Hansen-Young brings physicality
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/04/2020 (2191 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The crest on Jori Hansen-Young’s jersey will only change slightly when she heads to Calgary in the fall of 2021 to suit up for the Mount Royal Cougars women’s hockey team.
In fact, it will get more specific. Hansen-Young, who has skated three seasons with the Westman Wildcats of the Manitoba Female U18 AAA Hockey League, committed to the Cougars on Friday.
The Brandonite blue-liner will join a Cougars program that is coming off its first-ever Canada West final appearance and first-ever trip to U Sports nationals. MRU’s miracle run in Prince Edward Island was halted short due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The Cougars had stunned the Toronto Varsity Blues with a dramatic overtime win in the quarterfinals.
Hansen-Young is excited to join a program on the upswing.
“I did a tour at MRU and I just had conversations with (head coach) Scott (Rivett) and I just knew where that’s what I wanted to be.”
Hansen-Young enjoyed the smaller campus situated on the western edge of Calgary, just 126 kilometres away from the picturesque town of Banff.
“I talked to a lot of girls there and they said that having smaller class sizes is really a tool,” she said. “Especially when you’re a student-athlete to have a relationship with your professors.”
The proximity of the mountains was also a plus for the Prairie-dwelling defender.
“It’s so pretty out there and I love the city,” Hansen-Young said.
The Vincent Massey student plans on becoming a physical therapist when she’s done post-secondary. Hansen-Young is interested in the physical literacy program at MRU.
Hansen-Young joins former Wildcats Andrea Sanderson and Tori Willams, who helped in her recruitment.
“(They said) it’s a great program,” Hansen-Young said. “Scott’s a great coach and they just love the feel of it.”
Of course, the Westman program also helped in preparing Hansen-Young for the next step in her career.
“The Wildcats program is really good at getting in touch with schools,” she said. “As soon as you start in the program they’re really good at giving us all the tools and all the support we need to reach out to those universities.”
Last season, Hansen-Young notched 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 24 games patrolling the Wildcats’ blue-line, earning her a spot on the league’s second all-star team. In 161 career games, she has 81 points.
“The Wildcats is such a good program,” Hansen-Young said. “It’s such a welcoming program, everyone’s there and there’s so much support. The older girls, the coaches are so awesome.”
The five-foot-11 defender said she brings a lot of physicality out on the ice.
“I think I’m strong on the backend,” she said. “My shot generates lots of scoring chances.”
Rivett expects her to make an immediate impact when Hansen-Young gets to Calgary.
“She is a tremendous kid who will fit into our culture and with her size, strength and hockey sense,” Rivett said in a news release.
Being able to head into next season knowing she will be playing hockey at the university level is a comforting feeling for Hansen-Young. She is thankful for the opportunity to keep playing after her high school career.
“It’s such a good opportunity,” she said. “I’m thankful for the experience and to continue my hockey career and continue my education, it’s just a great opportunity that I’ve been given.”
Hansen-Young wants to develop all aspects of her game, from shooting and skating to her game sense. Specifically though, she wants to get quicker.
“Personally I know I’m not the strongest skater,” she said. “So I’m going to focus on my skating, my foot speed, my all-around quickness.”
The Wildcats, the 2019 league champions, were dethroned in the semifinals this season by the Winnipeg Avros. No league champion was determined this season after all leagues cancelled their seasons due to the pandemic.
Hansen-Young wants to end her U18 hockey career on a high note with the Wildcats.
“We had a tough loss in the playoffs this season,” she said. “But we’re hoping to come back strong next season and make the final next year.”
» rstelter@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @steltsy94