.) is second in OUA in points and is joined with fellow Gaels forwards Fiona Lester (Peterborough, Ont.) and Shawna Griffin (Redwood Meadows, Alta.) OUA's blue line will feature two more Gaels, Mary Coughlin (Amherstberg, Ont.) and Danielle Girard (Sarnia, Ont.).

The No. 3-ranked Western Mustangs, who have not lost a game in regulation this season, are well-represented with four players selected to represent the OUA squad. Forwards Cassidy Gosling (London, Ont.) and Stacey Scott (London, Ont.) are joined by two Mustang defencemen Katelyn Gosling (London, Ont.) and Brianna Iazzolino (Thunder Bay, Ont.). Gosling and Iazzolino rank 1-2 in OUA respectively for points by defencemen.

Three Guelph Gryphons will be making the trip to Hamilton, including goaltender Stephanie Nehring (Oshawa, Ont.), who ranks third in the conference in save percentage and is tied for second in wins. She is joined by teammates Christine Grant (Mississauga, Ont.) and Jessica Pinkerton (Oshawa, Ont.), both suiting up at forward.

OUA's leader in points, forward Lisa Stathopolous (Toronto, Ont.) is representing the York Lions on the roster, as is Lions blueliner Kristen Barbara (Mount Hope, Ont.), who ranks third in points for OUA defencemen.

Rounding out OUA's defence is Waterloo's Stephanie Digness (Aldergrove, Ont.), who is joined by her teammate, forward Rachel Marriott (Waterloo, Ont.).

Windsor Lancers co-leading scorer Jenny MacKnight (Regina, Sask.) will be up front for the OUA All-Stars, as is Bree Polci (London, Ont.), who is known for her strong two-way play.

The Toronto Varsity Blues, Brock Badgers and Laurier Golden Hawks each have one representative on the OUA roster.

For Toronto, it's goaltender Nicole Kesteris (Aurora, Ont.), who ranks second in OUA in wins and has started 11 of the Varsity Blues 12 games so far this season.

Forward Jessica Fickel (Fort Erie, Ont.) represents Brock having averaged a point per game so far in 2014 with 13 points in 13 games.

The Golden Hawks are represented by fifth-year forward Laura Brooker (Fergus, Ont.). Brooker has 8 goals and 7 assists in 14 games this season for Laurier.

The OUA coaching staff is made up of Jim Hunter (Windsor), Shaun Reagan (Waterloo) and Stacey Colarossi (Laurentian). The equipment manager will be Alana Goulden (Ryerson).

The full U-18 Team Canada roster can be found here.

OUA All-Stars Roster

Forwards

Laura Brooker, Laurier

Jenny MacKnight, Windsor

Taryn Pilon, Queen's

Jessica Pinkerton, Guelph

Jessica Fickel, Brock

Lisa Stathopolous, York

Fiona Lester, Queen's

Bree Polci, Windsor

Cassidy Gosling, Western