The Fearless, Frozen Females of Hockey

Quite possibly the most underrated superstar in the game today, Rebecca Johnston had a season to remember with the Calgary Inferno. Her acquisition not only signaled a commitment on the part of the Inferno to significantly upgrade their offensive attack, it reunited her with the likes of Bailey Bram and Haley Irwin, who contributed to Canada’s gold medal win at the 2012 IIHF Women’s World Championships. A record-breaking season with the Inferno not only solidified Johnston’s status as a franchise player in the CWHL, her league-best 37 points made her the finest free-agent signing of the off-season. Not only did she set new franchise scoring records, it set the tone for the finest season in Inferno history. Of note, the club set a new record for most wins in one season, while finishing just two points out of first overall. For her efforts, Johnston was recognized with the CWHL’s Most Outstanding Player Award, beating out fellow nominees such as Toronto’s Natalie Spooner and Bo

As the Montreal Carabins look to return to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national championship game, a unique group of five recruits sets a new precedent. Of note, two of the five players recruited to compete for the Carabins during the 2015-16 CIS women’s ice hockey season shall include two players with prior experience at the university level. Casandra Dupuis is a familiar name among Carabins fans, having competed for the program from 2010 to 2013, which also included the national championship season (2013). Having spent the last two seasons with the Montreal Stars of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL), she appeared in the championship game of the 2015 Clarkson Cup. With two years of university eligibility remaining, she has opted to return to the Carabins, providing a strong leadership role for a program in a rebuilding phase. Joining Dupuis shall be Maude Laramee, a 2014 CIS All-Canadian Second Team selection. Having spent the first three seasons of her

In an accomplished career, Sami Jo Small has experienced many remarkable moments. Whether it was standing between the pipes in international play for Canada or guarding the crease for the Toronto Furies, a team she helped to form, Small’s legacy is significant. None may be as cherished as an arena in her hometown named in her honor.   Preserving her legacy, the dedication of the Sami Jo Small Hockey Facility at the Norberry-Glenlee Community Centre is a unique tribute, while giving younger players in the community a role model to emulate. Such an honor adds to the momentum of the revitalization of the St. Vital community centre, as the soon-to-be refurbished hockey rink and north wing of the centre shall bear Small’s name. Joining Small at the dedication ceremony included the likes of Sean Fedorowich, president of Norberry-Glenlee, and dignitaries such as Councillor Brian Mayes, St. Vital, and Christine Melnick, MLA, Riel. The community of St. Vital, Manitoba helped spar