CIS team to attend Hockey Canada Development Camp

TORONTO (CIS) Canadian Interuniversity Sport announced Wednesday 22 student-athletes have been invited to attend Hockey Canada's Women's Development Camp, taking place in Calgary, Alta., August 5-14.

The event, which will include a CIS team, serves as a tune-up for Canada's best university players looking to cement their spots for the Canadian women's hockey roster at the 2017 Winter Universiade in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The CIS squad will play four games twice against Canada's Women' Development Program, and a pair of contests against Team Sweden.

The players will also be eligible to be selected for Canada's Women's Development Team's three-game exhibition series against the United States, August 17-20 in Calgary.

The team includes a former CIS player of the year, three players who have won rookie of the year honours, three all-Canadians, and five past members of the all-rookie team.

Returning from the 2015 Universiade squad, Western defenceman Katelyn Gosling (London, Ont.) headlines the roster. Gosling, a three-time CIS all-Canadian and national champion, participated in Hockey Canada's Women's Development and National Team training camps last season.

Adding to the leadership core is Guelph goaltender Valerie Lamenta (Montreal, Que.), the reigning CIS player of the year. Lamenta will share the crease with Waterloo'sStephanie Sluys (Clinton, Ont.).

On the blueline, Gosling is joined by Mustangs teammate Brianna Iazzolino (Thunder Bay, Ont.), Guelph's Katherine Bailey (Lucan, Ont.), Montreal's Maude Laramée(Gatineau, Que.), Regina's Alexis Larson (Weyburn, Sask.), UBC's Kelly Murray (Medicine Hat, Alta.), and Manitoba's Erica Rieder (Regina, Sask.).

Up front, the team features Jessica Cormier (Cap-aux-Meules, Que.) of the defending national champion Montreal Carabins, St. Thomas' Kelty Apperson (New Hamburg, Ont.), Ottawa's Melodie Bouchard (Sept-Iles, Que.) last year's CIS rookie of the year Toronto's Taylor Day (Ilderton, Ont.), Regina's Kylie Gavelin (Mankota, Sask.) andJaycee Magwood (Killarney, Man.), Guelph's Kelly Gribbons (Port Elgin, Ont.), St. FX's Daley Oddy (Cranbrook, B.C.), Waterloo's Rachel Marriott (Waterloo, Ont.), Manitoba's Alanna Sharman (Winnipeg, Man.), Nipissing's Sam Strassburger (Schreiber, Ont.), Alberta's Alex Poznikoff (Edmonton, Alta.), and Saskatchewan's Kaitlin Willoughby (Prince Albert, Sask.).

Behind the bench, University of Guelph head coach Rachel Flanagan will evaluate the talent on display for spots on the 2017 Universiade team. Flanagan will be accompanied by the remainder of her Universiade staff as previously announced in May, including team leader Sarah Hodges (Regina), assistant coaches Kelly Paton(Western) and Shaun Reagan (Waterloo), equipment manager Jean Huynh (McGill), and therapist Natalie Paladino (Guelph).

Team CIS will also have the opportunity to work with Hockey Canada support staff.

"The invitation from Hockey Canada to participate in their summer development camp gives Team CIS a unique opportunity to come together and be evaluated against many of our country's best hockey athletes," said Flanagan. "?The 12 days in Calgary will allow the coaching staff to select a team that we feel will best represent Canada at the Universiade in Kazakhstan, while also giving the athletes a chance to get to know one another ahead of the Games."

TEAM CIS ROSTER

Goaltenders

Defence

Forwards

*Year of eligibility during 2015-16 CIS women's hockey season

TEAM CIS STAFF

Team Leader: Sarah Hodges (University of Regina)

Head Coach: Rachel Flanagan (University of Guelph)

Assistant Coach: Kelly Paton (Western University)

Assistant Coach: Shaun Reagan (University of Waterloo)

Equipment Manager: Jean Huynh (McGill University)

Therapist: Natalie Paladino (University of Guelph)

HOCKEY CANADA SUPPORT STAFF

Goalie Coach: Amanda Tapp

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Nick Westcott

Video Coach: Rick Traugott

Massage Therapist: Lindsay Geiger