The Lancer women's hockey team is excited to announce a new partnership with the Lakeshore Lightning/Essex Thunder Girls Hockey Association.
 
The collaboration with the two associations will integrate Lancer players and coaches into many aspects of the Lakeshore & Essex yearly programs. The blue and gold will have representation with all the Lakeshore/Essex teams, and they will participate in practices, team building, and more.  The Lancers will be bringing teams on campus for tours, as well as provide academic advising, host a university hockey information session, and invite the Lakeshore graduates to practice with us. 
 
The Lancers will also feature each Lakeshore team at a home game throughout the regular season and will have a presence at the annual International Hocktoberfest girls' hockey tournament hosted annually by the Lightning at the Atlas Tube Centre.  
 
"We are very excited to partner with the Lancer women's hockey program," said Lakeshore Lightning President Gord Lachine. "Not only will our players have the opportunity to connect with these high-level athletes, but they also gain a thorough understandings of the post-secondary opportunities available through athletics and academics."
 
The partnership came to be through an initiative started during the 2021-22 season with the Lancers and their newly instituted minor hockey program. The program included Lancer representation at a minimum of four team practices, a team building session hosted by the blue and gold, a team night at a Lancer game that included a post game dressing room tour, and a Lancer t-shirt.
 
"I am beyond excited for this opportunity, and I believe this is a great partnership, as it is advantageous to all parties involved," said women's hockey head coach Deanna Iwanicka. "We appreciate the support of the Lakeshore Lightning and hope that through this partnership we can enhance our student- athletes' experience, while also bringing value to our community and the game of female hockey.  These young players will now have access to a great resource, and hopefully many more to come."
 
The Lancers have already started to integrate themselves into the Lakeshore/Essex programs, assisting at their tryouts over the past ten days. Graduating senior goaltender Jaydlin Spooner will also be taking a coaching role within the organization.