Women's Hockey Add 7 Ahead of Next Season

Head Coach, Stacey Colarossi, and the Laurentian Voyageurs women's hockey team are excited to announce the commitment of seven players for the 2021-22 season.  All seven recruits join the program out of the Provincial Women's Hockey League; the highest level of junior women's amateur hockey in Ontario.

The class begins up front with a trio of forwards pulling on the blue and gold.  Juli Davidson heads to Laurentian by way of the Whitby Jr. Wolves.  Pushing 6' tall, the power forward out of Courtice, ON, spent the previous two seasons with the Durham West Lightning U18 AA program before making the jump to junior this past season.

For Colarossi, Davidson's size and strength will be a welcomed addition to the lineup, saying, "Juli is the true power forward we have been lacking, while not compromising the speed of our group."

Joining Davidson up front is Tess McKerrow out of the Barrie Jr. Sharks program.  The Kitchener, ON, native spent last season playing for her hometown Lady Rangers U18 AA team and will be enrolling in the Criminology or Sport Psychology program in the fall. 

For the 5'8" winger, her decision to come to Sudbury was about more than just hockey.  "Laurentian has the courses, class size, and the campus size that I was interested in. I like the focus on students and their needs, seems to be a very friendly atmosphere. After speaking with the coaches, players and student liaison, it made me feel like I am genuinely a part of something great. My education is my priority but equally important is continuing my hockey career."

Colarossi, meanwhile, is looking forward to the work ethic that McKerrow is going to bring to the rink, commenting, "Tess is a strong and powerful skater with good size.  She will play a full 200 foot game while closing gaps quickly on our opposition."

Rounding out the forward group is Abigail Warriner out of the Central York Panthers organization.  A product of the Panthers youth system since the age of 7, Warriner played for the U18 AA team last season, playing a handful of games with the Junior club, before making the jump to the PWHL full time this season.

Colarossi describes the Newmarket, ON, product as a "versatile forward who brings good size and IQ."

Moving to the blue line, Marisa Freeman leads a trio of new additions.  The Ingersoll, ON, native has played the last two seasons with the London Devilettes in the PWHL, tallying nine points in 54 career games.  However, Colarossi is not necessarily relying on Freeman for her offence.  "Marisa is a quiet defenceman who makes a good first pass," she said.  She is difficult to play against and our goalies will appreciate her quiet, steady demeanour in front of them."

The future Sport and Physical Education student, who will also be enrolled in the Concurrent Education program, was helped in making her final decision by "the Northern location, the small beautiful campus and the unique Sport and Physical Education program."

Olivia Parkinson joins the Voyageurs alongside her teammate Davidson, coming out of the Whitby Jr. Wolves and Durham West Lightning programs.  What the Courtice, ON native lacks in size with her 5'3" frame, she more than makes up in skill, with her future coach describing her as an "elite level skater and puck possessor."  Colarossi continued, "Olivia can skate the OUA game today.  She should benefit our group immediately as she plays with tempo already and can contribute both offensively and defensively."

Jessica Pollard is the final rearguard joining the fold.  The Milton, ON native played last season for the Leaside Wildcats in the PWHL before joining the Stoney Creek Sabres U18 AA team this season.  The future Health Promotion student is excited about the venture north and the familiarity that surrounds it, saying, "I chose Laurentian because as soon as I stepped on campus for the first time I felt at home. I love the outdoors and going to the cottage and being on campus gave me that feeling all the time. I also knew I wanted to study in the health field and with the Health Promotion program, I knew that is what I wanted to take at university."

While the 5'4" defenceman may not be asked to contribute much offensively, her tenacity and drive will make her one of the most difficult players to play against.  "Jess has great intensity and a battle mentality," said Colarossi.  "She will keep players honest in our practices, which will help prepare for weekend competition.  Jess has a large runway due to her wanting to get better and we project her to grow into a mainstay on our back end."

Rounding out the incoming class is goaltender Kristen Mrozewski.  The 5'2" puck stopper is a local product who rose through the Sudbury Lady Wolves ranks before making the jump to the PWHL this season with the Central York Panthers.

Despite her diminutive stature, Colarossi mentions she is able to overcome that with "elite level compete, athleticism & fitness.  She will never quit on a puck or play which will force her teammates to do the same; her compete is infectious" she continued.  "I look forward to seeing her growth with daily practices, working with our goalie coach, Wayne Drabick, daily will benefit her growth and potential."

With the seven latest additions, Colarossi is excited for what the future might hold.  "Overall, I am super encouraged by our 2021-22 class; we have added much needed offensive size while not compromising our speed.  Each athlete has a moderate to high hockey IQ and an internal drive to become better."

That final point is a key one as the team will have continue to navigate the pandemic waters as they prepare for the 2021-22 season.