She has a year of CIS hockey behind her and now, Chandy Kaip has her first recruiting class. Kaip, head coach of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's hockey team, announced the recruitment of six players for the 2009-2010 Canada West hockey season, Thursday afternoon.
A total of three forwards and three defencemen have committed to the program for the fall as the club looks for a return to the post-season after a two-year hiatus.
Highlighting the group of incoming freshmen is Jenna-Marie Durnin, a member of the recently crowned National Midget Champion Westman Wildcats. At the inaugural ESSO Cup – Female National Midget Championship, Durnin scored six goals in six games, including two in the finals, one of which was the game-winning tally. She also scored the game-winning goal in the Wildcats' semifinal victory.
The Wawanesa, Man. native was an offensive force for the Wildcats this past season, scoring 31 goals and adding 30 assists in 52 games leading up to the ESSO Cup.
"Jenna-Marie is a quick, agile player that will work hard at both ends of the ice," says coach Kaip. "She will be a strong asset for us this upcoming season."
Calgary native Jasmin Teske, another participant in the inaugural ESSO Cup, is a key recruit on the blue-line. The 5'5" defender was a member of the bronze medal winning Calgary Flyers.
"Jasmin is a strong competitor and is tough in the corners," says Kaip. "She is very confident with the puck and will add a lot to our blue-line."
Also joining the Horns blue line next season is a pair of towering defenders. Cheyne Ogilvie, of Pense, Sask. joins the Horns via the highly successful Swift Current Wildcats, while Glenda Edie joins the Horns from the Edge Academy in Calgary. Both girls check in at 5'11'' and should add a formidable presence to the Horns' back end.
Joining Durnin in the forward ranks is Kelowna Rocket product Taryn Cook and Team Saskatchewan member Vanessa Fusick.
Last season, the Horns finished sixth in Canada West play with a 4-19-1 record, eight points out of the final playoff spot. A young team, the Horns did manage to earn one more win than the previous season and will potentially return 20 players from the 2008-09 squad.
The Pronghorns will open the Canada West season Oct. 9-10 on the road versus the Saskatchewan Huskies, with their home opener the following weekend, hosting the Regina Cougars, Oct. 16-17.