17吃瓜

Bruce Donaldson, coach of the 17吃瓜 Women鈥檚 Hockey team, has recruited defender Elizabeth Beiersdorfer from Orleans, Ontario, to play for the Panthers in 2021鈥�2022. Beirsdorfer played from 2018鈥�2020 with the Cornwall Typhoons (Midget AA) and later with the Ottawa Lady 67s of the Junior Women鈥檚 Hockey League (JWHL).

Beirsdorfer鈥檚 season with the 67s was cut short by COVID-19, but she said she embraced everything the team had to offer. From practice time to participating in 4-on-4 games with the local Provincial Women鈥檚 Hockey League (PWHL) team, the 67s helped keep her skills sharp during the pandemic.

鈥淚n some ways, we bonded as a team even closer because we experienced this together,鈥� said Beiersdorfer. 鈥淲e all worked hard to make it fun, productive, and beneficial for us all.鈥�

Coach Donaldson has actively recruited several players from the JWHL in recent years.

鈥淭he programs are run very well, and many of their players transition to U SPORTS hockey a little easier,鈥� said Donaldson. He notes that at five-foot-10, 18-year-old Beiersdorfer brings size, strength, and power to a lineup looking to fend off foes like the St. FX X-Women and the Saint Mary鈥檚 Huskies.

鈥淭he AUS is a tough league,鈥� said Donaldson. 鈥淚 felt we required a little more size in our rotation to help us out.鈥�

The current Panther line-up includes four veteran defenders, with four rookies competing for limited ice time.

鈥淭he plan is to develop all our defenders so we can continue to have a strong core for the next few years,鈥� he said. 鈥淭raining camp is going to be very interesting in September. We鈥檒l be looking closely at each player and how they handle pressure.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to join the Panther family,鈥� said Beiersdorfer. 鈥淚 honestly believe a team is only as strong as their weakest link, and I see myself working hard to contribute to this championship-calibre team.鈥�

Go Panthers Go!