The upcoming Canadian university women's hockey season is set to welcome a wave of talent as more than 40 former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I players announce moves to U SPORTS programs for the next campaign.
Among the newcomers, Jill Hennessy stands out as the league's top scoring NCAA transfer this season, having recorded 26 points in 26 games for Nipissing, while Samantha Morrison, who previously skated for St. FX after two years at Maine, is expected to make an immediate impact.
Programs Reinforced by NCAA Transfers
Powerhouses such as the University of Waterloo and the University of Ottawa are bolstering their rosters with experienced forwards and defensemen, including Katina Duscio, Sarah Hirst and Ashlyn Kroes, while the University of Concordia adds Korean internationals NaYeon Kim and Taeyeon Kim to its lineup.
International representation will also be a feature, with Frederikke Foss, a former Maine standout and Danish national team member, heading to the University of New Brunswick, and Taylor Gilmour joining Nipissing after a stint at Providence.
Other notable transfers include Emily Davidson, the Harvard captain and netminder, who will don the colors of Carleton, and a group of players such as Paige Smith, Daniella Martorana, Hannah Arnold, Caryss Kehl, Grace Littler and Mikayla Todd moving across the border.
The influx of seasoned talent is expected to raise the competitive level of the national championships, where teams like the University of Guelph, the University of British Columbia and the University of Nipissing will look to capitalize on their newly acquired depth.