平特五不中

By Earl Zukerman, 平特五不中 & Michel B茅langer, CIS

MONTREAL 鈥� Four members of the No.1-ranked 平特五不中 Martlets have been named by Canadian Interuniversity Sport among the 20 CIS players who will make up Canada鈥檚 debut entry in women鈥檚 hockey at the 2009 Winter Universiade in Harbin, China, February 18-28.

Rearguard Cathy Chartrand of Lac Nominingue, Que., was selected along with centre Vanessa Davidson of Kirkland, Que., plus forwards Caroline Hill of Dorval, Que., and Alyssa Cecere of Brossard, Que. All four are physical education majors.

Unlike the Canadian men鈥檚 squad, which for the Harbin games is an all-star selection from the Canada West conference, the women鈥檚 team is a cross-Canada all-star squad comprised of players from all four CIS conferences. Seven players hail from the Canada West, Ontario University Athletics and the Quebec Student Sport Federation each placed five skaters on the team, while Atlantic University Sport has three representatives.

Davidson, a senior and two-time all-Canadian, is 平特五不中鈥檚 all-time leader in goals, assists and points. Chartrand, a 5-foot-10 sophomore, has previous experience with the national team and was named tournament MVP at the CIS championships last year. Hill, who was invited the 2007 Canadian under-22 training camp, won a sports excellence merit award from the Club de la Medaille d'Or last season. Cecere, a junior, was voted as the team鈥檚 most improved player in her rookie campaign and was named as 平特五不中鈥檚 player of the game in the CIS gold medal contest against Laurier last spring.

A number of other high-profile 平特五不中 players, such as goaltender Charline Labont茅, blueliner Catherine Ward, forward Ann-Sophie Bettez and freshman scoring sensation Marie-Andree Leclerc-Auger, were unavailable due to commitments to both academics and/or the Canadian national team.

Team Canada is led behind the bench by York head coach Dan Church, with Ottawa bench boss Shelley Coolidge and former Ottawa assistant Kim Thompson serving as assistant coaches. Toronto head coach Karen Hughes will handle general manager duties.

While Canada will be among the favourites to win gold in Harbin, Church downplays the existence of any extra pressure heaped on his players as they prepare for the games.

鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 say there鈥檚 increased expectation, because every time Canada suits up in women鈥檚 hockey, the expectation is to win gold,鈥� said Church. 鈥淚 would say there鈥檚 an increased level of excitement leading up to the tournament. It鈥檚 great that women鈥檚 hockey has finally been included as part of the Winter Universiade, and I think the girls realize how special it is to be the first group to represent Canada at that level.鈥�

There is no shortage of talent throughout the lineup as 13 of the 20 Team Canada players are coming off seasons where they were recognized as conference all-stars.

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard not to be impressed when you look at some of the accomplishments of these players,鈥� noted Church. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got nine players heading to China who鈥檝e won a CIS national championship, five of the girls have been recognized as their conference player of the year, and we鈥檝e got the reigning CIS player of the year on the team.鈥�

Canada鈥檚 participation in the Universiade is managed by the CIS International Programs.

Team Canada website:
2009 Winter Universiade website: