Courtesy: Huskie Athletics

By Wray Morrison

The season starts early

Huskies get a jump on the 2023-24 hockey season

Apr 14, 2023 | 4:12 PM

In some ways the 2023-24 Huskie women’s hockey season has already started, according to head coach Steve Kook. Saskatchewan has the luxury of not losing any players through graduation from the 2022-23 season. With the roster all but set, this off-season looks a little bit different. “We are working on expectations in May June and July rather than October, November, December”, said Kook. “We are making sure we do the homework right now.”

The 2024 USports women’s hockey championships will be at Merlis Belsher Place next March, and as hosts, the Huskies are aware there will be high expectations. Kook has a simple response to how players are preparing now instead of the fall. “Weight room and hit the road! There’s no other way to get into hockey shape other than hit the road. You can’t bike your way into hockey shape. You’ve got to spend some time sweating.”

After securing a berth to the 2022 USports championships in Charlottetown, the Huskies were eliminated from the 2023 Canada West semi-finals by the UBC Thunderbirds. While Kook is not using injuries as an excuse, the Huskies settled for a 14 and 11 regular season record with several veteran scorers out of the line up for the second half of the campaign. 5^th year forward Sophie Lalor was tied for the team lead in points (12) even though she missed 7 regular season games.

Bumps and bruises aside, Kook says the Huskies will need more offensive consistency if the team is going to contend for the 2024 USports banner. The Huskies were 7^th in the 9 team Canada West conference with 49 goals in 28 regular season games in the 2022-23 season. The U of S had just six players reach double-digit totals in scoring. (Lalor (12 pts), Kara Kondrat (12 pts), Kendra Zuchotzki (11 pts), Kate Ball (11 pts), Taylor Wilkinson (10 pts) and Brooklyn Stevely 10 pts.)

“I think we have to have our key people contributing at key times”, said Kook. “That’s part of the expectation. We do have some people that can put the puck in the net. We have to have that push from them. Our key people were ok, but through playoffs, I don’t think they were as good as they could have been.”

provincial rivals

Huskies overcome 10-point second half deficit

Sep 20, 2025

Listen: Coach's Show with Scott Flory

First place showdown under the Friday night lights

Sep 18, 2025

Sponsored Content

Saskatoon Minor Football player profile - Kayden Miller

Sep 17, 2025

Kook is excited about three recent recruits to the program. Centre Ava Bergman from Winnipeg has committed to the University of Saskatchewan. Bergman had 18 points in 28 games with the Winnipeg Ice under-18 team last season. Forward Kahlen Wisener joins the Huskies from the Winnipeg Avros program. Kook describes Wisener as a good player with a good hockey IQ. On defense Saskatchewan has added MaKenna Stevens. The Okotoks, Alberta product joins the Huskies from the Okanagan Hockey Academy.

The 2024 USports women’s hockey championships will be held at Merlis Belsher Place during the third week of March.

—

wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @wraymorrison