Canada West Alumni Update

Being that it's hockey season once again and that I do a weekly recap on all things Canada West right here in this space on this day as that season progresses, I figured it might be time to start practicing that effort once again. There are preseason games being played in Canada West right now that matter zero in the grand scheme of things, but there are great efforts being seen in professional leagues - specifically the SDHL - right now by former Canada West players. It was an honour to watch them skate in Canada West and I'm still blown away by their skills at the professional level, so I plan on keeping tabs on these players all season long whether they play in the SDHL, PWHPA, or the PHF.

This would be a good time to remind everyone that The Hockey Show will run its annual Canada West Preview Show for both men's and women's hockey this Thursday where Jason, myself, and possibly a guest will give our thoughts on how the nine respective teams will do for the upcoming season. Like any predictions made on the show, nothing is guaranteed, we're likely more wrong than right, and our money-back guarantee is always in place for listening. It should be a fun chat, though, so tune in for that if you're interested in our thoughts and a big announcement!

All that aside, there were games played in Sweden this week where a number of Canada West players and a coach were involved. Let's take a quick peek at those alumni!

Former Saskatchewan Huskies forward Danielle Stone has yet to dress this season for HV71. The team pushes on without her, though, as HV71 defeated SDE in a shootout by a 5-4 score on Saturday before dropping a 3-1 decision to AIK on Sunday. As it stands, HV71 sits in eighth-place with four points off an 0-2-2-0 record. They'll visit Djurgårdens next Sunday.

Leksands was in tough against perennial powerhouse Lulea/MSSK on Saturday, and the 4-0 final in favour of Lulea reflected that disparity between the two teams. As a result, former Mount Royal Cougars forward Anna Purschke was still looking for her first point while former MRU Cougars coach Jordan Colliton was still seeking her first win. Sunday saw Leksands hosting MoDo, but a late goal in overtime sunk Leksands once more as Modo prevailed by a 2-1 score.

Purschke wasn't in on the Leksands goal in this game, so she still seeks her first professional point. Leksands sits in ninth-place with an 0-1-0-2 record with two points, but they won't play again until October 8 when they host Linköping as both Purschke and Colliton look to earn that elusive first win of their professional careers!

MoDo was visiting Brynäs on Saturday, and it didn't seem to go well for the ladies from Örnsköldsvik as Brynäs hung a 4-0 loss on them thanks, in part, to former MoDo netminder Klara Peslarova pitching a shutout for her new team. MoDo would bounce back as they visited Leksands on Sunday, and that late overtime goal scored by MoDo was tallied by former Regina Cougars sniper Jaycee Magwood!

Magwood's second of the season would allow her to remain at the top of the scoring leaderboard as her two goals and five assists is tops in the SDHL! MoDo, meanwhile, is in a five-way tie for second-place with six points, but they own a 1-1-1-1 record on the season. MoDo visits SDE in their next action on October 1.

SDE has a pile of Canada West alumni playing, and a few were involved in the 5-4 shootout loss suffered at the hands of visiting HV71 on Saturday. Former UBC Thunderbirds forward Hannah Clayton-Carroll had a pair of goals to give her four on the season while former UBC Thunderbirds forward Mathea Fischer picked up an assist on Clayton-Carroll's fourth goal. Lindsey Post was in net for this game as she drops the skills competition decision despite making 27 stops on the night.

Sunday's game also needed extra time as SDE welcomed Göteborg to town, and it would be Mathea Fischer who would shine in this game as her power-play marker in overtime sealed the 2-1 victory for SDE!

The results of the weekend saw Hannah Clayton-Carroll move into second-place in goal-scoring in the SDHL with her four goals, two back of leader Emma Nordin of Lulea/MSSK. Clayton-Carroll also sits two points back of Jaycee Magwood in overall scoring as she's tied for third-place in the SDHL with five points. Lindsey Post moves to 1-0-1 on the season with a 2.40 GAA and a .914 save percentage in her two appearances. SDE is one of those five teams tied for second-place with six point as they own a 1-1-1-1 record. SDE will play in Brynäs on Wednesday before hosting MoDo next Saturday on October 1.

For those wondering, I had made a comment last week about how Mathea Fischer didn't receive credit for two assists she clearly made on Wednesday when SDE defeated Djurgårdens by a 2-1. Well, I'm happy to report that the SDHL went back and looked at the video evidence. As a result, Fischer was credited with two assists in that game she previously hadn't been, and she now sits with four points on the season!

There's a quick update on who did what in the SDHL with respect to Canada West alumni. I'll keep an eye on the action over in Sweden to see what's happening where and who is making Canada West and their former programs proud. All of these women deserve some of your time, though, so make some time to watch the SDHL!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!