Huskies goalie Drever named player of the year
U of S star also named Canada West women's goalie of year, first-team all-star
University of Saskatchewan Huskies goalie Camryn Drever appears to be going out in style.
The graduating fifth-year goaltender has been named the Canada West conference women's hockey player of the year, goalie of the year and first-team all-star after a record-setting season with her U of S squad.
The Edmonton product led the nation with an impressive .954 save percentage in her final season of U Sports hockey while compiling a 14-6 regular-season record that included five shutouts.
She also recorded a sparkling 1.33 goals-against average, the third-lowest mark in the alwayscompetitive conference.
“What makes her such a great goalie for us is just the type of person she is,” said Huskies head coach Steve Kook, whose team lost out in Canada West quarterfinal action but will host the upcoming U Sports national championship tournament March 14-17 at Merlis Belsher Place.
“She is so humble and quick to deflect praise and take on responsibility, so that is one of her biggest attributes as a player and as a person.
“She is one of the best teammates that we have ever had in our program. I am just so proud of her accomplishments.”
Drever's season will go down as one of the best in Huskie hockey history, as she set a team record for wins previously held by Vanessa Frederick and Jessica Vance.
“We have had some pretty good seasons in the past with Vanessa Frederick and Jessica Vance, who was our last conference MVP,” Kook told Huskie Athletics.
“But for Camryn to break that record for wins in a season is something else, especially in this day and age when our conference is so tight. One thing that we know, game in and game out, is that she is going to be one of the best goalies in the country every time she steps on the ice.”
Drever also posted the secondbest save-percentage ever in a Huskie season, behind only Vance, and the fourth-best goals-against average.
Drever, who is set to graduate from the College of Education this spring, is hoping to play professionally next season in the new Professional Women's Hockey League. She is a five-time Academic All-canadian with an overall average better than 80 per cent each season.
Drever was a member of Canada's gold-medal winning team, along with Huskie teammate Isabella Pozzi, at the 2023 FISU World University Games. With Drever in net, the Huskies claimed a bronze medal at the 2022 U Sports national championship in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Prior to joining the Dogs, Drever won two Esso Cup national championships as an under-18 AAA player. This year will mark her second national U Sports championship.
As the Canada West conference MVP, Drever is now up for the U Sports national award, which will be announced in Saskatoon during national championship week.
LALOR MOST SPORTSMANLIKE
Graduating fifth-year Huskies forward Sophie Lalor was named the Canada West most sportsmanlike player.
Lalor led the Huskies in scoring during her senior season, potting 12 goals and adding 10 assists as the Huskies posted a 19-7-1-1 record. She also displayed honourable sportsmanship qualities and leadership on and off the ice, accumulating just eight penalty minutes all season.
HOLT WINS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Third-year Huskies forward Dawson Holt was named the recipient of the Canada West men's hockey student-athlete community service award Thursday.
Described by teammates and coaches as “one of those all-round players you want on your team,” Holt had 22 points in 28 games and was one of the team's top penaltykillers this season while also demonstrating leadership off the ice.
As the Huskie Athletic Council (HAC) president for the last three years, Holt has been an adviser to chief athletics officer Shannon Chinn and university senior administration. He leads by example, attending HAC initiatives including Saskatoon-area school visits, collecting donations for Jim Pattison Children's Hospital and creating Christmas hampers for families in need.
MEN'S HOCKEY ALL-STARS
In Canada West men's hockey, the Saskatchewan Huskies' leading scorer Chantz Petruic was selected as a conference second-team all-star.
U of S defenceman Landon Kosior was named to the Canada West all-rookie team along with former Saskatoon Blades captain Aidan De La Gorgendiere, now a member of the University of Alberta Golden Bears.
VOLLEYBALL ALL-STARS
U of S Huskies setter Sophia Magus has been named to the Canada West women's volleyball all-rookie team, while Saskatchewan middle players Jacob Baird and Lucas Musschoot were both named to the Canada West men's volleyball rookie team.
As well, Huskies right-side hitter Emmett Graham was named as a Canada West second-team all-star on the men's squad.
U SPORTS WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP
U of S wrestlers are in Guelph, Ont., this weekend for the U Sports national championships.
The Huskies women head into the championship after being ranked No. 3 this past week behind only Brock University and the University of Calgary.
The Huskies men are ranked No. 3 behind Alberta and Brock.