±«ÓãÖ±²¥ quartet headed for Vancouver Olympics
Ìý
(LEFT TO RIGHT: Charline Labonté, Catherine Ward, Kim St-Pierre, Peter Smith)
Ìý
MONTREAL - Goaltender Charline Labonté of the ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ Martlets and three graduates from the Montreal-based university, were officially named Monday by Hockey Canada as part of the Canadian Olympic women's hockey team for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C.
Ìý
Labonté, a 27-year-old native of Boisbriand, Que., will be joined by Catherine Ward, a 22-year-old from Town of Mt. Royal, Que., who graduated last spring as the top-scoring defenceman in ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ history and 31-year-old goaltender Kim St-Pierre of Châteauguay, Que., who starred with the Martlets from 1998 to 2004, including a brief stint with the men's varsity team in her final season. ÌýEach earned CIS all-Canadian honours while playing for the Martlets. The other ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ grad on the squad is Peter Smith, currently on a one-year sabbatical from his head coaching duties with the Martlets, to serve as an assistant coach with Team Canada, who will attempt to win their third-straight gold medal at the Olympics, having done so in 2002 (Salt Lake City, Utah) and 2006 (Turin, Italy).
Ìý
"We are extremely happy and proud for Kim, Charline and Catherine," said Amey Doyle, interim head coach of the No.1-ranked Martlets who have won 67 consecutive games against Canadian university opponents, equaling the CIS record. "They have worked very hard and are well deserving of such an honor. We know that they will represent our country with pride. The Martlets wish the girls the very best in their continued preparation for the games."
Ìý
The Canadian roster is composed of five members who played at the CIS level, including Jayna Hefford (Toronto Varsity Blues) and Colleen Sostorics (Calgary Dinos).
Ìý
A dozen other players are products of NCAA programs (Sarah Vaillancourt and Jennifer Botterill, Harvard; Carla MacLeod and Meaghan Mikkelson, Wisconsin; Becky Kellar, Brown; Gina Kingsbury, St. Lawrence; Tessa Bonhomme, Ohio State; Meghan Agosta, Mercyhurst College; Rebecca Johnston, Cornell; Cherie Piper, Dartmouth; Caroline Ouellette and Haley Irwin, Minnesota-Duluth) and two come from junior college teams, including ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ Marie-Philip Poulin (Dawson College) and goalie Shannon Szabados (Grant MacEwan College).
Ìý
"We're excited today to announce the 21 players who will go for gold in Vancouver," Melody Davidson, head coach of the national women's team, said in a prepared statement. "Our country is fortunate to have unbelievable depth in hockey and this is no different in the women's game. The selection process has been difficult, which speaks to this depth."
Ìý
Hayley Wickenheiser of Shaunavon, Sask., was named captain of the squad, while Jayna Hefford of Kingston, Ont., and Caroline Ouellette of Montreal, Que., will serve as alternate captains.
Ìý
The Olympic hockey tournament opens on Feb. 13, 2010, with the Canadian women facing Slovakia at Canada Hockey Place. The UBC Thunderbird Arena will be home to Canada's remaining two round-robin games, with the medal round slated to be held at Canada Hockey Place. The gold medal game will be on Feb. 25, 2010.
Ìý
The Canadian team will have a holiday break from Dec. 22-27 before travelling to St. Paul, Minn., for a game against the United States on Dec. 30. Canada and the USA will complete a six-game pre-Olympic series on January 1, 2010 in Ottawa
Ìý
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PLAYERS NAMED TO CANADA'S WOMEN'S OLYMPIC HOCKEY TEAM <>
Ìý
NOTE TO MEDIA:
All interview requests can be directed to Chris Jurewicz (403-880-5819, cjurewicz [at] hockeycanada.ca) or Kristen Lipscombe (403-826-4819, klipscombe [at] hockeycanada.ca).
Ìý
Ìý
SOURCE:
Communications Officer
Athletics & Recreation
±«ÓãÖ±²¥
475 Pine Avenue W.,
Montreal, QCÌý H2W 1S4
CANADA
514-398-7012 (Tel.)
514-398-1956 (Fax)
Ìý
Ìý