Horn women welcome additions
The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s hockey team has added a pair of players from the Alberta Female Hockey League for next Canada West season.
Joining the Horns for 2018-19 are forward Mackenzie Lausberg and goaltender Stephanie Gross.
Lausberg was co-captain with the Calgary Fire of the AFHL last season and joins the Horns after two seasons with the Fire.
“We’re excited to bring a player with Kenzie’s work ethic and positive attitude to our program,” said Horns head coach Michelle Janus. “There’s a reason she’s a captain with her current team and we’re looking for her to apply those attributes to our program.
“Lausberg will add depth and responsibility off the puck to our roster. Her ability to create turnovers and eliminate time and space on attackers will be an asset, specifically against the faster teams in Canada West.”
This past season with the Fire, Lausberg collected five goals and eight assists in 28 games. She also picked up two goals and three assists during the 2016-17 season.
“I’m thankful to have the opportunity to play at the U Sports level,” said Lausberg in committing to the Pronghorn program. “I’m excited for my first season with the Pronghorns and to see what unfolds.”
Gross, a Cochrane product, joins the Pronghorns after helping the Rocky Mountain Raiders to a first place finish in the regular season. She also joins her teammate Meg Dyer, who committed to the Pronghorns in February.
Gross and the Raiders made it to the league final but were beaten by the defending ESSO Cup Champion St. Albert Slash 3-2 in overtime.
“We’re excited to bring an athlete like Stephanie into our program,” said Janus “She’s posted good numbers for her AAA team throughout 2017-18, playing against top teams and making key saves at key times. “Stephanie’s personality and work ethic will add to the depth of character we have on our current roster.” In 17 appearances this season, Gross compiled a 13-3-1 record with a 1.75 goalsagainst average and a 0.920 save percentage. “I am very excited to continue my hockey career with the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns,” said Gross. “Lethbridge is the perfect place for me to go, as I will move away from home but not be too far from my family. “U of L has a great reputation and I can’t wait to experience it in the fall. The culture of the hockey team is exactly what I want to be a part of.” The addition of Lausberg and Gross increases the 2018-19 recruiting class to four after early commitments from Meg Dyer and Boston Shamrocks’ Ashlee Hirschfield.