McGill quartet to play for Canada at China Games
By Earl Zukerman, McGill & Michel BĂ©langer, CIS
MONTREAL – Four members of the No.1-ranked McGill Martlets have
been named by Canadian Interuniversity Sport among the 20 CIS
players who will make up Canada’s debut entry in women’s 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’s squad, which for the Harbin games is an
all-star selection from the Canada West conference, the women’s
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 McGill’s 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’s most improved
player in her rookie campaign and was named as McGill’s player of
the game in the CIS gold medal contest against Laurier last
spring.
A number of other high-profile McGill players, such as goaltender
Charline Labonté, 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.
“I wouldn’t say there’s increased expectation, because every time
Canada suits up in women’s hockey, the expectation is to win gold,”
said Church. “I would say there’s an increased level of excitement
leading up to the tournament. It’s great that women’s 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.”
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.
“It’s hard not to be impressed when you look at some of the
accomplishments of these players,” noted Church. “We’ve got nine
players heading to China who’ve won a CIS national championship,
five of the girls have been recognized as their conference player
of the year, and we’ve got the reigning CIS player of the year on
the team.”
Canada’s participation in the Universiade is managed by the CIS
International Programs.
Team Canada website:
2009 Winter Universiade website: