Hockey X-Women primed to take next step

Courtesy Corey LeBlanc

ANTIGONISH – Although there remains plenty of youth on the roster, the STFX X-Women hockey program boasts invaluable experience garnered last season, including an appearance in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) final series and a berth in the U SPORTS national championship tournament.

Building on that foundation – one boosted by an infusion of incoming talent – veteran head coach Ben Berthiaume said the White and Blue are primed – once again – to challenge for a conference banner, the program's first since 2020, and make a return to the national stage in 2024-25.

"Everyone is ready to get going," the Antigonish native said, a few days before the puck drop to start the AUS regular season.

That includes the 12 newcomers from last season, one in which the X-Women topped the conference regular season standings with a 21-5-2-0 record, who not only got a "taste of the league," but also a chance to compete against Canada's best in university varsity hockey.

"We think we are headed in a great direction," Berthiaume added, noting the strong performance of his line-up during pre-season action, which included a road trip to Montreal.

Noting the importance of staying healthy – the X-Women were bitten by the injury bug heading into the AUS best-of-three final series versus the UNB Reds in 2024 – he said that the "big focus" this season will be on "getting better each day," with an eye towards peaking down the stretch and into the post-season.

"We have a lot of work to do, but we are off to a great start," Berthiaume added.

As for keys to success for the White and Blue, he pointed to "taking advantage of our speed, especially up front," as an important ingredient.

Berthiaume said, "We want to always be on the puck," while stressing the importance of being "hard to play against," on both ends of the ice.

Crucial to the success of any hockey team defensively, of course, is performance between the pipes; heading into this season, the former X-Men blue-liner started with the word "interesting" to describe the X-Women's situation, considering the program has four goaltenders on the roster.

"Everyone has played really, really well," Berthiaume said, noting that each one has gotten an opportunity in the crease during the pre-season.

The foursome includes Amaya Giraudier (Assiniboia, SK), Brooklyn Oakes (Richmond Hill. ON), Bianca Zak (Stonewall, MB) and Jorja Burrows (New Glasgow, NS).

"We will see how it turns out," Berthiaume added of the eventual breakdown of playing time.

Noting the group goes seven-deep, he described the White and Blue defense corps as "solid from top to bottom."

It includes fourth-year seniors Terryn Mozes (Kanata, ON) – who is entering her second campaign in White and Blue, after transferring from Syracuse University, Vivian Hinch (Vancouver, BC) and Ella VandeSompel (London, ON); junior Kya Moss (Port Moody, BC), along with sophomores Lainey Joyce (Vancouver, BC), Bree MacPherson (Antigonish, NS) and Mackenzie Lothian (Alliston, ON), who was named to the AUS all-rookie squad last season.

"We expect to have a very strong 'D'," Berthiaume added, agreeing that it will feature plenty of skill on both ends of the ice.

Reiterating their focus on capitalizing on "the speed of our forwards," he noted that – even with their veteran experience – that position for the X-Women remains "fairly young."

Homegrown product Landyn Pitts (Antigonish, NS), who Berthiaume said has been a "big part of the process," when it comes to helping build this young and improving X-Women roster into a championship calibre one, returns up front for her fourth varsity campaign.

"Landyn is looking really good," he added of the STFX leader's performance in the pre-season.

Kamdyn Switzer (Stittsville, ON), another fourth-year forward, will also be an important piece for the X-Women, on and off the ice, according to Berthiaume.

That duo, with 15 points apiece, tied for fifth on the team in point in 2024.

"We are expecting big things from her," he offered of forward Anna MacCara (Yellowknife, NWT), the lone fifth-year student-athlete on the STFX roster, who placed third in X-Women scoring last season, with 18 points.

The youth at forward includes sophomore Ireland McCloskey (Barrie, ON), who the X mentor predicted is ready for a "breakout" season. She made her mark last season, finishing second in X-Women regular season scoring with 26 points – 13 goals and 13 assists, which helped earn her a spot on the AUS all-rookie team.

Tea Pearce (Calgary, AB), another second-year forward, is also expected to be a key contributor.  She placed fourth on the team last season with 16 points.

When it comes to first-year X-Women expected to make an immediate impact, Berthiaume pointed to Burrows, who backstopped the Northern Subway Selects U18 'AAA' squad to a Maritime Major Female Hockey League crown and a berth in the Esso Cup national championship tournament in 2024.

"She has been excellent so far," Berthiaume said of her pre-season effort, noting that she will see action as a freshman.

First-year forward Claire Carruthers (Crossfield, AB) will add an infusion of speed and skill up front, while Alexis Perry (Brooklin, ON) – a junior transfer from Holy Cross College, who the X mentor called "highly skilled" – will provide a boost at the forward spot on the left wing.

"We have a great group – one that we are really excited about," Berthiaume said.

The X-Women will drop the puck on the AUS regular season with a swing through New Brunswick this weekend, including match-ups with the Mount Allison Mounties in Sackville on Friday, Oct. 4, and St. Thomas Tommies on Saturday, Oct. 5, in Fredericton. Game time for both tilts with 7 p.m. ADT.

STFX will host the Dalhousie Tigers in their home opener on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. ADT, at the Keating Centre on campus.

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