CALGARY, ALTA. - Emma Bergesen is voted the league's top defender in just her third year in Canada West. Bergesen possesses the vision and poise of a seasoned veteran from the blue line. Those attributes, teamed with her rocket of a slapshot and hockey IQ helped her to 22 points this season, the most in the conference among defenders.

The product of Stavenger, Norway works her way around opponents with ease, while keeping her end of the ice safe from attack. She helped her Cougars to a 19-6-3 record on the season, putting them third heading into playoffs.

Bergesen was a plus nine and powerplay aficionado, notching 10 of her points on the man advantage. A strong team player, Bergesen helps propel her team forward from the back end, leading a defensive core that will look to grow even stronger in the coming years.

"This is a well deserved honour for Emma," Scott Rivett, Cougars women's hockey head coach said. "Her competitive nature and commitment to push herself to get better since she came to MRU four years ago is a great example to all of our players. Emma's attention to detail combined with her natural skill made her an impactful player this entire season in any situation she was put in."