Inferno maintain busy pace in CWHL off-season

The Calgary Inferno have been one of the busiest teams in the CWHL off-season and remained busy Wednesday by announcing the draft pre-signing of forward Rebecca Leslie.

Fresh off the recent acquisition of defenceman Halli Krzyzaniak from the NCAA ranks, the team dipped into that well once more by obtaining Leslie.

The Ottawa native wrapped up a tremendous four-year collegiate career with the Boston University Terriers.

The talented forward burst onto the scene in Boston during the 2014-2015 season, recording 14 goals and 31 points, en route to being awarded a spot on the Hockey East All-Rookie team.

She would end up as a two-time New England Division I All-Star and served as the Terriers’ captain during her final season.

In her senior year, Leslie recorded an NCAA-best nine-game streak of recording at least two points in each contest and became the program’s first player to reach 20 goals and 30 assists in a single season.

Leslie also brings some international experience with her to Calgary, winning gold with Team Canada at the 2014 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship and serving as Team Canada’s captain for the 2018 Nations Cup.

“I am honoured and excited to begin my career in the CWHL with the Calgary Inferno.

It is an exciting time for women’s hockey in Canada, and I am grateful for an opportunity to grow the game even further,” said Leslie.

“I can’t wait to get to Calgary, meet my new teammates and begin our quest for the Clarkson Cup.”

The excitement of Leslie comes on the heels of some major talent acquisition, including Krzyzaniak, Zoe Hickel, Brianna Decker and Kacey Bellamy, which positions the Inferno nicely as they begin their quest for a second title in four years.