Puck stopper
Panthers find netminder during trip to Saskatchewan
The UPEI Panthers women’s hockey team has completed its goaltending tandem for next season.
Head coach Bruce Donaldson recently announced the addition of Camille Scherger. She will join Megan Sullivan, who is returning for her fourth season, as the Panthers goalies for 2017-18.
Donaldson said they went to Western Canada looking for a goalie earlier this season and found one playing in a tournament in Saskatchewan.
“The one thing that struck us more than anything was every time we were talking to a team about possible goaltenders, most of them said, ‘If you’re looking for the best in the loop, you need to be talking to this young lady,’ ” Donaldson recalled. “When other teams are giving you that type of feedback, that’s a real positive for her and us.”
The Panthers coaches started talking to Scherger and had her visit the Island.
“I knew I wanted to become a UPEI Panther the day I stepped foot on the amazing campus as it had an atmosphere that I could see myself playing and learning in,” she said.
“Charlottetown also has a hometown feel and that was important for me, coming from a smaller city in Alberta.
“Meeting coach Donaldson and some future teammates helped with my decision because I felt like part of the team from the moment we met. I am extremely excited to become a Panther and get things started
in the fall.”
The 18-year-old Lloydminster, Alta., native played boys’ hockey in her hometown until midget.
The five-foot-seven netminder played for the Red Deer Chiefs during the 2016-17 season and led the Alberta Female Hockey League in minutes and was second in saves.
“She loves to play, and you can see it in her practice and her play,” Donaldson said. “She moves very well . . . especially post-to-post, handles the puck well and her compete level is very, very good.”
Marie Soleil Deschenes, the Panthers female athlete of the year, played her final season in 2016-17, making it crucial for Donaldson and his staff to find another goalie for the upcoming season.
“She is a big piece of the puzzle,” Donaldson said. “We’ll be patient, but we definitely have the confidence that’s she going to be able to make that jump.”
Captain Kiana Strand, Teagan Pringle and Cornelia Geib all played their final season this year for the Panthers. Defenceman Emma Martin is returning for her fifth year and will be the team’s captain.
The Panthers have already announced Shelby Foran, a forward from Miramichi, N.B., has committed for the upcoming season.
Donaldson has other players committed that will be announced in the coming weeks.