Searching for a more dynamic and potent attack, the Nipissing Lakers women’s hockey team has struck gold with a trio of Thunder Bay recruits.
The Lakers have signed forwards Kaley Tienhaara, Sam Strassburger and Bronwyn Bolduc who all played together last season as members of the Thunder Bay Queens midget AA program and will add an offensive flare to the Lakers next season.
Lakers head coach Darren Turcotte said being able to bring in players of this calibre and who have the skill set these three have is going to go a long way in making the Lakers a top team in the OUA.
“We are really excited to get all three. All of them were on our radar for a long time; it took lots of hard work and effort, but we’re excited they decided to come here,” Turcotte said.
Both Tienhaara and Strassburger will be joining the BPHE program at Nipissing, while Bolduc will be studying nursing beginning in September.
On top of their offensive flare, all three are strong leaders – Tienhaara was captain and both Strassburger and Bolduc are currently assistant captains with the Queens.
“I think I can bring a sense of offence to the team. I can bring hard work and just another willing teammate that’s ready to put the team before myself,” Tienhaara said. “My style of play is basically good defence leads to offence. I am the type of person that will always make a pass when it’s needed. I have good hockey sense and I think that’s what brought me to this level.”
Strassburger noted she’s similar in a lot of ways to Tienhaara – and to Bolduc for that matter – but explained that she has her own style which has made her successful to this point in her career.
“I wear my heart on my sleeve and can bring hard work and speed. I work hard, play hard and from that, good things will come,” she said of her style and philosophy. “As a centre, I can bring great defence and I am strong in all three zones and help out the defence.”
An important aspect of the three teammates coming over together is the chemistry they will bring and immediately have when they suit up for the Lakers.
Bolduc feels she plays a strong 200-foot game and competes for every inch of the ice, playing an exciting style offensively, but being disciplined on the defensive side of things.
“I can bring a positive attitude even when the going gets tough. I am able to use my speed and agility on the ice,” she said. “I also like to be a vocal player and a playmaker. I skate hard both ways in order to score goals, as well as stop them.”
While he has been excited to announce all his recruits, Turcotte said this is an excellent crop of student-athletes he’s bringing in and he is looking forward to seeing them in Lakers uniforms in September.
“All three come from a winning program and I have had the chance to see them play and coach against them. They have great skills; they all skate well and know the game. And they can score,” Turcotte explained. “If you look at their team in Thunder Bay, at the box scores, those three are always involved and we hope they can bring that here. They’re smart, reliable on D and it’s exciting to bring them into the program.”
All three of the players will play a key role next season and are looking forward to the challenge and despite entering their first year in the OUA, they all have high expectations for themselves, as well as for the team.
“My expectations are to come to Nipissing in good shape and ready to get out on the ice and play the best I can for my teams and coaches and represent Nipissing and the Lakers well,” Tienhaara said.
A common theme with all three recruits is that they want to be physically ready for the task ahead of them, of competing against some of Canada’s best female hockey players.
They all plan to work hard throughout the summer to make sure they’re in top shape for training camp next season.
“I plan to come to Nipissing and be mentally and physically ready to be the best I can and improve myself and also improve the team,” Strassburger said. “I want to be a good representative to the coaches and to Nipissing University.”
Bolduc is counting on gelling quickly with her teammates and becoming a close-knit group which is going to make the team and program better.
“I have expectations to grow as an individual and as a group of girls and hopefully build the program and improve the rankings and standings,” Bolduc explained. “I hope to improve my skills and hopefully make myself and the team stronger.”
All three recruits noted how nice and how important it is that they will be joining the team together and that’s something Turcotte said is important too, having that comfort level as they enter the OUA.
“It will be easier for them to adjust being friends, but we’re confident they’ll make new friends easily within the team and school,” Turcotte said. “We’re really happy with the cohesiveness of the team. Adding new girls with the girls from last year, it should be a smooth transition for everyone.”
This brings the total number of recruits Turcotte has signed who will begin next season on the Lakers up to 10, with each bringing their own set of skills to the table.
Now, the soon-to-be second year coach is looking forward to seeing all the off-season work translate to on-ice success.