Anna Purschke, a fifth year Mount Royal University women's hockey player will represent Canada at the 30th FISU Winter Universiade , held from December 11-12 in Lucerne, Switzerland. U SPORTS announced on Tuesday that a total of 102 student-athletes split across nine teams from seven sports will travel to Switzerland to take part in the event, originally scheduled for January 2021. 

Canada will compete in ice hockey (W & M), curling (W & M), alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, snowboarding and short track speed skating. This is the first FISU Universiade since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, some 144 people will be exhibiting the Maple Leaf in and around Lucerne, including coaches and mission staff. 

"We are thrilled to have this exceptional group of student-athletes, coaches, and staff heading to Switzerland for what is sure to be an outstanding experience", said Ben Matchett, Team Canada's Chef de Mission. "It is always an honour to wear your nation's colours, and we know that Team Canada will represent our country with pride at Lucerne 2021."

Purschke, a product of Sherwood Park, Alta. heads to Lucerne after a strong start to the season with the Cougars. The 5-foot-6 forward has collected 3 points (1G-2A) in seven games and looks to continue this success with her Canadian teammates.  

"As a little kid, I dreamed about getting to put on the maple leaf so I am beyond excited to get that chance in Switzerland," Purschke said. "I am so honoured to be able to represent MRU on a National stage and I am really looking forward to the opportunity of playing with some amazing girls across the country." 

This is the first time in nearly 50 years that the FISU Winter Universiade will be held in Switzerland, as the 1962 competition took place in Villars. In 2019, Canada won five medals in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, including one gold, two silver and two bronze. The best Canadian medal count was in Belluno, Italy in 1985 (18 medals; 5 gold, 5 silver, 8 bronze).
 
The Lucerne 2021 Opening Ceremony will take place on December 11 at 7:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. EST, 10:30 a.m. PST). However, curling and ice hockey matches will occur in the days leading up to the official opening.