News

The Manitoba Bison women's hockey team looks ahead to the 2009-10 season by announcing three new recruits. Bisons head coach Jon Rempel is pleased to announce the commitment of Caitlin MacDonald, Tara Lacquette and Kristin Cockerill to the Bison program for the following season.

 

MacDonald, 16, is a skilled 5'8” defenceman finishing her prep school hockey with the Balmoral Hall Blazers. She is the current captain of the Blazers and has been with Balmoral Hall since grade 10. In her first year with Balmoral, she was chose Most Improved Players as the youngest player on the team. The Winnipeg native has also played for Team Manitoba in both 2007 and 2008. Prior to Balmoral, she played for the St. Mary's Academy Flames who won the city championships. Her hockey resume includes 2 years in the ‘AA' league before age advancing to the midget level with the APHA Rangers where they won City and Provincial Championships and placed second at the Western Canadian Championships.

 

Rempel commented, “Caitlin is one of the best young defenders in this province. She has tremendous physical skills and her upside is unlimited. At only 16 years old, she is already a two-time member of Team Manitoba and also wears the "C" at Balmoral Hall, a testament to her leadership abilities, her maturity and her ability to play the game. The coaching staff is very pleased that Caitlin has decided to pursue her academic and athletic career at the University of Manitoba and we are excited to have her as part of our program for the next five years.”

 

Lacquette, 17, is a top goalie prospect coming from Westman Wildcat Regional Female Midget Team. The Mallard, MB native was part of the Team Manitoba U18 team at the last two Nationals (2008 and 2007) and was invited to Hockey Canada's Identification camp during June 2008. In the 2007-08 season, the 5'5” goaltender received the MVP award for the 2008 ‘AAA' Comets Classic tournament; won League with Parkland Panthers and selected the MVP and Top Goaltender award at Midget boys Provincials. In addition, Lacquette won Midget boys Provincials and League with Winnipegosis Tigers in 2006-2007 season. She has also been a member of the Parkland Panthers since the 2002-03 season.

 

Rempel enthused, “"Tara is one of the best young goalies in the province and in Canada. Her work ethic, desire to improve and character are all things that will make her transition to University hockey and our Bison program a smooth one. Tara will do whatever it takes to help her teammates and also do the all of the things she needs to in order to achieve her personal goals. Tara is also an outstanding student who has lofty academic goals and wants to prepare herself for her future at Manitoba. Our coaching staff is very excited at having Tara as part of our program for the next five years and having the opportunity to help her achieve her athletic and academic goals.”

 

Cockerill, 17, is a accomplished 5'8” right/left defenceman finishing her prep school hockey with the Balmoral Hall Blazers. She has been with Balmoral Hall since grade 10 and was chose Most Improved Players in grade 11 year. The Selkirk, MB native has also played for Team Manitoba in 2008. Also in summer of 2008, playing for her summer team Reece's Pieces and part of championship of the U19 American Division Tier 1 International Cup Tournament. Prior to Balmoral, her hockey resume includes being part of U16 Champions of the Minnesota Wild Tournament May 2006 (U14 age) - Manitoba Lightning Summer ‘AAA ‘; U14 Champions of the Subway Classic Tournament May 2006 - Manitoba Lightning Summer ‘AAA'; U16 Champions of the Minnesota Meltdown Tournament April 2006 (U14 age) - Manitoba Lightning Summer ‘AAA'; City Champions - Selkirk Fishermen Bantam ‘AA' 2005-06 Season; Named to Bantam ‘AA' All-Star team 2005-06; U14 Champions of the Minnesota Meltdown 2005 (Team Captain) - Manitoba Lightning Summer ‘AAA'; City Championship Finalist - Selkirk Fishermen Bantam ‘AA' 2004-05 Season.

 

Cockerill is also an accomplished runner who made Top 10 in Provincial Cross Country Championships in Fall 2007 and Provincial High School Championships silver medal performance in the 3000m in 2007. Plus, she completed grade 11 and 10 year with Honors.

 

Rempel said, “"Kristin has improved tremendously over the last couple of years and is going to have an immediate impact in the Bison lineup next season with her physical style of play and high-energy tempo. Kristin is a team-oriented player with great character and leadership abilities that has gained a lot of valuable experience at Balmoral Hall and with Team Manitoba playing against other high level players from high level programs. An excellent student-athlete, Kristin will be a great addition to the Bison program.”

 

Bison women's hockey notes: The #3 ranked Bison women's hockey team (14-0-0) hosts a six team non-conference tournament at the start of the New Year. Manitoba will play #2 ranked Wilfrid Laurier (15-0-0) on Friday, January 2 at 7 p.m. The Bisons will then battle the Minnesota Thoroughbreds on Saturday, January 3 at 11:30 a.m. prior to playoff round on Jan. 3 evening. Other teams involved are Lethbridge, Regina and Balmoral Hall. The gold and bronze medal games are scheduled on Sunday, January 4 at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. All games held at the Max Bell Arena.