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There aren't many women out there who can boast a roster of teammates and international hockey stars such as Florence Schelling, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Hayley Scamurra, Rebecca Johnston, Brianne Jenner, Hayley Wickenheiser, and Iya Gavrilova, but the young woman to the left skated alongside all of these amazing players at various points in her professional career without ever donning an international hockey jersey. While I believe she retired far too early, she went on to help get a solid U SPORTS women's hockey program off the ground in New Brunswick with the revival of the Varsity Reds women's hockey program returning to AUS hockey. Today, however it was announced that Brittany Esposito, pictured above, is leaving UNB and heading back home to Alberta for new opportunities!

Esposito always stood out to me during her time in the CWHL as one of those players who busted her hump no matter what role she was given when she tapped on the shoulder and sent over the boards. She was an extremely effective member of the Calgary Inferno during her four years with the club, notching 36 goals and 47 assists in 93 career contests, and she was a member of the Inferno's 2016 CWHL Clarkson Cup championship squad. However, it was her effectiveness not only in the offensive zone that caught my eye, but how she backchecked hard, was responsible with the puck, and helped teammates find success with her vision on the ice.

Her career with the Northeastern Huskies in the NCAA was just as successful from a personal standpoint as the Business major finished her career tied for 20th all-time in Huskies scoring, racking up 47 goals and 62 points for 109 points. She was a Hockey East All-Rookie selection in 2009-10, was named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team each season she played, and was a Hockey East Second-Team All-Star in 2013-14 in her senior season. Her ten game-winning goals in her season helped the Huskies to a 13-6-2 record in her senior campaign, but what stood out to me was her importance to the team when she was rolling as Northeastern was 11-2-0 when she recorded a point versus an 8-12-2 record when she didn't.

Perhaps even a bigger highlight? Esposito scored the first goal in the first women's college hockey game ever played outdoors when she did it at Boston's Fenway Park on January 8th, 2010. Despite this being a pro-UNH video, check out the goal scored by Esposito just 1:29 into the game. Laser of a shot!

Ok, so we know that Brittany can play, but it was her next step in accepting an assistant coaching position under head coach Sarah Hilworth out at the University of New Brunswick where I feel she may have had a bigger impact on the game. Hired in June of 2017, she'd be a big part of getting the UNB Reds off the ground and back to a competitive level within the hotly-contested AUS standings.

"One of my best friends, Sarah Hilworth, interviewed for the head-coaching job at UNB and asked me to be her assistant coach," Esposito told Mark Staffieri. "I have been her assistant coach in a few different tournaments and we work well together, there is a lot of trust and respect."

Bringing her work ethic and knowledge behind the bench to the Reds, it seems that whatever Hilworth, Esposito, and Pamela Pachal were teaching the Reds in Year One of their rebirth was working as they guided the expansion squad to a semifinal berth in the AUS after defeating UPEI in the AUS quarterfinals!

Year Two went just as well as UNB would down St. Thomas in the opening round before falling to the Saint Mary's Huskies in the AUS semifinals, but there were some great steps forward made by the program as Ashley Stratton finished third in goals and second in points! This Reds team looks like they're going to challenge for an AUS title in the next couple of years as the 17 freshman from Year One mature and get better, but a lot of credit goes to the coaching staff - Miss Esposito included - in building a competitive roster from the get-go!

And that's why the news was a little shocking to me today when the UNB Reds announced that Brittany Esposito was leaving the program for green pastures back home in Edmonton. While I'll never fault anyone for wanting to move closer to home and being closer to family considering the amount of time she's spent out in the eastern time zone over her career, I was hoping to see Esposito potentially move into the head coaching role at some point. That hope certainly isn't gone as she may find the chance back in Alberta, but I thought UNB might be a good fit for her based on the success they've had thus far.

"I'm so grateful for my time with the Reds," said Esposito. "I gained valuable work experience, but more importantly, had the opportunity to work with a delightful group and to help start a program that has a very bright future both on and off the ice.

"Although I'm not sure what is on the horizon career wise, I know I will always be involved in hockey, whether through work or volunteering."

Selfishly, I know Manitoba isn't in Alberta, but I'd love to see her join the Bisons and Hockey Manitoba if there was an opportunity. However, I get the family component of this move and how that makes sense for her. There may be opportunities with either the Pandas or the MacEwan Griffins next season if she wants to hop back in at the U SPORTS level, and there are a ton of smaller teams in the Edmonton region who would benefit from a coach with Brittany Esposito's experience.

While her career on the east coast is done for the foreseeable future, the fact that Brittany Esposito wants to remain in hockey is a good thing for this game. She's passionate, intelligent, and has built a solid resumé that can take her anywhere, and I'd imagine she won't be a free agent for long. I look forward to seeing what's next in her career!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!