Three forwards and two defensemen make up the newcomers who will join a veteran Clarkson University Women's Hockey team this fall. Head coach Rick Seeley and assistant coaches Shannon Smith and Laura Hays have brought in another promising recruiting class of four freshmen and have also added a talented transfer to help bolster a Golden Knight lineup which expects to challenge for the ECAC Hockey League title in 2006-07.
Defensemen Courtney O'Connor and Carlee Eusepi along with forwards Genevieve Lavoie, Ashleigh Moorehead and Britney Selina project to provide a major impact for the Green and Gold, who begin their fourth year of play this winter.
The newcomers will join a Clarkson squad that returns 19 letterwinners from last year's team, which posted a 22-14-1 overall record and tied for third in the ECACHL with a 12-8 conference mark.
Below are brief summaries on the individual members of the incoming class with quotes from head coach Seeley.
Carlee Eusepi – Defense – Oakville, Ontario
5-10, 158, D.O.B: 10-23-88
Hockey Awards: Team Ontario Under-18 National Champions (2005, 2006 seasons) … School Athlete of the Year and Humanitarian.
High school/Last Team: Trafalgar H.S. / Toronto Aeros
2005-06 Statistics: Senior Aeros - 3 games, 1 goal, 2 assists
Junior Aeros - 29 games, 2 goals, 12 assists
"Based on talent, commitment level and potential, Carlee was our highest rated defenseman in our recruiting class. She brings a great attitude with a desire to improve every day. I expect her to be utilized on both the power play and penalty killing units. I believe Carlee will develop into a big-time player at this level."
Genevieve Lavoie – Forward - St. Laurent, Quebec
5-11, 153, D.O.B: n/a
Hockey Awards: Feminin Collegial AA Second Team (Cejep Hockey League) …
Captain … Best Offensive Player … Player of the Year … Student-Athlete Award for keeping above 80%
High school/Last Team: St. Laurent
2005-06 Statistics: 26 games, 28 goals, 18 assists
"Not many know about Genevieve right now but I expect that to change pretty quickly. She was a great player that led an average team to the CEGEP finals. For some reason she went relatively unnoticed. She will prove this was a big mistake for our competition. Genevieve plays a very physical game and combines great vision with execution. She has very talented hands with an equal ability to score or set up her teammates."
Ashleigh Moorehead – Forward – Clinton, New York
5-9, 145, D.O.B: 08-26-88
Hockey Awards: NYS Girls Hockey Champions-2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 …
USA Hockey U16 National Champions-2004 … Selected for the USA Hockey Girls' Select 17/18 Player Development Camp in Lake Placid for 2006 … Recently inducted into the Career and Technical Education Center Honor Society-2006
High school/ Team: Clinton H.S./ Syracuse Stars AAA
2005-06 Statistics: n/a
"Ashleigh was one of the hardest working players we saw last year. She combines an intense work ethic with good skills, making her a pain to play against. We simply had to have her in the program. Fans and teammates will appreciate her never-quit attitude."
Courtney O'Connor – Defense – Chicago, Illinois
5-3, 125, DO.B: 07-13-87
Hockey Awards: Played for Chicago Young Americans of the Midwest Elite League before attending Northeastern last season ... Captained the Under-19 team to a 24-13-6 record in 2004-05... Led Chicago defensemen with 25 points on six goals and 19 assists ... Was named Team MVP and a Midwest Elite All-Star ... Captained the Under-16 team to a 32-12-7 record and the state and regional championships in 2003-04 ... A Hockey Night in Boston All-Star
High school /Last Team: Chicago Young Americans/Northeastern University
2005-06 Statistics at Northeastern: 33 games, 1 goal, 3 assists, 10/20 pen/mins.
"Courtney was a late pick up, transferring in from Northeastern. She is a very intelligent defenseman and sees the ice very well. Despite her smaller size, Courtney usually comes out of battles in the corners with the puck. Courtney's determination and desire will give us much-needed depth at the defensive position."
Britney Selina – Center – Thornhill, Ontario
5-6, 156, D.O.B: 04-07-88
Hockey Awards: Team Ontario Under-18 National Champions (2005, 2006 seasons) … Team Captain
High school / Last Team: Westmount Collegiate Institute/ Etobicoke Dolphins
2005-06 Statistics: 28 games, 27 goals, 12 assists
"A lot will be expected of Britney this year. She combines a strong power game with the touch of a gifted scorer around the net. Britney sees the ice very well and will be counted on to contribute to the power play immediately. She will bring a lot to this team, both on the ice and in the locker room. Britney has the potential to be an offensive force for us."