Oswald – who is looking to build upon her accomplishments from her third season – should have an easier time focusing on hockey this year, as her role in helping transition her younger sister, Sheridan, to the team for her rookie season is now old news. The younger of the two siblings spent her first year learning from her sister, and has now entered her second year with the program.
“ We were literally together 24 / 7 throughout the past school year,” Courtlyn said.“ We live together and pretty much just do everything together; we were actually in a few of the same classes before I got into my faculty. Our personalities are similar, but obviously when you’ re dealing with your sibling you hold nothing back. So, we do clash heads at times, but other than that we get along pretty well.” Most siblings don’ t have the chance to play university hockey together, or live
LAURYN KEEN
BISONS STAR AND FINNISH NATIONAL TEAM MEMBER, VENLA HOVI
together for that matter, but that is not the only accolade that the Oswald sisters share.
“ We actually got to play one year of Team Manitoba together during Courtlyn’ s grade 12 season,” said Sheridan, the younger of the two Oswalds.“ I think that being in my first year last season, she really helped me get in with the team and get to know the girls pretty well. Courtlyn has definitely been a really big influence on my first year and helping with getting my university career going.” Once again joining the Oswald sisters in the fold this season is Lauryn Keen – a dynamic forward, very familiar with both the Bison program and the Oswalds.
Keen, who grew up in Manitou, Manitoba had an explosive third year for the herd, racking up nine goals and 25 assists for 34 points – a league high. She also led the league with a + 22 +/- rating. In picking up a point in each of her first three games already this season, she is on the right track to build off of last year’ s incredible effort.
“ Lauryn just had one of those years that players have once in a blue moon,” said Head Coach Jon Rempel.“ There wasn’ t much more for her to do in a year individually. She was the Canada West MVP, the Canada West leading scorer and the Bisons’ Female Athlete of the Year. Lauryn had some great chemistry while playing with a couple of really good players this past year.”
One of those players is the aforementioned 29-yearold Venla Hovi – a two time Finnish Olympian and bronze medalist. Hovi’ s 12 years of international hockey experience easily trumps the accomplishments of her teammates, but according to linemate Keen, Hovi’ s humility and lack of arrogance is what really makes her an asset to the team.
“ She doesn’ t put herself above anyone else,” Keen said.“ Even though she has way more experience and is older than all of us, she acts like she’ s one of us and is always positive with her feedback. It’ s super nice having her on the team, and we work really well on our line together.”
Hovi, who plays the game out of“ sheer appreciation and enjoyment”, is very excited about the 2017-18 season, and the 2018 Olympics.
“ I bring myself just as I am,” she said.“ I try to be a good example as an athlete, showing quality and consistency in training, but also in my experience. I appreciate hockey more and more every year, whether it’ s in Manitoba or Finland.”
Adding to an already potent lineup is something that coach Rempel specializes in. The 2017-18 recruiting class will add size and depth to a roster hungry for another deep playoff run.
Five recruits and one transfer player, including three young women from the Winnipeg Avros – goaltender Lauren Taraschuk, forward Emilie Masse and defenseman Brielle Dacquay-Neveux – highlight the incoming flock of talent for the 2017-18 season. Also joining those recruits from out of the city will be forwards Madison Cole( Lloydminster, AB) and Natasha Kostenko( Fannystelle, MB), defenceman Lauren Warkentin( Steinbach, MB) and goaltender Devan Johnson( Stonewall, MB).
“ Coach Jon definitely brought in another great group of recruits this past year,” said Courtlyn Oswald.“ The season is here, and we are all ready to go.”
Get ready Manitoba, it’ s very tough to stop a raging herd of Bisons. ❍
136 | GAME ON | NOVEMBER 2017