(RDP Athletics)

By rdnewsNOW staff

season opener goes oct. 4

Queens hockey club aiming for championship, but also to have fun

Oct 2, 2024 | 1:02 PM

Provided by RDP Athletics — While winning an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Women’s Hockey gold medal is a goal of Kelly Coulter, Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Queens Hockey Head Coach, it’s not his only focus.

“Winning a championship is always a nice way to end the season, but we want the student-athletes to also have fun and grow as people,” says Coulter, an ACAC Coach of the Year.

Coulter added eight new recruits to the RDP Queens, who won bronze last year after getting edged by the NAIT Ooks in the best-of-three semi-final. Forwards Grace Millar, Fiona Sirovyak, Mia McGregor and Karli Kutchinski have joined the Queens. The Polytechnic’s defensive corps have gained Emily Hourie, Penelope Johnson, Addison Longmore and Avery Winchell.

“The new student-athletes want to learn and compete, but the biggest impression they’ve made so far is their commitment to physical fitness,” adds Coulter, who has led the Queens to three ACAC Championships since he assumed head coaching duties in 2015/2016. “So, we have been able to spend more time on our systemic play and incorporating these new student-athletes into our team.”

Three of the top four point producers from last year’s squad have returned to the RDP Queens’ forward ranks. With leading scorer and captain Avery Lajeunesse (21 points) graduating, Julie Wagner (18 points), Alli Soyko (17 points) and Jailyn Bablitz (16 points) will help to lead the offence. Hayley Kolosky, Arilyn Toews, Victoria Longley, Chloe Belter, Tasha Barsby, Molly Flynn, Camryn Ward and Rylee Mepham are also back up front.

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Kyla Hansel (Pharmacy Technician Diploma), Kaedence Mollin (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and Sarah Raymond (Bachelor of Education) have returned on defence. Tora Ward and Izzy Palumbo are back in goal after having exceptional 2023/2024 seasons. Saskatoon’s Ward (0.91) and Golden’s Palumbo (1.40) ranked first and second respectively in goals against average in ACAC Women’s Hockey.

Coulter will rely on the veteran players to help guide the new student-athletes this year.

“I commend our returning players. They have worked very well with our first years, getting them accustomed to playing Queens Hockey,” says Coulter. “Our leadership group consists of Jailyn, Izzy, Kyla, Rylee and Kaedence. Each player brings a unique personality and perspective.”

During eight exhibition games, the RDP Queens earned an impressive 7-1 record as they prepared for the 2024/2025 ACAC season.

On Friday, October 4, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens will host the Olds College Broncos at 7 pm to kick off the new campaign.

“Olds is a patient team and defends well. When we attack off the transition with speed against them, it’s always to our benefit,” notes Coulter. “We also want to be more efficient on our power play, putting more pucks to the net and creating scoring chances.”

Season ticket packages to watch RDP Queens Hockey are on sale.

For more information about the Queens, and all RDP teams, visit rdpolytechathletics.ca.

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