While the Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team enjoyed the best season in the program’s seven-year history this past winter, the Golden Knights’ future has the potential to be even brighter with co-head coaches Shannon and Matt Desrosiers’ announcement of a talented recruiting class for next year. Shannon and Matt Desrosiers along with assistant coach Matt Kelly have put together an incoming group of eight freshmen, comprised of six forwards, one defenseman and one goaltender who will join the Green and Gold roster for 2010-11.
The Golden Knights new signees include Shelby Nisbet (Wiseton, Saskatchewan), Amanda Lucky (Kanata, Ontario), Brittany Styner (Calgary, Alberta), Vanessa Plante (Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec), Carly Mercer (Exeter, Ontario), Vanessa Gagnon (St. Constant, Quebec), Jamie-Lee Rattray (Kanata, Ontario) and Erica Howe (Orleans, ONT).
“Although we had a fantastic season this past year, our returning players are far from satisfied which is hopefully a sign of great things to come,” stated Matt Desrosiers. “It will be up to them, especially our leaders, to help the freshmen make the transition to college hockey seamless. With the tremendous character of our core players we have returning, this should not be a problem.”
“We are extremely excited about the incoming recruiting class we have coming in for the fall of 2010,” remarked Shannon Desrosiers. “They bring with them a great mix of speed, skill, experience, and a sound work ethic that will complement our returning core. Each of them has had experience at the national level with their respective provincial teams and/or with Hockey Canada which should help make the transition to college hockey much easier. This group also possesses great character and leadership qualities as they have all been looked upon to lead their respective club, provincial, or national teams. Not only are they exceptional players on the ice but they are all great individuals off the ice. We feel very fortunate to have them all joining the Clarkson Women’s Hockey program next season.”
Below is an alphabetical list of the Golden Knights recruits with a quote from each about why they chose Clarkson:
Vanessa Gagnon (St. Constant, Quebec) - Forward
• Played this past season for the Dawson Blues where she was the captain of her team
• Invited to the 2007 Canadian Women’s U18 Selection Camp
• Won the bronze medal at the 2007 Canada Winter Games
• Won a silver medal at the 2007 U18 Nationals as a member of Team Quebec
• In 2008 she was awarded the Honor of Excellence for the best GPA in secondary 5
"A couple of the reasons why I chose Clarkson are for its proximity with Canada and for the small campus. But I mainly chose to come here because of the hockey program and the coaches."
Erica Howe (Orleans, Ontario) - Goaltender
• Played this past season for the Ottawa Senators Intermediate AA
• Invited to the 2009 Canadian Women’s U18 Team Strength and Conditioning Camp and the 2009 Canadian Women’s U18 Selection Camp
• Canadian Women’s U18 Team member, 2009 Series vs. Team USA
• Canadian Women’s U18 Team member, 2010 World Women’s U18 Championships where she won a gold medal
• Was a member of the 2009 gold medal winning Team Ontario Red at the U18 Nationals
• Was an assistant captain for the 2008 Team Ontario Red
• Honor roll student in grades 10 & 11
“I chose Clarkson because of the small school with a great atmosphere and I know that the coaches will push me to be the best athlete I can be. I’m also positive Coach Shannon will whip me into shape in no time; it should be a grand old time.”
Amanda Lucky (Kanata, Ontario) - Forward
• Played this past season for the Ottawa Senators Intermediate AA where she was an assistant captain
• Was the assistant captain for Team Ontario Blue at the 2009 U18 National Championships. Her team won the silver medal and Amanda was awarded the Most sportsmanlike player for the tournament
• Was a member of the PWHL gold medal winning team as Intermediate AA Champions in 2008
• Has been an honor roll student every semester in high school
“Someone once told me that your University coaches are going to be your parents for the next four years of your life. When I look at the Clarkson coaching staff I see genuine, caring and simply down to earth people, who I know will push me to my full potential. I also wanted to go to a school that would provide me with not only great athletics but also great academics and Clarkson has both these things. “
Carly Mercer (Exeter, Ontario) - Forward
• Played this past season for the Bluewater Jr. Hawks where she was the captain of her team
• Invited to the 2009 Canadian Women’s U18 Team Strength and Conditioning Camp and the 2009 Canadian Women’s U18 Selection Camp
• Canadian Women’s U18 Team member, 2009 Series vs. Team USA
• Canadian Women’s U18 Team member, 2010 World Women’s U18 Championships where she won a gold medal
• Member of the gold medal winning 2008 & 2009 Team Ontario Red at the U18 Nationals
• 2009 PWHL playoff leading scorer
• 2010 PWHL top 5 scoring leader
• 2006 High school hockey Rookie of the year and the 2008 & 2009 High school hockey MVP
“I chose Clarkson because of its small town atmosphere that is jammed packed with enthusiasm for hockey. The coaching staff and the team made me feel very comfortable and I am positive the team has great success ahead of them.”
Shelby Nisbet (Wiseton, Saskatchewan) - Forward
• Played this past season for the Swift Current Wildcats where she was one of the captains
• Invited to the 2008 Canadian Women’s U18 Team Strength and Conditioning Camp and the 2008 Canadian Women’s U18 Selection Camp
• Invited to the 2009 Canadian Women’s U18 Team Strength and Conditioning Camp and the 2009 Canadian Women’s U18 Selection Camp
• Canadian Women’s U18 Team member, 2009 Series vs. Team USA
• 2007, 2008 & 2009 member of Saskatchewan Provincial team
“I chose Clarkson because it is a small community like mine that I thought I could see myself living in. The girls were awesome and the support that everyone showed towards the school was great. I thought Clarkson was the right place for me.”
Vanessa Plante (Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec) - Defense
• Played this past season for the Limoilou Titans where she was an assistant captain
• Invited to the 2008 Canadian Women’s U18 Selection Camp
• Won the bronze medal at the 2007 Canada Winter Games
• Won a silver medal at the 2007 & 2008 U18 Nationals as a member of Team Quebec
"I chose Clarkson because it made me feel at home and it is everything I was looking for.’’
Jamie-Lee Rattray (Kanata, Ontario) - Forward
• Currently plays for the Ottawa Senators Intermediate AA where she is the captain of her team
• Invited to the 2008 Canadian Women’s U18 Team Strength and Conditioning Camp and the 2008 Canadian Women’s U18 Selection Camp
• Invited to the 2009 Canadian Women’s U18 Team Strength and Conditioning Camp and the 2009 Canadian Women’s U18 Selection Camp
• Canadian Women’s U18 Team member, 2008 & 2009 Series vs. Team USA
• Canadian Women’s U18 Team member, 2009 World Women’s U18 Championships where she won a silver medal
• Canadian Women’s U18 Team member, 2010 World Women’s U18 Championships where she won a gold medal
• Was a member of the 2007 Team Ontario Blue at the U18 Nationals
• Was a member of the 2008 & 2009 gold medal winning Team Ontario Red at the U18 Nationals
• Was an assistant captain for the 2008 Team Ontario Red
• Was the captain of the 2009 Team Ontario Red and the 2009 Canadian Women’s U18 Team
• 2010 PWHL top 5 scoring leader; tied for league lead for goals scored
• She was the 2007 Earl of March junior Female Athlete of the year and the 2008 Earl of March senior Female Athlete of the year
• Member of the 2008 Honor Society Earl of March
“People always ask me why I chose Clarkson, when I think they should really question why I wouldn’t choose Clarkson. As a student-athlete Clarkson has all the right ingredients: great hockey program filled with great coaches and a fantastic team, on my visit I already felt a part of the team. Clarkson also has strong academics and great academic-support. I also chose Clarkson because of the feeling I got when I stepped on campus. I felt right at home. The day I committed was the day I was ready to start.”
Brittany Styner (Calgary, Alberta) - Forward
• Played this past season for the Edge School Mountaineers where she was an assistant captain
• Invited to the 2009 Canadian Women’s U18 Team Strength and Conditioning Camp and the 2009 Canadian Women’s U18 Selection Camp
• 2008 & 2009 member of Alberta Provincial team
• She was the 2009 Esso Nationals MVP and top scorer
• Awarded the 2008-2009 AMMFHL League top forward honor
• 2008 Mac’s Midget tournament top scorer and named a first team All-Star
• Honor roll student in grade 10 & 11
“I chose Clarkson because I loved everything about it; from the small and appealing campus to the enthusiastic coaches and staff members. I felt that Clarkson had a very comfortable environment because everyone, including the players, coaches, and faculty members, were extremely kind and supportive. With this, along with the strong academics and hockey program, I knew that Clarkson was where I wanted to spend my next four years.”
*All signings are contingent upon admission to Clarkson University and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Clearinghouse.