Tommies Among Best in AUS Women’s Hockey

Three forwards and three defenders from the St. Thomas University Tommies have been rewarded for their performance in the Atlantic University Sport women's hockey conference this season.

Fifth-year blueliner Eliza Snider cracked the conference's first all-star team, while Kelty Apperson and Jessie McCann were given second team all-conference honours.

Lauren Legault and Alex Woods were slotted among the conference's top newcomers as members of the all-rookie team, and Becky Conner was named the league's Most Sportsmanlike Player.

Conner, a native of East St. Paul, MB, is a wiry forward who is willing to battle in the tough spaces while maintaining respect for her opponents and the game.  The third-year Tommie had only two penalty minutes this season and was tied for thirteenth in league scoring.

"Becky plays a hard working game and takes her licks going to the net," Tommies head coach Peter Murphy said. "I think most teams recognize this and realize it would be easy for a player to get bent out of shape, but Becky soldiers on. She is very deserving of this award."

Snider, McCann, and Woods Make Up All-Star Defensive Corps

Snider, who wears an 'A' for the Tommies, led all defenders in the AUS with 15 points. Her strength with the puck and her contribution to special teams were key for the Tommies this season.

Murphy said Snider "brought her game to a new level" this year.

"Eliza really wanted to come in and have a great fifth year, so I'm happy she's receiving this recognition from other coaches," he said. "She plays a hard, heavy game and has been consistently strong on the puck and her check."

This is the second consecutive season that McCann, a second-year player from Grand Bay, NB, has been named to the conference's second all-star team.  She contributed nine points to the Tommies offense this season, while also putting in substantial minutes on the penalty kill and power play.

"Jessie is a presence on the ice and has the ability to use her strength and her size to her advantage," Murphy said. "In only her second year, she's still learning the game so we expect her to continue to be among the top D in the AUS."

Rounding out the defensive corps all-stars is Woods, who finished in the top 10 in scoring among defenders in her debut season with four goals and six assists. The first-year player from Courtice, ON, also boasted a plus-minus of +20 on the season.

"Alex had a remarkable first year. She's offensively gifted and only going to get better," Murphy said. "It's very impressive for her to come in and carry a +20 rating."

Apperson "One of Those Special Athletes You're Happy to Have a Chance to Coach"

Apperson, the Tommies captain, led the team's offense this season and was sixth in the AUS scoring race with 28 points. The fifth-year New Hamburg, ON, native also has the fifth-best plus-minus rating in the conference with +25.

"I don't know what else I can say about our captain. She has the ability to turn a game around in one shift," Murphy said.  "Her speed and determination is matched by very few in this league, and she's one of those special athletes you're happy to have a chance to coach."

Legault, a first-year forward from Winnipeg, MB, had a solid season for the Tommies. She registered 16 points off six goals—two of which were game-winning—and 10 assists.

Murphy said Legault has adjusted well to the level of play in the AUS conference.

"Stepping into center is no easy feat and she's performed admirably," he said.  "Offensively she's sparked her line to become our second highest in scoring, and I only expect her to get better and better."

The Tommies, who finished the regular season with a 17-4-3 record, begin their playoff run Friday when they host the St. Francis Xavier X-Women in game one of the best-of-three semifinal series. Puck drop is at 7:00 pm at the Grant-Harvey Centre.