Women’s Hockey

We spend time looking at the Men’s program, regardless of the level and division we might be spending our time focusing on.

Now it’s important to turn our attention to the program offered not only in Canada, but at the University level in Western Canada.

The UBC T-Birds have the stellar play of goaltender Daniel Dube and Calgary has Danielle Goyette as the Head Coach in addition to Hayley Wickenheiser, so never count the Women’s program out.

Calgary Dinos third-year forward Iya Gavrilova is the 2014-15 Canada West women’s hockey Most Valuable Player, the conference announced today.

The Krasnoyarsk, Russia native finished the regular season at or near the top of the conference leaders in goals (first with 21), assists (second with 23), game-winning goals (first with six) and plus-rating (first with +26).

Gavrilova led the Dinos to a fourth-place finish and quarterfinal playoff series matchup against the defending champion Saskatchewan Huskies.

Manitoba Bisons forward Alanna Sharman was named Rookie of the Year.  Sharman led the league in points (40) and was named to the conference First Team All-Stars, both firsts for a rookie since Calgary’s Hayley Wickenheiser (2010-11).

Bisons coach Jon Rempel, back in Manitoba after guiding Team Canada to a silver medal finish at the 27^th Winter Universiade in Granada, Spain, was named Coach of the Year.

Regina Cougars fifth-year defenceman Triston Riemer was selected as the winner of the Student-Athlete Community Service Award.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER 

In her third season as a part of the University of Calgary Dinos women’s ice hockey team, forward Iya Gavrilova has made a remarkable impact on the season and the team.

The captain led the league and conference for majority of the season in points, recording 37 points in a short 23 games.

She finishing second overall, only three points out of first place despite having played five less games and Gavrilova led all players in the CIS with 21 goals as well as a plus-35 rating, which in all levels of the sport is unheard of.

The Russian forward also potted six game-winning goals to help the Dinos this season.

This is the third time the Canada West Player of the Year award has gone to the University of Calgary.

Gavrilova is the second Dino in history to achieve this award following Hayley Wickenheiser’s previous two wins for the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons.

Gavrilova was also named to the First Team All-Star team for her work this season.

The captain returned to the Dinos after helping lead Russia to their first-ever gold medal at the 2015 Universiade games in Granada, Spain.

Gavrilova not only captains the Dinos, she also donned the ‘C’ for Russia at the games, a dominant force for Russia with five goals and seven assists for a total of 12 points in only four games played.

“Iya’s return to the Dinos after competing with Team Russia in the Olympics in 2014 was a key factor in the success of our team this season,” said Dinos head coach Danielle Goyette.

It’s easy to notice all the work she has done during the off season, it paid off and it showed on ice this season.

She’s a player that has great work ethic, always trying to find a way to improve on and off the ice.

Special “thanks” to Pic Ocampo, Communications & New Media Coordinator, Canada West Universities Athletic Association