CAMPUS PREVIEW: MRU's Tatum Amy named top Canada West player

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Mount Royal’s Tatum Amy has been named the 2023 Canada West Women’s Hockey Player of the Year.

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The Cougars are taking home four of the seven major awards handed out annually by the conference, and in a unique yet amazing accomplishment, Amy has single-handedly won three of them.

The regular season conference leaders, UBC Thunderbirds, win the award for Best Goals Against thanks to their defensive core and goaltenders Elise Hugens and Kate Stuart.

Amy earns the Player of the Year award after a stellar season that saw her capture the CW scoring title. She did so with her playmaking, notching 24 assists for the Cougars, quarterbacking the team to a 19-6-3 record, good for third in the conference.

Her 31 overall points in 26 games had her churning out offence at a 1.19 point-per-game clip. Her strong play showed in all facets, as she used her talent and vision to make big plays. She also ensured the team was taken care of at the defensive end. Her plus/minus rating of +18 led the Cougars, just as she did on and off the ice.

The Cougars’ captain pushed her team to a third-place finish, which gave them home ice for the first round of the CW Playoffs. Her incredible passing abilities and strong shot have been the wind under the Cougars’ wings this season.

“Tatum has been our captain for the past two seasons and continues to set the standard for our program each and every day,” said MRU head coach Scott Rivett. “Her professional approach to being a student-athlete makes everyone around her better on and off the ice. ​Each year, her game has continued to grow, and this season, it was taken to a whole new level and a big reason for the success we have had to date.”

Amy also won the conference’s Sportsmanship & Ability Award, a symbol of her character both on and off the ice. Genuine in her actions, Amy is a leader who endeavours to do right by every person in her life.

Plus she earned the Student-Athlete Community Service Award, given to the most well-rounded hockey player in Canada West.

Cougars teammate Bergesen is the league’s top defender in just her third year in Canada West. Bergesen possesses the vision and poise of a seasoned veteran from the blue-line. Those attributes, teamed with her rocket of a slapshot and high hockey IQ helped her to 22 points this season, the most in the conference among defenders.

The product of Stavenger, Norway, works her way around opponents with ease, while keeping her end of the ice safe from attack.

Bergesen was a plus-9 and power-play aficionado, notching 10 of her points on the man-advantage.

A strong team player, Bergesen helps propel her team forward from the back end, leading a defensive core that will look to grow even stronger in the coming years.

“This is a well deserved honour for Emma,” Rivet said. “Her competitive nature and commitment to push herself to get better since she came to MRU four years ago is a great example to all of our players. ​Emma’s attention to detail combined with her natural skill made her an impactful player this entire season in any situation she was put in.”

Calgary’s Mercier earns the CW Rookie of the Year award after leading all first-years in scoring. She posted nine goals and 11 assists for 22 points this season, stepping into a major role for her Dinos right away.

Mercier was the second-leading scorer for the Dinos, helping them claw their way to a fourth-place ranking. She picked up steam down the stretch, pushing her team to eight wins in their final 10 games.

Aside from her offensive talents and grit, Mercier showed her all-around value. The Saskatoon product was a plus-13 in the regular season despite her Dinos only posting five goals more than they allowed.

Mercier showed she knows how to shine in the big moments, putting together a special season that gives Calgary a lot to be excited about.

“We are incredibly proud of Sydney and thrilled she has received this recognition from Canada West,” said Dinos head coach Carla MacLeod. “Sydney gained confidence throughout the season, which was reflected in her play. She brings engaged energy to the rink every day. She loves the game. She is a student of the game. Her natural hockey sense and willingness to earn her opportunities have proven to be a good combination for both her, individually, and for our program. She’s a great teammate both on and off the ice, and we are all excited to see what the future holds for her.”

VOLLEYBALL

It’s a double dose of the Crowchild Classic served up in the volleyball quarterfinals of Canada West action, with the Dinos meeting the Cougars in both men’s and women’s action.

In women’s play, crosstown rivals renew acquaintances after splitting a pair of matches on the opening weekend of the regular season in November. The No. 2-ranked Cougars, with a 19-5 mark, are the hottest team in Canada West, winning 11 straight matches to clinch a program-best second place finish in the standings. MRU defeated Calgary in the second round of the 2022 post-season en route to winning the Canada West bronze medal. The Dinos, ranked seventh in the conference, finished with a 13-11 record.

On the men’s side, the Dinos — ranked seventh after a 12-12 regular season — turned things around from an 0-5 start to a playoff spot in 2022-23, which included a pair of losses to the Cougars and roll into the playoffs with eight wins in their last 11 matches. MRU has been even hotter for even longer, losing only twice in its final 16 matches to finish with a program record 19 regular-season wins. With just five losses, they are the second-ranked team in Canada West. Last post-season, the Cougars were eliminated in Round 1, while Calgary picked up the bronze medal.

ALSO …

The Dinos met the visiting Saskatchewan Huskies in Game 1 of the best-of-three men’s hockey semifinal series Thursday night at Father David Bauer Arena … The Canada West Curling Championships begins Friday at the Victoria Curling Club, with the top-two teams from each of the men’s and women’s draws earning a berth in the 2023 U SPORTS/Curling Canada University Championships, March 15-19 in Sudbury, Ont. The Dinos men’s team is skip Kenan Wipf, third Derek Bowyer, second Michael Keenan, lead Tyson Toews, alternate Ethan Drysdale and coach Laine Peters. Calgary’s women’s squad is made up of skip Jessica Wytrychowski, third Claire Booth, second Elliot Martens, lead Kate Ector, alternate Jessica Minshull and coach Heather Rogers … The 2023 Canada West Track and Field championships are being hosted by the University of Saskatchewan, where the finest student-athletes from B.C. and across the prairies will go for gold at the Saskatoon Field House on Feb. 24-25.

— Postmedia news services