News and Announcements

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Vancouver Island was once again well represented at the U SPORTS field hockey championship awards event. University of Victoria defender Anna Mollenhauer (Victoria, BC – Lynx Club, St. Michael’s University School) became the first three-time winner of the Liz Hoffman Award as the U SPORTS Women’s Field Hockey player of the year on Thursday, while Calgary Dinos defender Isabella Green (Duncan, BC – Cowichan FHC, Cowichan High School) was named the winner of the Joyce Slipp Award as U SPORTS Rookie of the Year. Vikes bench boss Lynne Beecroft earned the nod as the Fox 40 U SPORTS Coach of the Year Award and hoisted the Marina Van Der Merwe Trophy in her 39th season.

Vikes forwards Nora Struchtrup (Victoria, BC – Sailors FHC, Oak Bay High School) and Chloe Langkammer (Duncan, BC – Cowichan FHC, Cowichan High School) joined Mollenhauer and Green on the U SPORTS All-Canadian list.

Catch the UVic Vikes hosting the York Lions in a best-of-three national championship series on Nov. 4 (4 pm), Nov. 5 (3 pm) and, if needed, Nov. 6 (3pm) at the UVic water-based pitch (Field 1). Tickets are available at govikesgo.com/tickets and the games will be streamed live on CBC Gem or the CBC Sports App and website.

Read full release: https://usports.ca/en/sports/field-hockey/f/news/2022/11/3971923262/2022-wfh-awards-20221103

MOLLENHAUER WINS THIRD LIZ HOFFMAN AWARD

Anna Mollenhauer earned the title of the top university field hockey player in Canada for the third time in her storied career after winning the award in 2018 and 2021. The fifth-year defender helped guide the Vikes to an unbeaten 7-0-1 record in 2022, recording eight goals and helping the Vikes’ defence to five shutouts. A versatile asset on the field, Mollenhauer was effective at stopping opponents in their circle while creating scoring chances of her own, setting her team up for success.

The Victoria Vike has helped her team to four conference championship titles in her time with the school, in addition to being a three-time All-Canadian and Top 8 Academic All-Canadian. Mollenhauer is also a member of the Field Hockey Canada Senior Women’s National Team.

GREEN WINS JOYCE SLIPP AWARD AS TOP FIRST-YEAR PLAYER

Isabella Green came to the Calgary Dinos hot off a successful individual performance at the U18 FHC National Championship, where she co-captained a Vancouver Island-based BC team. Her tireless work ethic, efficiency in both directions on the pitch and her leadership shown in the summer transitioned flawlessly to her first-year season with the Dinos.

Usually an attacker or midfielder, Green slid into one of the most challenging defensive positions on the pitch, at left defence. Tasked with managing the opponent’s strongest and often fastest strikers who are attacking on their forehand, Green didn’t seem phased. Starting and playing nearly every minute of every game was a testament to Green’s strength and fitness heading into the Canada West season, and her fearless, gritty nature made her a key cog to the Dinos’ defence.

Green rivalled with the best, tackling top players, many of who have been through the recent Canadian Junior World Cup and NextGEN cycles with full confidence. A demeanour on the pitch that carried maturity and experience is something any coach would value for a rookie stepping into the backline, and that was what Green delivered.

BEECROFT WINS FOX 40 U SPORTS COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD

For the second time in an illustrious 39-year career, Victoria Vikes bench boss Lynne Beecroft has been named the 2022 recipient of the Marina van der Merwe Award, emblematic of the Fox 40 U SPORTS Coach of the Year.

Beecroft has led the Victoria Vikes to four-straight unbeaten Canada West seasons and three U SPORTS titles. In her time with UVic, Beecroft has guided the Vikes to 35 appearances at the U SPORTS national championships, hoisting 14 McCrae Cups. Her Vikes host the York Lions this weekend in the best-of-three U SPORTS championship series.

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Former Canadian men’s national team head coach Paul Bundy will be in Victoria in parallel with the U SPORTS Women’s Field Hockey Championships to host two clinics – one for athletes and one for coaches. Bundy has over 20 years of experience as a full-time professional coach including over 250 games on the international scene. Bundy qualified the Canadian men’s program for two-consecutive Olympic Games (2016, 2020) and has led the Red Caribou in the 2018 World Cup, three Commonwealth Games, three Pan American Cups, three Pan American Games and he has also coached in three Junior World Cups.

All details: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xjb51c948xsosdz/Field%20Hockey%20Master%20Classes_Victoria%20.pdf?dl=0

Purpose
Paul will share his level of Canadian field hockey expertise with athletes and coaches. Sessions include modern techniques and methods to educate and mentor aspiring performance athletes and coaches.

There is a session for athletes (aged 14-21) and coaches (club level, high school level or high performance coaches). Video analysis, guest high performance coaches, review of the first U SPORTS Championship game and more! Get better prepared as an athlete or fill your toolbox as a coach!

Dates
Athlete seminars: Nov. 4 (6-7:15pm), Nov. 5 (10-11:15am)
Coach Seminars: Nov. 4 (7:30-8:45pm), Nov. 5 (11:30-12:45pm)

Location
McKinnon Building (Room 150) – University of Victoria

Cost
$45.99 + GST

ATHLETES register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-field-hockey-tactical-masterclass-series-for-athletes-tickets-449658830667?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

COACHES register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-field-hockey-tactical-masterclass-series-for-coaches-tickets-454916997987?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

For questions: paulbundy33@gmail.com

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(source: canadawest.org)

For the third time in her Canada West career, Victoria’s Anna Mollenhauer has been named the conference’s Field Hockey Player of the Year. Mollenhauer is just one of many who call Vancouver Island home that were highlighted in Canada West awards this weekend. University of Calgary Dino Izzy Green, from Cowichan, was named Rookie of the Year and Vikes bench boss Lynne Beecroft was named Coach of the Year. Six of the 11 conference all-stars were from Vancouver Island including Green, and Vikes players Mollenhauer, Maeve Connorton (Victoria), Libby Hogg (Victoria), Chloe Langkammer (Duncan) and Nora Struchtrup (Victoria).

This conference award winners were presented after the Victoria Vikes secured their fourth straight conference title (23rd overall). They will now move on to face the OUA Champion in a best-of-three series for the 2022 U SPORTS title on Nov. 3-7 in Victoria. The Vikes will host as the Canada West champion.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Anna Mollenhauer

Defender Fifth-year Victoria, B.C. Education

Anna Mollenhauer, a duel threat, has loomed larger than life on the field this year. The fifth-year defender helped guide the Vikes to an unbeaten 7-0-1 record in 2022, recording eight goals and helping the Vikes’ defence to five shutouts. A versatile asset on the field, Mollenhauer was effective at stopping opponents in their circle while creating scoring chances of her own, setting her team up for success.

The Victoria Vike also won the award in 2018 and 2021, and has helped guide her team to four conference championship titles in her time with the school. In addition, the Victoria, B.C. native was selected as the 2021 U SPORTS Player of the Year, 2019 U SPORTS national championship MVP and is a three-time All-Canadian and Top 8 Academic All-Canadian.

Anna continues to showcase her international experience, composure and skills for the Vikes as we go for a fourth-straight U SPORTS National title. As a defender Anna is an outstanding distributor and leader from the back but give her an inch and she will take a mile. Not afraid to go on attack and with no shortage of skills to get her there, Anna has scored 8 regular season goals (field and penalty corner goals) and helped the Vikes go undefeated this season. Anna is all a co-captain and a humble, considerate and caring team member and leader.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Isabella Green

Defender First-year Duncan, B.C. Arts

Green came to the Calgary Dinos hot off a successful individual performance at the U18 FHC National Championship where she co-captained a Vancouver Island-based BC team. Her tireless work ethic, efficiency in both directions on the pitch and her leadership shown in the summer transitioned flawlessly to her first-year season with the Dinos.

Usually an attacker or midfielder, Green slid in to one of the most challenging defensive positions on the pitch, at left defence. Tasked with managing opponent’s strongest and often fastest strikers who are attacking on their forehand, Green didn’t seem phased. Starting and playing nearly every minute of every game was a testament to Green’s strength and fitness heading in to the Canada West season and her fearless, gritty nature made her a key cog to the Dinos defence.

Green rivalled with the best, tackling top players, many who have been through the recent Canadian Junior World Cup and NextGEN cycles, with full confidence. A demeanour on the pitch that carried maturity and experience is something any coach would value for a rookie stepping in to the backline and that was what Green delivered.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Lynne Beecroft

39th season
Beecroft has been named the Canada West Coach of the Year for the sixth time in her career (1990, 1994, 2002, 2014, 2015, 2022). Beecroft has led the Victoria Vikes to three straight unbeaten seasons and four straight Canada West and U SPORTS titles.

In her time with UVic, Beecroft has guided the Vikes to 34 appearances at the U SPORTS national championships, hoisting 14 McCrae Cups. Beecroft’s teams have also captured 16 Canada West Championships. It is only fitting that in her 39th season as head coach of the Vikes Lynne Beecroft or “Buzz” as we call her would win Coach of the Year. Her creative and compassionate approach to bringing the team together is no doubt the reason why women’s field hockey boasts the most number of Canadian national titles among all @uvicvikes sports. Another undefeated season, a potential fourth-straight and 15th overall U SPORTS title (all under Buzz’s reign) and helping hoist the program’s 21st Canada West title are the team accolades that likely win her this award but to the team and alumni, it is the details that those outside the program don’t see that really make her worthy of this accolade. From team themes, to creative gifts, to her heart and kindness to keep the team active and contributing members of the community – Buzz is one of a kind.

2022 ALL-STARS
D / Kaileigh Chow / UBC / 5 / Vancouver, BC / Science
M / Maeve Connorton / VIC / 1 / Victoria, BC / Social Sciences
M / Izzy Fraser / UBC / 4 / Vancouver, BC / Arts
M / Kenzie Girgis / UBC / 1 / Ottawa, ON / Applied Science
D / Isabella Green / CGY / 1 / Duncan, BC / Arts
D / Libby Hogg / Victoria / 2 / Victoria, BC / Social Sciences
F/M / Chloe Langkammer / Victoria / 2 / Duncan, BC / Education
D / Anna Mollenhauer / Victoria / 4 / Victoria, BC / Education
G / Hannah Rumble / UBC / 3 / Vancouver, BC / Arts
F / Mikayla Stelling / UBC / 2 / Vancouver, BC / Kinesiology
F / Nora Struchtrup / Victoria / 2 / Victoria, BC / Science

Read more:
https://canadawest.org/news/2022/10/23/field-hockey-fh-mollenhauer-headlines-major-award-winners.aspx

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At the mid-day break of the 2022 Bridgman Cup tournament, hosted Oct. 7-9 at the University of Victoria, two Victoria players were named co-winners of the prestigious Stephanie Doney (Johnston) Award. This award is presented annually during the Bridgman Cup to a graduating high school player who best exemplifies the traits of Stephanie.

Congratulations to Lynx players Katie Bentley (Oak Bay High School) and Shyana Ringma (Mount Douglas Secondary). Bentley and Ringma follow recent winners Nora Struchtrup of Oak Bay (2020) and Janet Dawson of Mount Douglas Secondary (2019), while the award was not presented in 2021. This is also the return of the Bridgman Cup that has not been held since 2019 due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Final games take place on Oct. 9 at UVic and a full schedule is online here: https://www.bridgmancup.com/schedule

2022 Co-Winner: Katie Bentley, Oak Bay High
Katie Bentley is yet-another superb product out of the Oak Bay High School athletics program. As talented at soccer as she is at field hockey, the sport is grateful she chose to pursue hockey in her post-secondary pursuits. Katie is a first-year UVic Vikes women’s field hockey team member, showcasing her skills in the midfield and she fits right in after demonstrating such great athleticism, work ethic and leadership through her high school athletics career. Katie and her Oak Bay teammates worked hard for four seasons become provincial champions and have an undefeated season in 2020, while in 2019 they won the Bridgman Cup in a shootout for the first time in 60 years. Outside of Oak Bay Katie was a dedicated regional and provincial player in the elite Field Hockey BC programs and was both a captain and Tournament 11 all-star at the 2019 National Championships. Katie was selected to Canada’s NextGEN programming and was a designated Provincial Development Level 1 player in the CSI Olympic pathway. Katie is invested as an athlete but also finds time to be a dedicated academic and community member. Katie coaches, referees soccer and was a member of Oak Bay’s Athletic Leadership group for two years. Katie was a member of the Fast & Female Youth Advisory Council and takes part in numerous initiatives, clubs and activities that support the growth and empowerment of women. Katie is pursuing civil engineering at UVic and is a most deserving co-recipient of this award.

2022 Co-Winner: Shyana Ringma, Mount Douglas Secondary
Shyana Ringma has been playing field hockey since the age of seven. A long-standing member of Victoria’s Junior League, Shyana is now an avid contributor as a coach to several youth teams and has been for several years. Now a member of the UBC Thunderbirds women’s field hockey team, Shyana can look back fondly on her high school years with Mount Douglas Secondary and her many appearances on provincial and Canadian junior national squads. Shyana represented B.C. at national championships in Toronto and Calgary and then was selected for Canada’s NextGEN program, named to a top U16 Canadian team to tour in San Diego and compete against the USA. While the COVID pandemic disrupted several opportunities leading in to her university start-up, that didn’t seem to de-rail Shyana’s spirit. In grade 10, Shyana was named MVP of the field hockey team she went on to captain the program in grade 11 and 12. She is also a competitive dancer, having trained in a variety of dance types for nearly 12 years, and dedicates a lot of her time to giving back to the communities that have helped build her up. In addition to coaching in the junior field hockey league, Shyana is also a dedicated field hockey umpire and she earned the Foley Shield for the most improved umpire in the Vancouver Island Ladies league. Shyana intends to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce at UBC while continuing with her field hockey pursuits with the Thunderbirds. Shyana is well-deserving to be a co-recipient of this award.

About Stephanie Doney Johnston
Stephanie was a graduate of Esquimalt High School where she excelled at Track and Field and Field Hockey. She went on to complete her teaching degree at the University of Victoria where she was a valuable member of the Vikette’s Field Hockey team. During Stephanie’s teaching career she was the coach of several school teams taking them to the provincial championship level.

Stephanie was an active member in the Vancouver Island Ladies Field Hockey Association right up until she was diagnosed with leukemia.

As an athlete she excelled in all sports, and could turn her hand to anything. She was competitive, hardworking and inspirational and demonstrated good sportsmanship at all times. As a person, she was loving, genuine, generous and beautiful inside and out. As a mother of three small children, she was devoted; as a friend, unforgettable. She died in March 1991 at the age of 39, but her amazing qualities as a person and athlete live on in the memories of her family, friends and students and are valued by the recipients of the Stephanie Johnston (Doney) Memorial Scholarship.

View a full list of winners here: https://www.bridgmancup.com/about

Photo (L-R): Nancy Mollenhauer (Brigman Cup organizing committee), Katie Bentley, Shyana Ringma, Shelley Andrews (Bridgman Cup tournament chair)

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After a two-year hiatus, the prestigious Bridgman Cup high school field hockey tournament will finally return to the University of Victoria campus this weekend, Friday, Oct. 7 to Sunday, Oct. 9. In addition, it will be the first major event on the newly-laid water-based pitch at UVic that opens just this week.

The tournament brings together several of the province’s best high school girls field hockey programs and is a showcase for island hockey talent. It’s also an opportunity for local officials (technical and umpires) to take part in a three-day tournament. The last edition ran in 2019, while the tournament has been running since 1937.

Island teams taking part this year include Cowichan Secondary, Shawnigan Lake, St. Michael’s University School and Oak Bay, while several historic programs like Handsworth, Collingwood, South Delta, Argyle and Kelowna help round out the 12-team tournament.

The Bridgman Cup is the oldest field hockey tournament in North America. The silver cup donated by Commander Montague Bridgman, was a trophy to be played for annually among the few teams in Victoria and Duncan. Specially designed pins were presented to the winners, the prototype kept on file at Birks, and the pin ceremony tradition continues to this day.

In 2019, Oak Bay won the Bridgman Cup title for the first time since 1937 knocking off Handsworth in an exciting shootout after a 1-1 regulation time score. Also happening at the tournament will be the presentation of the Stephanie Doney (Johnston) Award, last awarded in 2019 to Nora Schrutrup.

This year the tournament is chaired by Shelley Andrews and is organized by a fabulous group of volunteers including Gillian Braun, Nancy Griffin, Denise Hall, Pat Hall, Bunny Hughes, Alanna Martin, Nancy Mollenhauer, Brenda Rushton, Alison Sweeten, Carrie Trumpy, Sandy Zinkowski.

Everyone is encouraged to come out to watch and support the return of one of B.C.’s favourite hockey tournaments. In addition, Hockey King Sports, a Vancouver-based field hockey equipment provider, will be on site on Saturday, Oct. 8.

For the full schedule visit: https://www.bridgmancup.com/schedule
Follow along at: instagram.com/bridgmancup