ANTIGONISH, NS – X-Women hockey head coach David Synishin is pleased to announce the commitment of three forwards, three defense and two goaltenders for the 2017-18 season.
Forwards include Megan Johnston, Emerson Elliott and Patti-Anne Tracey, while new defensemen are Amy Graham, Julia Schmitt and Olivia Lynch. Isla Edmonds and Emily Town are the new goalies welcomed to the StFX line-up.
X-Women head coach David Synishin comments "Each year we try to bring individuals into our program that exemplify what the X-Women hockey program represents, and this year's recruiting class is one that we think that meets those standards and then some."
"Already, these players are exchanging emails and text messages, showing their excitement and commitment to become part of the StFX family. We feel that the culture of our hockey program is in good hands for years to come with this group and our returning players."
Megan Johnston is a 5'2" forward from Goderich, Ont. who has played the past three seasons in the PWHL for the Kitchener-Waterloo Rangers. Johnston is a right winger who will bring speed and offence to the blue and white. She currently is 10th in PWHL scoring with 16 goals and 15 assists in 34 games.
Emerson Elliott is a 5'9" left winger from Aurora, Ont. who plays with the Aurora Panthers of the PWHL. Elliott is currently in her second season with the Panthers and leads her club in scoring. She is also among the top 20 goal-scorers in the league, scoring 25% of Aurora's goals this season. She will bring size and speed, along with an offensive boost to the X-Women.
Patti-Anne Tracey is a 5'7" left-handed forward from Antigonish, N.S. Tracey has played for Team Nova Scotia on many occasions and is currently among the top scorers (second in goals and fourth in points) in the N.S. Midget AAA Female Hockey League with the Northern Subway Selects. Tracey is known for her athleticism, work ethic and leadership qualities, which are highly valued within the X-Women hockey program.
Amy Graham is a 5'11" right-handed stay-at-home defender that comes to the X-Women from Ottawa, Ont. Graham has played the past two seasons with the Nepean Wildcats of the PWHL. So far this season, the Wildcats have won two major tournaments; these experiences should help with Graham's transition to the university game. She shoots the puck well, takes time and space away from opponents, and makes a solid first pass.
Julia Schmitt comes to the blue and white from Kings Edgehill School out of Windsor, N.S. The 5'9" right-handed blue liner hails from nearby Bible Hill, N.S. Schmitt has competed at the U18 national tournament the past two years as a member of Team Atlantic. Known for her tough defending and great attitude, she will be a welcomed member of the X-Women for years to come.
Olivia Lynch is a 5'7" left-handed defense that has played the past three seasons with the Bluewater Hawks of the PWHL. Lynch, a smooth-skating play-maker comes to the X-Women from London, Ont. She has proven to be a versatile player, leading her team in scoring two seasons ago as a forward before moving back to the blue line last year.
Isla Edmonds is a 5'7" left-catching goaltender that comes to the X-Women from Ottawa, Ont. Edmonds plays for the Nepean Wildcats of the PWHL. A technically sound goalie, she has very good fundamentals and positional play. In 24 games this season, Edmonds is 18-5-1 with a goals against average of 1.50. Isla will be studying Human Nutrition at StFX this fall.
Emily Town is a 5'5" goaltender from Gatineau, Que. She currently plays for Hebron Academy in Maine. Town has great form and is also quick on her feet. The X-Women look forward to seeing her abilities in the crease come September.
The X-Women hockey program welcomes these eight recruits and looks forward to the next four years with the blue and white.
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