Sam Nahrgang - NAIT Athletics
EDMONTON, Alta. – The NAIT Ooks women's hockey team is set to take to the ice in their season opener on Friday night, as they host the defending ACAC Champion MacEwan Griffins in an early rematch of the 2019 ACAC Championship series.
The Ooks come off of a strong 2018-2019 campaign, where they saw a lot of change. The most notable change was the hiring of new head coach Stefanie Thomson. Thomson took over the team in late August and was forced to adapt quickly while trying to implement her team structure and values.
Thomson did an exceptional job in her first season as head coach. NAIT finished first in regular-season play with a 19-2-3 record. The high flying Ooks went on to sweep the Olds College Broncos 2-0 in the semi-finals, only to fall just short to the MacEwan Griffins in the ACAC finals.
"Last season was an important turning point for the program. The players created a team-first attitude that was conducive to winning. We had a tonne of fun, worked hard, and got better every single week," said Ooks head coach Stef Thomson. "Unfortunately, we didn't get the final result we wanted, but it's a great learning experience and help us stay hungry moving forward."
This season the Ooks have a solid core of returning players, including Captain Brittney Savard, fifth-year Julia Wing, third-year Megan Leblanc, second-year goaltender, and reigning ACAC Rookie of the Year Kaitlyn Slator. The Ooks are getting back fifth-year forward Livia Lučová after taking the past two seasons off. NAIT is welcoming 11 promising new players to the team as well, including Red Deer College Queens transfer Bre Martin, NAX forwards Cassidy Shandro and Michaella Kibblewhite, and Defender Treasure Posch of the Edmonton Wolves.
"Having a good group of returning players should help the first-years coming in get acclimated to the culture and what It takes to succeed," said Thomson. "We have made it clear that although we found success last year, it is a fresh start, and we have to focus and work to continue down a path of success."
The team has competed in several exhibition games against the Edmonton Wolves and Edmonton Pandas in preparation for the upcoming campaign. The Ooks also traveled to the Saskatoon, where they face the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in two games. Their final preseason game was last weekend in Fox Creek, Alberta, where they fell MacEwan 4-3.
"The preseason was great for us. Our newcomers have already made a positive impact. We have built a lot fo good chemistry which will only help us in continuing to elevate our team culture and success moving forward," said Thomson
The Ooks open up their season this Friday as they host the MacEwan Griffins in the NAIT Arena at 7:00 pm. They will then travel down 109st to MacEwan University on Saturday at the Downtown Community Arena, puck drop 6:00 pm.
"We have a hardworking and talented group. I think if we focus on attention to detail and can maintain a consistent work ethic, we can find success this year," said Thomson.