Hockey - Women | 7/29/2016 9:24:00 AM

TORONTO – Valerie Lamenta, Katherine Bailey and Kelly Gribbons are among the 22 CIS athletes invited to attend Hockey Canada's Women's Development Camp in Calgary from August 5-14. Meanwhile behind the bench, Gryphon head coach Rachel Flanagan will evaluate the talent on display for spots on the 2017 Universiade team.

The event, which will include a CIS team, serves as a tune-up for Canada's best university players looking to cement their spots for the Canadian women's hockey roster at the 2017 Winter Universiade in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The CIS squad will play four games – twice against Canada's Women' Development Program, and a pair of contests against Team Sweden. The players will also be eligible to be selected for Canada's Women's Development Team's three-game exhibition series against the United States, August 17-20 in Calgary. 
 
"The invitation from Hockey Canada to participate in their summer development camp gives Team CIS a unique opportunity to come together and be evaluated against many of our country's best hockey athletes," said Flanagan. "The 12 days in Calgary will allow the coaching staff to select a team that we feel will best represent Canada at the Universiade in Kazakhstan, while also giving the athletes a chance to get to know one another ahead of the Games."

Flanagan will be accompanied by the remainder of her Universiade staff as previously announced in May, including team leader Sarah Hodges(Regina), assistant coaches Kelly Paton (Western) and Shaun Reagan (Waterloo), equipment manager Jean Huynh (McGill), and fellow Gryphon, therapist Natalie Paladino (Guelph).

Reigning CIS player of the year, Valerie Lamenta will add to the leadership core of the team. The second-year Mechanical Engineering student will share the crease with Waterloo's Stephanie Sluys. The OUA All-Star and All-Canadian had a breakthrough season becoming the first Gryphon Women's Hockey player to ever be named CIS Player of the Year in 2015-16. The Montreal native led the country in several key categories including goals against average, save percentage and winning percentage.

On the blueline will be Gryphon second-year player, Katherine Bailey who appeared in 23 games this past season for the OUA champion Gryphons team. She finished the year with 10 points on eight assists and two power play goals. Engineering student Kelly Gribbons also received an invite after a very suggessful third season with the Gryphons by finishing second on the team in scoring with 23 points in 24 games. 

Team CIS will also have the opportunity to work with Hockey Canada support staff.

TEAM CIS ROSTER

Goaltenders
Name – University - Eligibility* -  Hometown – Academics
Valerie Lamenta - Guelph – 2 - Montreal, Que. - Mechanical Engineering
Stephanie Sluys – Waterloo - 2 - Clinton, Ont. - Kinesiology
 
Defence
Name – University – Eligibility – Hometown - Academics
Katherine Bailey – Guelph – 2 - Lucan, Ont. - Child, Youth & Family
Katelyn Gosling – Western – 5-  London, Ont. -  Social Science
Brianna Iazzolino – Western – 4 - Thunder Bay, Ont. - Nursing
Maude Laramée - Montreal - 3 - Gatineau, Que. - Arts & Sciences
Alexis Larson - Regina – 4 - Weyburn, Sask. - Nursing
Kelly Murray - UBC - 4 - Medicine Hat, Alta. - Arts
Erica Rieder – Manitoba -  2 -  Regina, Sask. - Arts
 
Forwards
Name – University – Eligibility – Hometown - Academics
Kelty Apperson -  St. Thomas – 4 -  New Hamburg, Ont. - Arts
Melodie Bouchard – Ottawa - 1 -  Sept-Iles, Que. - Education
Jessica Cormier - Montreal - 2 - Cap-aux-Meules, Que. Administration
Taylor Day - Toronto - 4  - Ilderton, Ont.  - Kinesiology
Kylie Gavelin - Regina -  4 - Mankota, Sask.- Arts
Kelly Gribbons – Guelph – 3 -  Port Elgin, Ont. - Engineering Systems & Computing
Jaycee Magwood – Regina – 1 -Killarney, Man. - Kinesiology & Health
Rachel Marriott – Waterloo - 3 - Waterloo, Ont. - Recreation & Leisure
Daley Oddy – StFX – 3 - Cranbrook, B.C. - Human Kinetics
Alex Poznikoff – Alberta - 1 - Edmonton, Alta. - Physical Education
Alanna Sharman – Manitoba - 2 - Winnipeg, Man. - Business
Sam Strassburger – Nipissing -  2 -  Schreiber, Ont. - Physical & Health Education
Kaitlin Willoughby - Saskatchewan - 3 - Prince Albert, Sask. - Arts & Science
*Year of eligibility during 2015-16 CIS women's hockey season

TEAM CIS STAFF
Team Leader: Sarah Hodges (University of Regina)
Head Coach: Rachel Flanagan (University of Guelph)
Assistant Coach: Kelly Paton (Western University)
Assistant Coach: Shaun Reagan (University of Waterloo)
Equipment Manager: Jean Huynh (McGill University)
Therapist: Natalie Paladino (University of Guelph)

HOCKEY CANADA SUPPORT STAFF
Goalie Coach: Amanda Tapp
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Nick Westcott
Video Coach: Rick Traugott
Message Therapist: Lindsay Geiger