WHKY: Drever named CW Player of the Year

Feb. 28, 2024 - Saskatchewan's Camryn Drever has been named the 2024 Canada West Women's Hockey Player of the Year.

The fifth-year Edmonton product led the nation with a .954 save percentage in her senior season, compiling a 14-6 regular season record including five shutouts. Four schools were represented on the major awards list, with Saskatchewan, Mount Royal and UBC each having a pair of recipients.

Alberta was also recognized for having the best team goals against average. The Pandas allowed just 29 goals in 28 games thanks to a strong commitment to team defence and shutdown goaltending from Halle Oswald, Misty Rey & Grace Glover.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR and GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR: Camryn Drever, Saskatchewan

It was a spectacular senior season for the fifth-year Huskie goaltender, who earns the dual distinction of being named Canada West Player of the Year and Goaltender of the Year.

Drever led the nation with an unheard of .954 save percentage, winning 15 of her 23 starts and recording five shutouts in the process. She also recorded a sparkling 1.33 goals against average, the third lowest mark in the conference. Her leadership and work ethic were on full display from the opening puck drop, using her solid technical foundation, rebound control and ability to locate pucks in traffic to backstop the Huskies to a fourth place finish in the ultra competitive Canada West.

While Drever and the Huskies were knocked out of the quarterfinals in a hard fought series against Calgary, their season isn't over yet as they prepare to host the 2024 U SPORTS women's hockey national championship beginning March 14.

TOP SCORER: Mackenzie Kordic, UBC

Mackenzie Kordic was unstoppable this season, pacing the Canada West with 36 points as the conference’s leading scorer. The highest single-season point total in five years, the fourth-year T-Bird also led the Canada West in goals with 15, assists with 21 and plus/minus with a +32 rating.

Playing in all 28 regular season games, the Edmonton product had multi-point games on 12 occasions over the course of the campaign including a five-point effort against the Bisons in Manitoba.

Kordic makes it two Thunderbirds in the last three seasons to lead the conference in scoring after teammate Chanreet Bassi accomplished the feat in 2021-22.

TOP DEFENCEMAN: Emma Bergesen, Mount Royal ​

Bergesen was a pillar of the Mount Royal backend this season, emerging as one of the conference's premiere defencemen with the highly coveted ability to contribute both offensively and defensively.

The fourth year from Stavanger, Norway tied for the conference lead in scoring by a defenceman after notching 22 points in 28 games, including seven goals. Six of those goals came on the power play, as she led all conference defenders in both power play goals and points. Her 12 power play points were key to helping the Cougars build a lethal 23.8% power play percentage, the highest mark in Canada West. Her +16 plus-minus rating also led the team and was the 12th highest mark in the conference, showing her effectiveness in shutting down opposing attacks and positively influencing the flow of play.

"Emma's back-to-back receipt of this award is a testament to her exceptional skills and leadership qualities. Her prowess on the ice is undeniable, but it's her relentless work ethic and unyielding desire to continually grow and improve that truly sets her apart. Emma leads by example, consistently showing up for herself and her teammates, always striving for incremental improvements. Her influence on our team environment is immeasurable; she brings a level of intensity and joy to our practices that inspires our younger players. Emma's skill and ability make her a game-changer every time she steps on the ice, and her unwavering commitment, determination, and work ethic make her an invaluable asset to our roster." - Scott Rivett, Head Coach, Mount Royal Cougars

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Jaylyn Morris, UBC

On a veteran team, Jaylyn Morris stood out for all the right reasons in her inaugural Canada West season, finishing the campaign as the conference’s leading rookie scorer with 16 points in just 23 games. Her 16 points also stand as the fourth highest total by any Canada West blue liner.

Joining her hometown team, the Maple Ridge, B.C. product scored three of her four goals on the power play while adding 12 total assists. Morris also led all Canada West rookies with a +15 rating and amassed just 12 penalty minutes.

Morris is just the second Thunderbird to ever be named the conference’s Rookie of the Year and the first since Melinda Choy in 2006-07.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Scott Rivett, Mount Royal

Scott Rivett has been honoured as Coach of the Year after leading the Cougars to an impressive 20-7-1 record and a third place finish in the ultra competitive Canada West. The Cougars entered the season with high expectations after their magical ride to last year's U SPORTS national championship and they delivered another strong campaign. The Cougars attention to detail was evident under Rivett's guidance, as MRU finished the regular season ranking second in total goals with 77 while allowing just 52 goals against.

"Scott's recognition as the CW Coach of the Year is truly well-deserved. His tireless dedication to every facet of our women's hockey program has been evident, and the results of his hard work, energy, and passion are clearly visible in the 2023-24 season," says Karla Karch, Director of the Mount Royal Cougars. "It's a privilege to see his efforts being acknowledged, and he is truly deserving of this honour. On behalf of Cougars Athletics and Recreation, we are immensely proud of Scott."

STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Jenna Merk, Regina

Jenna Merk finishes off her five-season career by being named this year's recipient of the Canada West Student-Athlete Community Service Award.

Merk scored a career-high four goals this season and added five assists to finish with nine points for the Cougars, six of which came on the power play.

Merk completed her Bachelor of Science in December of 2022 with a major in chemistry and a minor in kinesiology. Since then, she has been working towards her Master of Science with a focus on organic synthetic chemistry. Merk's studies include a considerable amount of lab work and teaching assistant duties while balancing student-athlete commitments.

As a volunteer, Merk served as an assistant coach for three seasons with the Regina Rebels U15 AA team. She has performed chemistry demonstrations at local elementary schools, organized on-campus events, served on the U of R's student-athlete council, and coached the weekly Cougar Cubs program.

"Jenna has always been involved in the community and her past service includes presenting anti-bullying presentations for the Red Cross, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, and volunteering at the Ovarian Cancer Society Walk of Home. She thrives on being busy and by being around people. Jenna is a genuine person who cares deeply about her teammates. She was our captain this year and she is someone who our players both adore and look up to." -Sarah Hodges, Head Coach, Regina Cougars

SPORTSMANSHIP AND ATHLETIC ABILITY: Sophie Lalor, Saskatchewan

Lalor led the Huskies in scoring in her senior season, potting 12 goals and adding 10 assists while driving the Huskies to an impressive 19-7-1-1 record. Well regarded for her offensive prowess, she also displayed honourable sportsmanship qualities and leadership on-and-off the ice, as evidenced by taking just eight penalty minutes all season.