The Mount Royal Cougars emerged triumphant in Canada West women's hockey, securing two major awards that underscore their dominance on the ice. Scott Rivett, the Head Coach, earned the prestigious Canada West Women's Hockey Coach of the Year honor, while Emma Bergesen, clinched the title of Canada West Women's Hockey Top Defenceman for the second consecutive year. This dual achievement highlights the Cougars' exceptional individual and collective contributions, solidifying their status as a force to be reckoned with in the conference.

Canada West Women's Hockey Coach of the Year

Scott Rivett, the Head Coach of Mount Royal University's women's hockey team, has been rightfully honored as the Canada West Women's Hockey Coach of the Year, a testament to his exceptional leadership and coaching prowess. Under Rivett's guidance, the Cougars had an outstanding season, playing 28 games with a commendable overall record of 20-7-1, finishing the regular season as the 3 seed. Rivett's strategic acumen is evident in the team's performance, earning a notable second place in goals for with 77.

Notably, the Cougars, under Rivett's coaching, displayed resilience and skill on both ends of the ice, finishing fourth in goals against with only 52 goals conceded. This well-balanced approach contributed to the team's success and earned them a position as a formidable contender in the conference. Rivett's coaching prowess extends beyond the regular season, as evidenced by the team's triumphant victory in the USPORTS championship during the 2022-23 season.

The Coach of the Year accolade is a fitting recognition of Scott Rivett's commitment to excellence and his ability to lead the Mount Royal University women's hockey team to remarkable achievements. His strategic mindset, combined with the team's impressive statistics and championship success, solidifies Rivett's status as a standout coach in Canada West Women's Hockey.

From the Athletic Director:

"Scott is so deserving of the CW Coach of the Year award. He has tirelessly worked on every aspect of our women's hockey program and the fruits of his time, energy, and passion are being rewarded in the 2023-24 season. He is so deserving of being named Coach of the Year and Cougars Athletics and Recreation are extremely proud of him. Congratulations."

- Karla Karch, Mount Royal Cougars Director


Canada West Women's Hockey Top Defenceman

Emma Bergesen, the stalwart defenseman for Mount Royal University's women's hockey team, has earned the prestigious title of Canada West Women's Hockey Top Defenceman for the second straight year, showcasing her exceptional skills on the blue line. In her fourth year as a defenseman, hailing from Stavanger, Norway, Bergesen has proven to be a key asset to the Cougars, contributing both offensively and defensively.

Bergesen's impressive statistics for the season reflect her well-rounded game. In 28 games played, she notched seven goals and 15 assists, accumulating a total of 22 points to lead the conference. Her 12 total power play points were key to helping the Cougars build a lethal 23.8% power play percentage, the highest mark in Canada West. Bergesen's +16 plus-minus rating further emphasizes her defensive capabilities, demonstrating her effectiveness in preventing opponents from scoring.

The Top Defenceman honor awarded to Emma Bergesen is a testament to her excellence in playing a crucial role on the blue line for the Cougars. Her ability to contribute both defensively and offensively, coupled with her impressive statistics, solidifies Bergesen's status as a standout defenseman in Canada West Women's Hockey.

From the Coach:

"Emma being a back to back recipient of this award is a true testament to the player and leader that she is.  Her skill on the ice speaks for itself but it's the relentless work ethic and desire to grow and improve on a daily basis that fuels Emma's success. Emma is a true leader by example, she finds a way to show up for herself and her teammates consistently and is always willing to find small improvements every day. Her impact on our team environment cannot be understated; she brings a level of intensity and joy to practice that many of our younger players aspire to. Emma's skill and ability makes her a game-changer every time she steps on the ice while her commitment, determination, and work ethic make her a vital piece of our roster." 

- Scott Rivett Mount Royal Cougars Head Coach