Women’s hockey names new captains
The departure of three veteran captains leaves the women’s hockey team with a mostly new leadership group.
The Gaels announced on June 12 that Morgan McHaffie, the only remaining assistant captain from last year’s squad, will captain the team for the 2013-14 season. She’ll be joined by three new assistants: centre Shawna Griffin and defencemen Danielle Girard and Mary Coughlin.
The four players will try to improve on a season in which the Gaels set a team record in wins and captured the OUA title. This year’s team is relatively young, meaning the captains’ collective experience will be important.
The captaincy is one of many accolades McHaffie has earned. The fifth-year centre was the OUA MVP and leading scorer during the 2011-12 season and was named an All-Canadian last year.
McHaffie currently sits fourth amongst Queen’s players with 122 career points, tied for ninth all-time in the OUA.
Griffin is a two-time OUA champion and recorded seven goals and 20 points last season. The fourth-year also provided a presence in the defensive zone and on special teams.
Third-years Girard and Coughlin were a big part of a defence that allowed an OUA-low 43 goals against. Both players contributed 11 points in 2012-13.
— Sean Sutherland
Former CHLers sign on with men’s hockey
Top junior experience features heavily in men’s hockey’s newest recruiting class.
Seeking to bolster his club’s depth at all positions, head coach Brett Gibson is set to bring in 11 rookies for the upcoming season — including several that will join Queen’s after stints in the Canadian Hockey League.
After matching up from opposing benches at last month’s Memorial Cup, incoming goaltenders Chris Clarke and Kevin Bailie will battle for the Gaels’ starting role. Former netminder Riley Whitlock has exhausted his CIS eligibility after five seasons.
Clarke posted a 13-1-1 record in 2012-13 for the Canadian junior champion Halifax Mooseheads, while Bailie split regular starting duties for the OHL’s London Knights.
Maple Ridge, B.C. native Regan Soquila highlights Gibson’s six-man crop of rookie forwards. The brother of current Gaels forward Jordan Soquila, Regan finished 13th in British Columbia Hockey League (Junior A) scoring in 2012-13.
Fellow first-year forward Jordan Coccimiglio played two OHL seasons from 2009-11, netting 15 career points.
The Gaels finished seventh in the OUA East last season, suffering a first-round playoff sweep to the Carleton Ravens. Queen’s scored just 76 goals, third last overall among 19 teams.
— Nick Faris
Gencarelli announces recruiting class
With several new recruits arriving for the 2013 season, Queen’s men’s soccer team is aiming for a triumphant campaign.
Head coach Chris Gencarelli recently announced a strong group of experienced first-year athletes who are set to join the Gaels in the fall.
Holding the title of 2012 OUA East Division champions after posting an impressive record of 11-1-2, the Gaels have an incredibly strong status to maintain. They scored 34 goals and conceded just eight in the regular season, before losing to McMaster in the league semifinal.
Many of the new recruits have already had a taste of championship success with their previous teams.
Incoming midfielder Rohan Sarna won four Ontario Cup championships with the Erin Mills Eagles from 2009-12, while defender Connor Hannigan won a Double-A British Columbia championship in 2011.
Halifax native Sam Abernathy comes to Queen’s having claimed a Nova Scotia provincial championship with Halifax City Soccer Club. Hailing from the opposite side of the country, Victoria’s Chris Wellsman won a Pacific Coast Soccer League U21 title last season.
— Jordana Goldman
Tags
Men’s Soccer, Men's hockey, sports in brief, women's hockey
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