SASKATOON – Returning to the friendly confines of Merlis Belsher Place for regular season action for the first time in the 2019-20 season, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women's hockey team will face the Alberta Pandas for a pair of games on Friday, Oct. 11 and Saturday, Oct. 12.
With puck-drop in the new facility scheduled for 7 p.m. on both nights,
Steve Kook's 14th season in charge of the Huskies will begin with a showdown between two teams that are expected to be near the top of the conference standings.
One year after finishing fourth in the conference and bowing out in the CW semifinals to the Pandas, the Huskies were ranked third in the Canada West Coaches Preseason Poll, while the Pandas earned the most votes.
Saskatchewan enters the season after a busy exhibition schedule saw them put up a record of 4-2-1, included in that slate was a pair of games against the Pandas. The Huskies won the first game 5-0 before Alberta rebounded the next night to win 3-0.
Splitting a pair of games on the road with the Mount Royal Cougars to start their season, the Huskies will be looking for an early upset against a Pandas squad that dismantled the UBC Thunderbirds to start their season, recording wins of 7-1 and 7-0.
After not having a single graduating player on the roster last year, this will be one of the most experienced teams in the nation in 2019-20. Saskatchewan has eight fifth-year athletes, including
Leah Bohlken who was named a conference first team all-star in 2018-19.
2018-19 CW regular season record: 11-10-5-2, 4th in CW
2018-19 CW post-season record: 2-3, lost CW SF to Alberta
Head coach: Steve Kook (14th season) / 163-149-10 (career CW reg. season record)
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2014 / 1
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: none
2018-19 CW regular season ranks:
- Offence: 46 goals, 5th in CW
- Defence: 43 goals against, 3rd in CW
- Power play: 15.3%, 4th in CW
- Penalty kill: 90.0%, 2nd in CW
2018-19 CW regular season leaders:
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
- Holly Angus / D / 1 / Calgary, AB / Hockey Training Institute
- Miranda Heidt / F / 1 / Saskatoon, SK / Prince Albert Bears
- Kate Ball / F / 1 / Saskatoon, SK / Prince Albert Bears
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Key performer:
Last season
Leah Bohlken turned the corner offensively in what was a breakout campaign for the blueliner. Bohlken registered two goals and three assists during 2017-18, but improved dramatically on her stats from her third year, as she tallied nine goals and five assists to lead the Huskies in both goals and points. Bohlken suited up for the U SPORTS women's hockey All-Stars and Team Canada at the 2019 FISU Winter Universiade this offseason, after being recognized as a Canada West First Team All-Star last season. Bohlken's veteran presence will be counted on heavily in her fifth and final season as a member of the Huskies.
