Jim Hunter, Head Coach of the University of Windsor Lancers Women's Hockey team is pleased to announce his recruiting class and team captains for the upcoming 2015-16 season.
 
Headlining the recruiting class are a pair of NCAA transfers in Shawna Lesperance and Sydney Dobbin along with four PWHL grads in Meredith Goldhawk, Davis Smith, Hillary Hettwer and Reagan Kaufman.
 
Lesperance, a talented forward from Emeryville, Ontario spent the past two and half seasons with the NCAA's University of Maine Black Bears in Orono, Maine. She registered 9 points in 82 career games over parts of three seasons with the Black Bears.  Prior to arriving in Maine, Shawna served as the captain for Culver Academy where she tallied 26 goals and 47 points in 47 games in her senior year.
 
"We are thrilled to have Shawna join our Lancer women's hockey program," commented Coach Hunter. "She is an extremely skilled offensive forward who brings experience and leadership to our program. We expect she'll make an immediate impact in the OUA next season."
 
Dobbin, a 5'8 defenseman from London, Ontario joins the Lancers after spending the past two seasons with Adrian College in Michigan. She registered 10 points in 29 career games with the Bulldogs. Prior to that, Sydney played for the Bluewater Hawks in the PWHL where she finished sixth in scoring amongst defensemen in 2012-13 with 22 points in 35 games.
 
"Sydney is another important addition to our program," added Coach Hunter. "She is a highly skilled and steady defender who'll contribute on both our special teams as well. She also brings valuable experience to our team and will be a big part of our team going forward."
 
Goldhawk is a 5'8 forward from Highgate, Ontario who played this past season in the PWHL for the Bluewater Hawks. In 2014-15, she recorded 9 goals and 15 points in 32 games.
 
"Meredith is another key recruit who we think is a great fit for our program," added Hunter. "She is a tenacious and gritty player who works extremely hard at both ends of the ice. We are excited to see her develop as she takes the next step into the OUA."
 
Smith, a 5'5 defenseman from Lakeside, Ontario was a teammate of Goldhawk's this past season with the Bluewater Hawks in the PWHL. She played two seasons with Bluewater and recorded 18 points in 76 career games.
 
"Davis is another important addition to our program for next year," added Hunter. "She is a solid defender who kills penalties and makes good decisions in her own end. She works extremely hard and we are excited to get her on campus this fall."
 
Hettwer is a 5'5 forward from Orangeville, Ontario. She played this past season for the Brampton Canadettes in the PWHL where she registered 7 points in 32 games.
 
"Hilary is a right shot forward who will be a great fit in our line-up," said Hunter. "Her skillset fits in well with our current group of forwards and we are excited to see her wear the Blue and Gold next year."
 
Kaufman is a 5'4 forward from Durham, Ontario who played two seasons for the Barrie Sharks in the PWHL. In 2014-15, she finished with 11 goals and 18 points in 38 games.
 
"Reagan is another talented forward that we are excited to have committed for next season," said Hunter. She has goal scoring ability and plays with passion and we think she'll be a great addition to our program for years to come."
 
The Lancer Women's Hockey team is coming off a solid 2014-15 campaign that saw them finish with a 14-6-4 record and earn an OUA playoff berth for the sixth straight season.
 
In addition to the new recruits, Hunter is also pleased to announce that veteran forwards Jillian Rops and Erinn Noseworthy have been appointed as team captains for 2015-16.
 
"We are very pleased to name Jillian and Erinn as our captains for next season," said Hunter. "They are two experienced and respected senior student-athletes and they will provide valuable leadership for our younger players throughout the upcoming year."