Billy Burke
Men’s hockey
Forward Billy Burke of the Queen’s men’s hockey team led the Gaels to three straight victories last week over the Ryerson Rams, University of Toronto Varsity Blues and the Carleton Ravens. Burke recorded two goals in each game, including two game-winning goals, and added another two assists for a total of eight points in the three games.
Queen’s has been hit hard with injuries this season, including the loss of captain Jon Lawrance against the Rams Friday. Head coach Brett Gibson said Burke has increased his level of play to compensate for losing Lawrance and has taken on a greater leadership role as well.
“Bill has really stepped up in the absence of Jon and has been named interim captain for the rest of the year,” Gibson said. “It’s not just the points he’s putting up but the leadership he’s providing for the team.
Gibson described Burke as a hard-working player on the ice but said his selection as interim captain was due to his leadership abilities.
“It’s not just about his play on the ice,” Gibson said. “He is a guy that people want to be around and naturally hover to. We needed someone to step up and lead and he’s been that guy.” Burke followed a path taken by many Canadian children on his way to the Gaels.
“My parents just took me to skating lessons when I was really young, and from there I starting playing minor hockey,” Burke said. “After that, I fell in love with it and have been playing since.” Burke cited the atmosphere around the rink and the interactions with his teammates that kept him hooked on to the game.
“The biggest thing is the guys on the team,” Burke said. “Every team I’ve played on I’ve had a great group of guys. When you have to go to the rink every day it makes it great when it’s with your best friends.”
Burke leads the Gaels in goals this season with nine and is tied for the team lead in points with 16. He said it’s more important to put in a strong effort every game than focus on scoring, though.
“I’m not trying to do too much,” Burke said. “I just try to play hard and win every battle on the ice, and then hopefully my teammates will see me working hard and be inspired them to do the same thing.”
—Anand Srivastava
Colleen Ogilvie
Women’s Volleyball
Last weekend, second-year middle hitter Colleen Ogilvie of the women’s volleyball team put up an impressive 27 kills in two games. The Calgary native recorded 18 kills in the Gaels’ loss to the 15-2 Western Mustangs Saturday and nine more in Friday’s win against the 2-15 Windsor Lancers.
Ogilvie said her impressive numbers were the result of solid team play.
“The passes have to be there in order for me to hit,” she said. “So really, it wasn’t me. It was more of a team thing that happened this weekend as far as having good stats, I guess.”
Ogilvie has taken on a key role with the Gaels this year. She leads the team with 149 kills, 180 points and 19 blocks and also boasts a sparkling .380 kill percentage.
This marks the 10th year Ogilvie has played volleyball. She said she has come a long way in those years and that her play has evolved further since coming to Queen’s.
“I’m playing more as a team member than as an individual,” she said. “I feel a lot more disciplined than I used to be. Just doing the little things right; I think that’s where my biggest improvements have been.”
Ogilvie’s biggest obstacle is her physical health. She said practices have been tough as a result of an injury, but she’s prepared to play in tonight’s game against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues.
“It’s a shoulder injury; we don’t really know what it is yet,” Ogilvie said. “I’ve been seeing a specialist. … It’s kind of been keeping me from practicing.”
Ogilvie said she enjoys her sport, but also loves the Queen’s atmosphere.
“I just really love being on the team here, especially at Queen’s,” she said. “All my teammates are amazing. I love volleyball. I get to play volleyball, do what I love and be with my friends.”
The 9-8 Gaels have a young roster this season, with no fourth- or fifth-year players and just three players in their third year of eligibility. Ogilvie said she’s optimistic about not only the future of the team, but also its chances of making a mark in the playoffs this year.
“It could be a little bit difficult, but I think we have a lot of really good players on the team and a good shot at moving on.”
—Scott Turcotte
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