Queen's University Women's Hockey
Queen's University is home to one of the most successful women's hockey programs in Canada. Led by head coach Matt Holmberg, the Queen's Gaels have consistently been a top contender in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) conference and the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national championships.
The History of Queen's Women's Hockey
The Queen's women's hockey program was established in 1971, making it one of the oldest programs in the country. The team competed in the Ontario Women's Interuniversity Athletic Association (OWIAA) until 1997, when it became part of the newly formed OUA conference. In 1998, the Gaels won their first OUA championship, and they have since won a total of seven OUA titles.
In 2011, the Gaels won their first-ever CIS national championship, defeating the defending champions, the Alberta Pandas, in a thrilling double-overtime game. The team went on to win a second national title in 2018, beating the McGill Martlets 2-1 in the final.
The Coaching Staff
Matt Holmberg has been the head coach of the Queen's women's hockey team since 2016. Prior to that, he served as an assistant coach with the team for five years. Holmberg played collegiate hockey at Dalhousie University and has also been involved with Hockey Canada's national women's program.
Assisting Holmberg are associate head coach Christy Wright and assistant coach Mark Digby. Wright played for the Gaels from 2003-2007 and was a member of the 2011 national championship team. Digby has been with the program for over a decade and has helped develop several players who have gone on to play professionally.
The Players
The Queen's women's hockey team consists of some of the top student-athletes in the country. Many of the players have represented Canada at various international tournaments, including the IIHF World Championships and the Winter Olympics.
One of the team's top players is forward Katrina Manoukarakis, who was named the OUA Rookie of the Year in 2018 and was also a member of the Canadian Under-18 National Team. Defenseman Alisha Sealey is another standout player, having been named an OUA All-Star in each of her first three seasons with the team.
The Future of Queen's Women's Hockey
The Queen's women's hockey team shows no signs of slowing down. With an experienced coaching staff and talented players, the team is poised to continue its success both in the OUA conference and on the national stage.
Off the ice, the team is also making strides. In 2020, they launched the Gaels for Girls program, which provides mentorship opportunities for young female hockey players in the Kingston area.
Conclusion
The Queen's women's hockey team is a true powerhouse in Canadian university sports. With a rich history, dedicated coaching staff, and talented players, they have consistently been among the top teams in the country. As they continue to grow and develop both on and off the ice, there's no doubt that the Queen's Gaels will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in women's hockey.
