The NAIT Ooks women's hockey team is coming into the 2022/23 season with a drive to win. The Ooks lost a heartbreaking semi-final series to the Olds College Broncos, leaving them to finish in third in the ACAC.
The NAIT Ooks, led by former Ooks goalie and second-year Head Coach Brendan Jensen, are coming out strong this season. The team has added six new players to its roster, each of which contributes something unique to the team.
"Our incoming class of recruits will help add depth to an already impressive lineup that we're returning from last year. The kind of character people we brought into the 2022 recruiting class will help us for years to come," said Jensen.
The return to normality this season will help the team right off the bat as the athletes were able to train appropriately throughout the summer, something that didn't happen last year due to the pandemic. With the new additions and a better training regimen during the pre-season, the Ooks are looking fresh going into their season opener.
"As a staff, we feel really good about the team we assembled, and throughout the non-conference play, we have been impressed with our play. Ultimately our goal is to be playing on the final day in March with this group," said Jensen.
Although the recruits will help add an extra element to the team, it's the veteran players that everyone should still watch out for this season.
"We are very fortunate to return all four 1st and 2nd team all-stars from last year (Bre Martin, Wynona Creyke, Cassidy Shandro, and Kaitlyn Slator). These four student-athletes will carry a lot of the weight this season, but with our deep support cast of players, you shouldn't sleep on 5th-year forward Cass Lyttle or 2nd-year forward Cheyenna Harden up front," said Jensen.
The 2022-23 women's hockey regular season runs from October 21st to March 4th. The semi-finals begin on March 10th, and the final ACAC Championship winner will be crowned March 24-26.
The NAIT Ooks women's hockey season opener is Friday, October 21st, at 7:00 PM at SAIT. The NAIT Ooks return home for their home-opener on November 4th at 7:00 PM. Catch the action in person, on ACACTV or Telus Optik channel 1998.