WINNIPEG — Bisons women's hockey are pleased to make their first recruitment announcement for the 2020-21 season, as they welcome Aimee Patrick, Meagan Relf, Hanna Bailey, Brenna Nicol, Jena Barscello, and Kylie Lesuk to the team next fall.
"The 2020 recruiting class is another step in the process for us and includes a select group of high-quality people and athletes," said Bisons women's hockey head coach Jon Rempel, currently in his 16th season coaching Manitoba.
"We are excited to have these student-athletes join us as it will add to an already young and steadily improving team."
Aimee Patrick, 17, joins the Bisons from the St. Mary's Academy Flames. The 5'9" Winnipeg forward has been the leading scorer for the Flames this season through two tournaments and played for Team Manitoba in 2018 at the Canadian U-18 Championships.
She has plenty of family ties to the sport as well — her father, Steve Patrick, played in the NHL from 1980 to 1986 while her uncle James Patrick also played in the NHL and is the current coach of the Winnipeg ICE (WHL). Her sister Madison also played five years at the U SPORTS level with the UBC Thunderbirds and her brother Nolan is on the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL, drafted in 2017.
Meagan Relf, 17, is a goalie who also joins the Bisons from St. Mary's Academy Prep, having played for the Flames the last two seasons. Last season, she played in 31 games and had two shutouts, averaging a 2.56 GAA. The 5'10" native of Oakbank, Manitoba has played for Team Manitoba at both the U16 and U18 levels and has had success in the classroom, making honour roll with distinction (90 percent or above) from 2015 to 2019.
Hanna Bailey, 17, arrives to Manitoba from the Regina Rebels, where she's played the last four seasons. A 5'9" defenceman by name, the Regina native has nevertheless played all over the ice for the Rebels, being named the top offensive forward and team MVP for the 2018-19 season. Bailey played in 25 games in 2018-19, scoring 14 goals and 11 assists — the team leader in points. At Dr. Martin Leboldus Catholic High School, Bailey has also been an honour roll student in grades nine through 11.
Brenna Nicol, 17, joins the Bisons from playing prep hockey with the Thunder Bay Queens from 2013 to today. The 5'7" forward from Nipigon, Ontario is the captain of the AA Queens this season and scored 21 goals and 27 assists in the 2018-19 season. Attending high school at St. Patrick's, she was an honour roll student last year.
Jena Barscello, 17, calls Brandon, Manitoba her hometown and arrives to the Bisons from the Yellowhead Female Chiefs, where she's played since 2015. The 5'7" forward is the captain of the Chiefs this season and has been a proven performer in the MFMHL, scoring 33 points last season to finish second in the league and a Second Team All-Star. At École Neelin High School, Barscello has also been an honour roll student in grades nine through 11.
Kylie Lesuk, 17, joins the Bisons from the Eastman Selects AAA team. The 5'6" forward from Oakbank, Manitoba scored 27 points during the 2018-19 season (12 goals, 15 assists) and added an assist in three playoff games with the Selects. She was named the team MVP and a second team MFMHL All-Star this past spring after her success. Lesuk also played for her province in 2018-19 with Team Manitoba U18.
The six new Bisons join a young roster that continues to build talent for the future. This season, Manitoba is 3-10-0-1 and continue their first half schedule next weekend with home games against the Lethbridge Pronghorns.
