2023-24 Mount Royal Cougars women's hockey team

Adrian Shellard

General 9/27/2023 2:24:00 PM Ethan Bomhof

Women's Hockey 2023-24 Season Preview

The defending U SPORTS National Champion MRU Cougars women's hockey team will open up their season on the road on September 29th when they take on the University of Regina Cougars. Following a couple of games in Saskatchewan, MRU will return home to Flames Community Arena on October 6 to raise their championship banner before hosting the University of Alberta Pandas. Fans won't want to miss this historic moment and can purchase tickets now.

Cougars Women's Hockey Canada West TV

Every women's hockey game will be available live and on demand this season exclusively on Canada West TV – the official streaming home of the conference. To purchase your pass, click here.

2023-24 CW Women's Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll

Team - Points (First-place votes)

UBC Thunderbirds - 72 (8)
Mount Royal Cougars - 60
Alberta Pandas - 59 (1)
Saskatchewan Huskies - 49
Calgary Dinos- 47
Manitoba Bisons - 39
Trinity Western Spartans - 27
Regina Cougars - 22
MacEwan Griffins - 20

2022-23 CW Regular Season Record:

19-6-3

2022-23 CW Regular Season Division Placement:

3rd overall

2022-23 Post-Season Performance:

Lost in game 3 of CW Championship Final vs. UBC
Won U SPORTS National Championship vs. Concordia

2023-24 Season Opener

September 29, 2023 at Regina Cougars

2023-24 Home Opener

October 6, 2023 vs. Alberta Pandas

Head Coach / # season / Career CW reg. season record:

Scott Rivett: 15th season, 113-142-28

Last U SPORTS Championship / Total U SPORTS Championships:

2022-23 / 1 total U SPORTS Championship

2022-23 CW regular season ranks: Offence

76 Goals, 2nd overall

2022-23 CW regular season ranks: Defence

47 goals against, 3rd overall.

2022-23 CW regular season leaders: Goals (Returning)

10 - Aliya Jomha

2022-23 CW regular season leaders: Assists (Returning)

17 - Emma Bergesen

2022-23 CW regular season leaders: Points (Returning)

26 - Aliya Jomha

2022-23 CW regular season leaders: Wins (Goalies)

15 - Kaitlyn Ross

2022-23 CW regular season leaders: Shutouts (Goalies)

6 - Kaitlyn Ross

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team)

Summer Fomradas / Defence / 1st / Lafleche, SK / Swift Current Wildcats
Jerzey Watteyne / Forward / 1st / Lethbridge, AB / Calgary Fire

Key Departures (Name /position / hometown / years with program)

Tatum Amy / Forward / Birtle, MB / 5
Courtney Kollman / Forward / Calgary, AB / 3
MacKenzie Butz / Defence / Sherwood Park, AB / 5
Laura Cook / Defence / Nepean, ON / 5

Key Performer: Kaitlyn Ross

Cougars goaltender Kaitlyn Ross will lead the 2023-24 team after putting up one of the best seasons we have ever seen from an MRU netminder. Ross's play down the stretch was a key reason for Mount Royal taking home U SPORTS gold. The fourth-year psychology student already has her name all over the MRU women's hockey record book and registered staggering numbers last season, including nine total shutouts and a goals-against-average of 1.41. With a full year ahead of her, the Redcliff, AB local has the opportunity to further her incredible play and gives the Cougars a very good chance to bring home even more hardware.

Season Preview

Last season was a dream for Mount Royal's women's hockey team as it culminated with the program's first U SPORTS National Championship. However, it's a new season for MRU. As soon as the team finishes watching the banner be lifted to the rafters prior to their home opener on October 6, it will be a new opportunity to chase glory again.

The Cougars will be faced with the challenges of a few key departures. Canada West Female Athlete of the Year and former Cougars captain Tatum Amy graduated from the team and signed with Leksands IF of the Swedish Women's Hockey League. Amy's linemate, Courtney Kollman, has also played her last game with the Cougars and will be playing a final year with the Calgary Dinos. Having graduated defenders Laura Cook, MacKenzie Butz, and Tori Williams, the Cougars will have to fill in the vacant spots on the blue line.

Despite line up changes, there are many remaining leaders who will push the team this year. Aliya Johma has shown that she is more than capable of taking on a leading role and put up 12 goals in the regular season last year. Fans also witnessed multiple skaters who could move up into a bigger role this year, including feisty forwards Sydney Benko, Ava Metzger, Lyndsey Janes, and Athena Hauck. The Cougars remain extremely deep and boast skill and grit to compete at the highest level.

On the back end, the defending champs are led by none other than Emma Bergesen. The Norwegian was dominant on the blue line and has shown no signs of slowing down. New recruit Summer Fomradas is expected to step up and fans can also expect to see Alexandria Spence and Abbey Borbandy logging heavy minutes for the Cougars.

Despite losses to the roster that took home national gold last season, the Cougars are poised to have another riveting season that features fast-paced offence, stifling defence, and superb goaltending.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#16 Tatum Amy: Forward; 5' 8"; Third Year

#6 MacKenzie Butz: Defence; 5' 6"; Second Year

#24 Laura Cook: Defence; 5' 5"; Second Year

#15 Tori Williams: Defence; 5' 7"; Second Year

#12 Lyndsey Janes: Forward; 5' 4"; First Year

#23 Emma Bergesen: Defence; 5' 5"; First Year

#29 Athena Hauck: Forward; 5' 7"; First Year

#32 Kaitlyn Ross: Goalie; 5' 6"; First Year

#44 Courtney Kollman: Forward; 5' 4"; Fourth Year

#8 Sydney Benko: Forward; 5' 6"; Third Year

#5 Abbey Borbandy: Defence; 5' 4"; Third Year

#25 Aliya Jomha: Forward; 5' 5"; Third Year

Players Mentioned

#16 Tatum Amy
: 5' 8"; Third Year
: Forward

#6 MacKenzie Butz
: 5' 6"; Second Year
: Defence

#24 Laura Cook
: 5' 5"; Second Year
: Defence

#15 Tori Williams
: 5' 7"; Second Year
: Defence

#12 Lyndsey Janes
: 5' 4"; First Year
: Forward

#23 Emma Bergesen
: 5' 5"; First Year
: Defence

#29 Athena Hauck
: 5' 7"; First Year
: Forward

#32 Kaitlyn Ross
: 5' 6"; First Year
: Goalie

#44 Courtney Kollman
: 5' 4"; Fourth Year
: Forward

#8 Sydney Benko
: 5' 6"; Third Year
: Forward

#5 Abbey Borbandy
: 5' 4"; Third Year
: Defence

#25 Aliya Jomha
: 5' 5"; Third Year
: Forward