Graduating Lancer goaltender Jaydlin Spooner will take up a coaching role with the Lakeshore Lightning and Essex Thunder Girls Hockey Association as part of a partnership announced this week.
A partnership of the Lancer women’s hockey team with the Lakeshore Lightning and Essex Thunder Girls Hockey Association will integrate University players and coaches in many aspects of its programming: practices, team building, and more.
The Lancers will bring teams on campus for tours, provide academic advising, host an information session on university hockey, and invite Lakeshore graduates to practise with varsity players.
The blue and gold will also feature each Lakeshore team at a home game throughout the regular season and will appear at the annual International Hocktoberfest girls’ hockey tournament hosted by the Lightning at the Atlas Tube Centre.
“I am beyond excited for this opportunity, and I believe this is a great partnership, as it is advantageous to all parties involved,” says Lancer 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.”
The Lancers have already started to join Lakeshore and Essex programs, assisting at their tryouts over the last couple of weeks. Graduating senior goaltender Jaydlin Spooner will take up a coaching role with the organization.