GUELPH, Ont. - A total of six new faces are featured in the 2023-24 edition of the Gryphons women's hockey recruiting class. Two forwards, two defenders, and two goalies will join the Gryphons women's hockey program from the Ontario Women's Hockey Association's (OWHA) U22 Elite League. The Gryphons drop the puck on the 2023-24 OUA regular season on October 14 at Windsor, where Guelph will begin their pursuit of the eighth OUA title in program history.
"We expect big things from this year's group of incoming rookies," says interim head coach,
Katie Mora, who
played five seasons with the Gryphons women's hockey program (2010-11 to 2014-15) prior to beginning her coaching career during the 2016-17 season. The 2023-24 season will mark Katie Mora's first season as interim head coach of the University of Guelph women's hockey program, following the recent announcement of Gryphons current head coach,
Rachel Flanagan, taking a
one-year leave to pursue a coaching opportunity within the PWHL. "The six women joining the team all have the potential to contribute right away," adds Mora, who has served as an associate coach with the Gryphons women's hockey program for the past seven seasons. "Even though our incoming rookies are joining an experienced team, there will be some opportunities to play significant roles throughout the season as we look to build on last season's success."
The Gryphons women's hockey team just wrapped up an impressive preseason, in which the team posted a 5-1 record. The team will officially drop the puck on their 28-game 2023-24 OUA regular season schedule on Saturday, October 14 with a road matchup against the Windsor Lancers. The Gryphons will return to U of G campus the following week on Thursday, October 19 for their home opener, which will be a rematch of the 2022-23 OUA semifinal round when the University of Toronto Varsity Blues visit the Gryphon Centre Arena.
#1 Sophie Helfenstein
Position: Goaltender
Height: 5-5
Previous Team: Whitby Wolves (U22 Elite)
Hometown: Ajax, ON
Additional Note: 18 GP, 11-7 W-L, 0.94 SV%, 1.97 GAA in 2022-23
Quote from Interim Head Coach, Katie Mora: "Sophie is an exceptional athlete and a true student of the game, her work ethic in pursuit of development will prove to be a valuable asset to this team."
#8 Nikita Nayak
Position: Defence
Height: 5-4
Previous Team: Central York Panthers (U22 Elite)
Hometown: Richmond Hill, ON
Additional Note: 39 GP, 3 G, 6 A, 9 Pts in 2022-23
Quote from Interim Head Coach, Katie Mora: "Nikki joins the team as an excellent skater who can use her speed and willingness to play a physical game to create plays at both ends of the ice."
#13 Reese Coffey
Position: Defence
Height: 6-0
Previous Team: Kingston Ice Wolves (U22 Elite)
Hometown: Thunder Bay, ON
Additional Note: 41 GP, 11 G, 12 A, 23 Pts in 2022-23
Quote from Interim Head Coach, Katie Mora: "Reese will come in and add some strength and size to our blueline while also having the ability to contribute on offence from the back end."
#16 Jadyn Calder
Position: Forward
Height: 5-4
Previous Team: Cambridge Rivulettes (U22 Elite)
Hometown: Bayden, ON
Additional Note: 42 GP, 5 G, 18 A, 23 Pts in 2022-23
Quote from Interim Head Coach, Katie Mora: "Jaydn's ability to make plays under pressure and in tight spaces should allow her to adjust quickly to the speed of the OUA game, paired with her strong shot she can be expected to be an offensive contributor for the program going forward."
#23 Katie Dance
Position: Forward
Height: 5-8
Previous Team: London Devilettes (U22 Elite)
Hometown: Aylmer, ON
Additional Note: 43 GP, 11 G, 16 A, 27 Pts in 2022-23
Quote from Interim Head Coach, Katie Mora: "Katie is not afraid to go to the hard areas of the ice which, paired with her great vision and play making ability, should allow her to find herself contributing immediately."
#31 Grace Vokes
Position: Goalie
Height: 5-5
Previous Team: Cambridge Rivulettes (U22 Elite)
Hometown: Owen Sound, ON
Additional Note: 11 GP, 2.02 GAA, .930 SV%
Quote from Interim Head Coach, Katie Mora: "Grace is a great addition to the Gryphon family and has made an immediate impact on the team with her attitude, hard work, and maturity."
