The Bison women's hockey team looks forward to the 2016-17 season, while they are atop the Canada West standings in the 2015-16 conference season with a 8-5-0-1 record, by announcing three new recruits. Manitoba women's hockey head coach Jon Rempel, in his 12th season at the helm, is pleased to announce the commitment of Jenai Buchanan, Megan Neduzak and Sheridan Oswald for the upcoming 2016-17 season.
Buchanan, 17, is a 5'6" defenceman who plays for the Pembina Valley Hawks (Manitoba Female Midget Hockey League - MFMHL) since 2012-13 and goes to high school at Pilot Mound Collegiate Institute. The Crystal City, MB native is team captain for the 2015-16 season and already has scored 13 points (five goals, eight assists) with +15 plus/minus rating in 22 league games so far in 2015-16 with Pembina Valley. She was also part of Team Manitoba in 2015; Pursuit of Excellence Top 27 camp in 2014; Manitoba Winter Games silver medalist; scored 22 points in first year, 20 points in second year and 23 points in third year with Pembina Valley and part of two MMFHL title (2012-2014) with the Hawks. Buchanan was also Athlete of the Year at Pilot Mound in 2013-14 and been on the Honour Roll since grade 9.
"Jenai is a solid, strong defenceman that is very hard to play against. She has the ability to be a shut down defender that plays against other teams' best players, but can also contribute offensively at the same time as she possesses a hard, heavy shot from the point," Rempel stated. "Jenai is a natural born leader with the ability to make others around her on her teams better. The Bison program is excited to be getting another top female defence man from our province who also recently helped Team Manitoba to a silver medal at the U-18 female National Championships in Huntsville, ON."
Neduzak, 17, is a 5'7" defenceman who also plays for the Pembina Valley Hawks since 2012-13 and goes to high school at Morden Collegiate. The Morden, MB native is alternate captain for the 2015-16 season and already has scored nine points (2g, 7a) with +12 plus/minus rating in 22 league games so far in 2015-16 with Pembina Valley. She was also part of Team Manitoba in 2015; Pursuit of Excellence Top 40 camp in 2014; Manitoba Winter Games silver medalist; scored six points in first year, 16 points in second year and 15 points in third year with Pembina Valley and part of two MMFHL title (2012-2014) with the Hawks. Neduzak was also Athlete of the Year at Morden in 2014-15 and been on the Honour Roll since grade 9.
"Megan's greatest assets are her skating ability, vision of the ice and competitiveness. Another one of Manitoba's top graduating defensemen, Megan also recently helped Team Manitoba to the silver medal at the U-18 female National Championships in Hunstville, ON alongside her teammate Pembina Valley teammate Jenai Buchanan and also with Sheridan Oswald, " said Rempel. "Megan is a gifted athlete in many different areas and her foot speed and ability to skate the puck out of trouble will be a good fit in the CIS and in our program. Our Bison program is very pleased that Megan has chosen to continue her post secondary education and athletic career with us right here at home in Manitoba."
Oswald, 17, is a 5'4" forward who plays for the Central Plains Capitals (MFMHL) since 2011-12 and goes to high school at MacGregor Collegiate. The MacGregor, MB native has already 33 points (21g, 12a) in 23 league games so far in 2015-16 with Central Plains. Her resume includes attending Canada's 2014 National Women's U18 Selection Camp in Calgary; Attended the IIHF High Performance Camp in Vierumäki, Finland (July 2014); Attended Canada's National Women's U18 Strength & Conditioning Camp in Hamilton (May 2014); Played for Team Manitoba and assistant captain at the 2013 National Women's Under-18 Championship in Calgary (Nov 2013); Named to the MFMHL First All-Star Team (2013-14); Led Central Plains in scoring (2013-14); Named Central Plains MVP (2012-13, 2013-14) and part of MMFHL title (2014-15) with the Capitals plus been on the Honour Roll since grade 9. Her sister Courtlyn is currently on the Bisons.
Rempel commented, "Sheridan is a dynamic player whose speed, skill and offensive creativity will have an immediate impact in our lineup. Along with those qualities, Sheridan is also highly intelligent on the ice and plays the game with intensity and attention to detail. Her extensive experience in the Manitoba AAA league with the Central Plains Capitals, Manitoba's Program of Excellence as well as Hockey Canada's Under 18 developmental program has also helped Sheridan to elevate her game to another level. Our program is very excited to have Sheridan on board as one of our key recruits for the 2016-17 season. Sheridan had a very impressive showing at the recent U-18 Female National Championships in Hunstville, ON finishing tied for the tournament lead in scoring and in the process leading Team Manitoba to a silver medal "
Bison Notes: Manitoba completes their first half of the 2015-16 conference regular season by hosting the Regina Cougars (5-5-3-1) on Friday, November 27 at 7 p.m. CT and on Saturday, November 28 at 4 p.m. CT. Both games played at the Wayne Fleming Arena.
