National recognition for women’s hockey dynamic duo

History has been made.The Nipissing Lakers women’s hockey has its first two national award winners, as forward Kaley Tienhaara and defenceman Zosia Davis were named to the CIS All-Rookie team.

After being named to the OUA All-Rookie team earlier this month, the dynamic duo was voted on to the CIS team, which comprises the cream of the crop from all over Canada.

Lakers head coach Darren Turcotte is extremely proud and thrilled with seeing two of his players honoured with such a prestigious award.

“It is extremely exciting for our program. Both Kaley and Zosia came in and had terrific first seasons for us,” he said. “Having two of the six players named to the CIS All-Rookie team is a great honour for our program and a credit to the hard work that not only Kaley and Zosia put in, but the entire team.”

Tienhaara, a native of Thunder Bay, ON, came to the Lakers with teammates Sam Strassburger and Bronwyn Bolduc, who had great years as well.  She led the team in assists with 13, and was tied for the team lead in points with Strassburger, as both recorded 20.  Tienhaara tied for 13th in the league in points and tied for fifth in assists. She had a six game point streak to start her season, recoding eight points in that stretch and helping the Lakers get off to a strong start. She had eight games throughout the season where she recorded at least two points, including a streak of back-to-back games in November and four straight games in January.  She scored seven goals, tied for second on the team and her three power play goals also tied her for first on the team.

Tienhaara was humble in accepting her award, thanking her teammates and coaching staff for all the support they offered her throughout her first year at this level.

“I am extremely honoured to have received this incredible recognition. It is an amazing feeling to reach goals I never thought I could as a first year player. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my teammates as they are a huge factor in this award, as well as our coaching staff,” she said. “It means a lot to be one of the first two women’s hockey players to be award something like this. I think it shows that when you work hard and compete to your potential and have a great support system behind you, you can achieve things you never thought you could.”

The other Lakers player honoured was Davis, a smooth skating offensive threat with a big shot and the ability to control the game. She finished with three goals and eight assists, good for 11 points – fourth on the Lakers and first among defence.  The Cobden, ON native sat eighth in the OUA in scoring from defence.  She recorded her first goal and assist in the same game – the third of the season – as she was in on both Lakers goals in a 5-2 loss to Laurier. She scored twice against Laurentian and chipped in with a number of other assists throughout the season.  After her two goal game, she added an assist in each of the next two games, giving her four points in three games in November.  She also recorded back-to-back point games in early January.

Davis said this was a great way to end the season and being able to celebrate with a teammate made it even better.

“I’m so honoured. This is by the best way to end this year off and it’s even better to share this award with a great teammate,” she said. “We’re already looking forward to building off this and can’t wait to get started next season. A shoutout goes to the coaching staff for all their support, as well.”

Both players were huge parts of their team’s success and should be a big part of the team’s core moving forward.