It’s been a busy, yet rewarding time for RDC Queens hockey head coach Trevor Keeper.
Keeper has been on the recruiting trail for several months and it’s only been the last week or so that he’s been able to sit back, relax and take a look at what his roster should be next season.
And he likes what he sees.
“This was my first opportunity to do my own recruiting and we’ve built a team that the coaching staff can look at and like what we see,” he said.
“It has been a busy time, we’ve been to a number of tournaments from Notre Dame to the Mac’s and talked with a lot of players and it’s falling into place.”
Next year’s edition of the Queens could have 15 returnees, but there’s no guarantee they’ll all stick as the list of newcomers is impressive to say the least.
Four of the newcomers have previous university experience and three of them — defencemen Carlee Ness and Leah Boucher and forward Laura Salomons — are from Central Alberta and played with the Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs.
Ness played three years at Yale and has been accepted into the nursing program and should have two years of eligibility remaining while Boucher comes back after spending four years with St. Francis Xavier University of Halifax. Laura Salomons, who previously played for the Queens and the University of Alberta, was an assistant coach with the Queens, but is also getting into nursing and decided to return to the ice.
“Carlee has one year remaining for sure, but missed one year at Yale because of an injury, so she’s applying to get that reinstated, which should come through.
“Leah is taking a business program and wants to play one more year as does Laura.
“Those three will give us a lot of experience and leadership.”
As well rearguard Sydney Gorzitza, who played midget in Medicine Hat, is also getting into the nursing program after a year at Liondenwood University, who played in the NCAA Division I for the first time last season.
Of the true rookies, four — Jade Petrie, Ashley Graf, Emily Lougheed and Rikki Leonard — played for the Sutter Fund Chiefs.
Graf led the Alberta Major Midget Female Hockey League in scoring with 23 goals and 21 assists in 32 games while Petrie was third at 20-29—49. Lougheed, the third member of the line, had 16 goals and 18 helpers while Leonard, a defenceman, had two goals and eight assists.
“All four are excellent skaters, have good game sense and are gritty,” said Keeper, who plans on using Leonard up front.
“She played forward prior to last season, so she gives us versatility in case we need her on defence.”
Such is the case with former Lloydminster captain Cassidy Holt, who also plays forward and defence.
Overall the Queens will have a strong local flavour with close to one-third of the roster from Central Alberta.
“I believe it’s important for any program to have a strong local base,” said Keeper. “It’s important for the school, the community and the families.”
Two of the other newcomers are goaltender Alex Frisk, who led the Fraser Valley Phantom to the B.C. championship before losing to Edmonton in the Pacific championship, and forward Jessica Anderson of Olds, who is also in nursing. Anderson could have played last year, but didn’t have the time.
Keeper will have a strong base of veterans, led by goaltender Camille Trautman.
“We’re excited to have Camille returning,” said Keeper. “She learned a lot last year and she’s comfortable with the program.”
Keeper will have six players back on defence, including his top pairing of Nikki Connor and Natasha Steblin, while up front 10 players could be back, led by veteran Rachael Hoppins and team scoring leader Jayna Kitchen.
Gone is goaltender Toni Ross, who is going to the University of Regina, but Frisk should make up for her absence.
Keeper liked the fact he’ll have close to 14 forwards and eight defenceman on the roster.
“We needed to add overall depth and depth in scoring and I believe we addressed those issues.”
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com