Coming off the best season in their short history and being one goal away from a trip to the OUA Championship game and CIS Nationals, the Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team is wasting little time in adding to their program.
The Lakers are excited and proud to announce the signing of forward Hunter Mosher, a graduate of the Northern Capitals, a team based out of Prince George, B.C.
Mosher, who comes from a Chetwynd, B.C., is already counting down the days until making the trip to North Bay to begin her OUA/CIS career with the Lakers.
"My family and I are thrilled to be accepted into a wonderful program and are very grateful for the opportunity," she said. "I chose Nipissing because I really like Darren (Turcotte) and his coaching style and the school fits my academic goals greatly. I am also ecstatic to be playing with my good friend Ava (Keis). It's comforting to know she can help me get used to university."
Mosher and Keis suited up for the Northern Cougars (now Capitals) last year and will be reunited as Lakers in 2016-17.
In the time since the Lakers began play, they have evolved into a very strong team and program – qualifying for the playoffs twice, including advancing to the second round for the first time this past season.
The steps and progress the Lakers have made should only attract more high-calibre players like Mosher, who, based on the way she plays, will be a nice addition to Nipissing.
"Hunter is another addition to our program that will fit in with our long term plans. She plays the Lakers style of hockey and will fit in to our lineup nicely," Turcotte said.
The way Mosher, the 17-year-old forward, describes herself is basically what Turcotte is looking for in a player, so she should fit in very well.
"I am a power forward that plays a physical, fast, and gritty game. I am a strong skater and a hard worker," Mosher explained.
While it will be an adjustment for Mosher to make the jump from the BCFMAAA to the OUA/CIS, Mosher is just looking to chip in any way she can to help the team win and help the program continue to progress.
"My expectations for myself is to find chemistry among teammates and learn to play at the next level of hockey. I'm looking to be presence and looking to contribute to the team being as successful as they have shown this year," she said.
Mosher said she will be looking into the science programs at Nipissing when school begins in September.
While hockey is obviously a big part of the decision to attend Nipissing, Mosher brings with her a strong work ethic in the classroom as well, earning the Principal's List throughout high school.
She's also a two-time B.C. Champion, B.C. Cup Champion and was an alternate player on Team B.C. in 2015.
This season, Mosher had eight goals and six assists, coming off a big year when she had 14 goals and 14 assists, good for 28 points in 30 games in 2014-15.
In her three years in the BCFMAAA, Mosher has 25 goals, 23 assists, 48 points and 98 penalty minutes in 86 games.
Turcotte explained that Mosher is the type of player his program is looking for, but also the type of person that is going to help the program continue to take steps in the right direction.
"She is not only a valuable asset to our skill level on the ice, but is also a top-notch person that we expect to jump right into the dressing room and understand our philosophies and goals as a program," Turcotte noted.
