Josh Schaefer/Get My Photo

By Katie Brickman-Young

Bourassa named captain

Bourassa ready to lead Huskies

Oct 3, 2021 | 7:50 PM

Naming Baillie Bourassa as the captain for the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Huskies women’s hockey team was an easy decision for head coach Steve Kook.

“Along with her seniority as a fifth-year player, she brings a lot to the team,” said Kook. “Players follow her lead. It was a natural selection for us.”

Joining Bourassa as part of the leadership group is third-year forward Kennedy Brown and fourth-year forward Abby Shirley.

“Being named captain is special to me. I didn’t have to come back and play in my last year (of availability). I already had my degree, but there is something about finishing your five years as a Huskie athlete,” said Bourassa. “Putting on the C is pretty special to me, knowing that I can lead the team this year. It is exciting and honourable to be named captain and it is a privilege to wear that letter.”

Bailee Bourassa (Photo By Josh Schaefer/Huskie Athletics/GetMyPhoto.ca)

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The Huskies underwent a complete roster overhaul this season, bringing in 15 rookies, including 13 players experiencing USports for the first time. The pandemic disrupted play last season, which resulted in many players graduating and moving on to professional careers.

With such a young core, there will be a lot of teaching, something Kook hopes his veterans will help provide support and guidance.

“There are things that we can’t teach as coaches and they need to learn from the vets, like how to prepare for a game or back-to-back games, and how to get your body and mind ready,” said Kook. “It has been a learning experience for our veteran group … just understanding the depth and how much teaching is going to be needed to go into the season.”

Off the ice, Bourassa has a busy life and hopes to lead by example. The 22-year-old from Weyburn is working 12-hour shifts as a nurse while taking her Master of Nursing at USask.

“I thrive off being busy. I’ve learned so much over the past year, with balancing work, school, and sports. I really wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Bourassa.

Kook isn’t surprised that Bourassa, who is a four-time USports Academic All-Canadian (awarded to those who earn an average of more than 80 percent while taking full course loads), will help the younger players with the off-ice responsibilities.

“With Baillie, there is a different aspect when it comes to her captaincy – she is a mature student, working as a nurse and also involved in elite athletics,” he said. “I think in addition to the on-ice mental and game preparation, I think they can learn a lot about management and balance. She also does a lot of community work. For our young players to see Baillie excel in all those areas, it is really important for them to see what this program can do for them.”

As much as Bourassa wants her scoring abilities to drive the Huskies, she wants to be a solid leader that everyone can look up to, something she learned from her previous leaders.

“Our previous captains instilled hard work and I hope to do the same. If you are showing people how it’s done and if you are doing something good, it makes others want to follow, so that is something I have taken note of and something I want to continue as captain of the Huskies,” said Bourassa.

As the team gets ready for a shortened season, the captain group will look to provide the guidance and support to lead this Huskies team.

“Kennedy is our energy person, and she likes to get the girls going and amped up. Abby comes with a lot of wisdom and says the things that need to be said,” said Bourassa. “I think we have a good mix of leader capabilities. It is great to have that balance throughout our leadership core.”

The Huskies get their regular season underway against the University of Regina Cougars with a home-and-home series. The home-opener will be October 23 at Merlis Belsher Place.