StFX women’s hockey team is gearing up for the 2009-2010 Canadian Interuniversity Sport season and Coach Dave Synishin has been busy recruiting to replace six departing players.

Gone from the team that hosted the CIS nationals in March are leading scorers Brayden Ferguson and Christina Davis, along with Erin Brophy, Kelly Boudreau, Lindsey Brown and Melissa Murphy.

Among the players making a commitment to the X program is Jenna Downey, who will play defense for the X-Women. Downey played last season with the Bluewater Junior Hawks, a team that faced the X-Women in exhibition action last fall. The blueliner is 5’11” and is a very mobile player according to the X mentor.

“She plays a very good all around game and contributes very well both offensively and defensively,” the X coach said. “She moves the puck very well and is someone we feel will make an impact right away. She’ll be top four for sure. She’ll be a big part of our power play from the point; she shoots the puck well.” The 19-year-old will study Human Kinetics at StFX.

Also joining the X-Women and competing for time on the blueline is Jessica McCullough from Calgary. McCullough will pursue an Arts degree. The 5’11” athlete played at The Edge Hockey Academy last winter. The school also produced current X forward Jessica Shanahan.

“We saw some video of McCullough and received some scouting reports and I think she has the ability to play at this level,” Synishin commented. “She can play physical and I think she’s somebody who will benefit from being on the ice six days a week. According to her coaches she has a very strong work ethic. “She’ll come in fighting for a spot in that top five on defense. I hope she’ll push some of our returning players but at the same time I do think she will need some time to develop.”

StFX will return Suzanne Fenerty, Marilynn Hay, Laura Grant, Allana Deveau and Leah Boucher on the blueline.

Brittney Perkins joins X out of the Ottawa Senators hockey program. Ottawa finished fifth in the 18-team Provincial Women’s Hockey League regular season, with a 21-7-6 record. The 5’7” right winger had 14 goals and 14 assists in 28 games this season.

“The Ottawa team has been very consistent the last few years in the PWHL,” Synishin said. “I think Brittney can complement any of the players on our first three lines. She’s very intelligent on the ice and positionally plays very well. She also brings a great work ethic, is a good skater and will bring intensity to the lineup. Matched with the right person I think she has the ability to put the puck in the net also.”

Abby Laking is a 5’8 left winger who recently concluded her first season with the Waterloo Rangers. “She’s more of a power forward,” Synishin suggested. “She has a good shot, a good, quick release. I think she may take a little time to adjust to the university level but is the type of player who will work hard and gives us another bit body for us up front.”

Also committing to X from the Rangers program is goaltender Katie Greenway. The 5’10” puck-stopper posted a 2.24 goals against average in 15 regular season games. “We’re hoping she comes in and pushes Katie Harvieux,” Synishin said. “Goaltending Coach Martin Lavallee has done a great job with the goalies and so we’re expecting Katie Greenway to progress. She has a very strong work ethic and being on the ice six days a week will help her as well.”

Tyson Beukeboom is a 5’11” center making the transition to the university game from the Whitby Wolves of the PWHL. Buekeboom, daughter of former NHL player Jeff Beukeboom, is a two-sport athlete and will also play rugby for StFX. She is a member of the National Under-20 rugby team.

“She’s another power forward and a hard worker,” Synishin informed. “She can play both center and the wing. For a bigger player Tyson skates well. She’ll practice some with us in the fall but we won’t see her in game action until rugby ends in November. She’s very committed to her strength and conditioning, so she should be ready to go then.”

Synishin said this has been the toughest recruiting year he’s had to date. “That shows the commitment other teams across the country are making,” he commented.

“We’re still looking for one more forward, so we’ll see what happens there. One thing all these players we’ve brought in will bring to the program is a very strong work ethic. That will be important for us because we’re going to be a team that will have to work very hard for the results we get.”

Story courtesy of Gail MacDougall, The Antigonish Casket