ANTIGONISH, NS – The StFX X-Women hockey team have added to their line-up for the upcoming season as head coach David Synishin is pleased to announce five new recruits. Forwards Becky Higgs, Natasha Costello and Kathryn Gotaas, as well as defensemen Santana Gravelle and Lindsey Donovan will join the X-Women roster.
The X-Women lost five players via graduation in forwards Schyler Campbell, Taylor Dale, Catherine Civitarese and Alanna Grossutti, along with Jenna Pitts on defense.
Santana Gravelle is a 5'7" right-handed defenceman from Lumsden, Sask. She played the past three seasons with the Regina Rebels in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA League. A solid defenceman on both sides of the puck, Gravelle was a player that was in high demand at the university level. X-Women head coach David Synishin has many positive things to say about Santana's abilities, commenting "Santana is a well-rounded defenceman who sees the ice well, is a great skater and makes good decisions with the puck. Her passing and shooting are solid as well. There is a lot of upside to Santana's game, and we look forward to having her wear the blue and white next year."
Lindsey Donovan is a left-handed defenceman who comes to StFX from Rothesay Netherwood School of the NAPHA. A native of Miramichi, N.B., Donovan is 5'9", adding some size to the X-Women blue-line. When asked about what Donovan will bring the X-Women, Coach Synishin was quick to mention her skating ability. "Lindsey's skating is high end and looks effortless. She reminds us a lot of Laura Grant, who was a standout defenceman for us for five years."
"We have followed Lindsey's progress closely for the past couple seasons, and realize how calm she is with the puck. She seems to always make the right play, has the ability to rush or make a crisp pass out of our zone and has an above-average shot as well. With Santana and Lindsey coming to StFX in September, we will be adding significant depth on defence and will have two solid players to build around for the future".
The first of three forward recruits for 2016-17 is Becky Higgs from the Bluewater Hawks of the PWHL in Ontario. Higgs is a 5'6" right-handed center from Goderich, Ont. and a former teammate of current X-Women goaltender Carley Molnar. Having played three years in the highly competitive PWHL, Higgs shouldn't have much trouble adjusting to the university game. "Becky is an honest, two-way player," says Synishin. "She competes hard every shift, skates well and has an underrated skill set. She will add energy and intensity to our lineup the moment she sets foot on campus. Beyond her hockey abilities, Becky has a lot of character and maturity, which will also be a bonus to our dressing room dynamic."
The X-Women are pleased to announce the addition of Natasha Costello from Guelph, Ont. to their lineup. Costello is a 5'0" forward who plays with the Cambridge Rivulettes of the PWHL. Before playing in Cambridge, she enjoyed much success at the midget level with the Stoney Creek Sabres. Known for her competitiveness and her high-end speed, Costello has the potential to keep many AUS defenders on their heels. Coach Synishin speaks highly of Costello's abilities, commenting "Natasha will be one of the fastest skaters we've had in our program, which speaks to her foot speed. She competes every shift and plays bigger than her numbers suggest. Over the years, we have tried to build our team around foot speed and competitiveness, and we feel that Natasha fits this mold very well. She should figure into our offence as well, which is always a good thing."
Finally, the X-Women have added forward Kathryn (Kate) Gotaas from Sherwood Park, Alta. Gotaas played Midget AAA with the Sherwood Park Fury the past three seasons. The 5'5" right-handed forward also played with Team Alberta this year at the U18 national championship. When asked what Gotaas can bring to the X-Women lineup, Coach Synishin's first comments were 'speed and skill.'
"Kate has been a point-per-game player the past two years in the Alberta Midget League. Her skill set and quickness should fit in well with our current forward group," says Synishin. Of note, Kate's father Steve Gotaas is a former NHL player, having played with both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota North Stars.
The X-Women coaching staff is excited about these incoming freshmen joining the program and look forward to competing once again for an AUS title in 2016-17.
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