# York Lions women's ice hockey

The York Lions women's ice hockey team represents York University in Toronto, Ontario in the sport of ice hockey in the Ontario University Athletics conference of U Sports. The York Lions have won three OUA championships in their program history while making one appearance in the U Sports women's ice hockey championship tournament since its inception in 1998.

## History

On February 11, 2000, the Ontario University Athletics women's ice hockey program saw its longest game take place. The University of Toronto's Rhonda Mitchell scored on a 35-foot slap shot. It was the 5:07 mark of the eighth period and the Varsity Blues defeated York University. Although the victory allowed the U of T to advance to the OUA gold medal game, it was the longest in the history of Canadian women's hockey (since broken). The game lasted over five hours and ten minutes. York's player of the game was goaltender Debra Ferguson, as she valiantly made 63 saves over 125 minutes.
On February 5, 2011, two Lions players, forward Courtney Unruh and defender Kelsey Webster (and assistant coach Stacey Colarossi) were part of the Team Canada roster that captured gold at the 2011 Winter Universiade title as Canada defeated Finland 4–1 in the gold-medal final. Autumn Mills was the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) nominee for the 2011 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Marion Hillard Award.
After seven years of finishing out of the playoffs, the 2019-20 Lions team finished with a 14–0–8–2 record and a third-place finish in the OUA. The Lions swept both the Waterloo Warriors and Nipissing Lakers in the OUA playoffs before losing the McCaw Cup championship to the Toronto Varsity Blues in a sudden death 1–3 loss. Because the Lions were an OUA finalist, the team qualified for the U Sports women's ice hockey championship for the first time in program history in 2020. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, the tournament was cancelled on the day that the Lions were scheduled to play against the McGill Martlets in the opening round game. The 2020–21 season was cancelled due to the pandemic and the Lions finished last in their division following their return to play in 2021–22.

### Recent results

| Year | GP | W | OTW | T | L | OTL | P | Standing | Post-season |
| 2003-04 | 22 | 2 | – | 1 | 19 | – | 5 | 4th in OUA East | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2004-05 | 22 | 1 | – | 2 | 19 | 0 | 4 | 4th in OUA East | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2005-06 | 24 | 6 | – | 8 | 10 | 0 | 20 | 7th in OUA | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2006-07 | 24 | 9 | – | 1 | 14 | 0 | 19 | 7th in OUA | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2007-08 | 27 | 11 | – | 4 | 11 | 1 | 27 | 6th in OUA | Lost OUA Quarter-Final (0–1 (SO)) vs. Guelph |
| 2008-09 | 27 | 15 | – | 0 | 12 | 0 | 30 | 4th in OUA | Lost OUA Quarter-Final (0–2) vs. Brock |
| 2009-10 | 27 | 13 | 4 | – | 9 | 1 | 45 | 3rd in OUA | Lost OUA Quarter-Final (2–3) vs. Windsor |
| 2010-11 | 27 | 7 | 4 | – | 16 | 0 | 22 | 7th in OUA | Lost OUA Quarter-Final vs. Brock (0–2 series) |
| 2011-12 | 26 | 12 | 1 | – | 12 | 1 | 28 | 6th in OUA | Won OUA Quarter-Final vs. Queen's (2–1 series) Lost OUA Semi-Final vs. Western (1–2 series) |
| 2012-13 | 26 | 6 | 2 | – | 15 | 3 | 22 | 9th in OUA | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2013-14 | 24 | 4 | 2 | – | 16 | 2 | 16 | 11th in OUA | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2014-15 | 24 | 11 | – | – | 10 | 3 | 25 | 10th in OUA | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2015-16 | 24 | 8 | 1 | – | 11 | 4 | 27 | 10th in OUA | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2016-17 | 24 | 6 | 0 | – | 15 | 3 | 20 | 12th in OUA | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2017-18 | 24 | 8 | 0 | – | 14 | 2 | 28 | 10th in OUA | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2018-19 | 24 | 8 | 3 | – | 12 | 1 | 31 | 9th in OUA | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2019-20 | 24 | 14 | 0 | – | 8 | 2 | 44 | 3rd in OUA | Won OUA Quarter-Final vs. Waterloo (2–0 series) Won OUA Semi-Final vs. Nipissing (2–0 series) Lost OUA Championship (1–3) vs. Toronto U Sports championship cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2020-21 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2021-22 | 17 | 3 | 1 | – | 12 | 1 | 12 | 11th in OUA | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2022-23 | 27 | 7 | 2 | – | 18 | 0 | 12 | 6th in OUA East | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2023-24 | 28 | 8 | 1 | – | 17 | 2 | 44 | 4th in OUA East | Won OUA Quarter-Final vs. Nipissing (2–0 series) Lost OUA Semi-Final vs. Waterloo (1–2 series) |
| 2024-25 | 26 | 7 | 4 | – | 13 | 2 | 31 | 5th in OUA West | Won OUA West Play-In vs. Windsor 5–3 Lost OUA Quarter-Final vs. Guelph (0–2 series) |

#### International contests

| Season | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2009-10 | October 3, 2009 | Chinese Olympic hockey team | 1-4 |
| 2009-10 | October 4, 2009 | Chinese Olympic hockey team | 2-6 |

## Lions in pro hockey

| = CWHL All-Star | = NWHL All-Star | = Clarkson Cup Champion | = Isobel Cup Champion |
| Player | Position | Team | League | Accomplishments |
| Kristen Barbara | Defense | Markham Thunder Toronto Six | CWHL NWHL | 2018 Clarkson Cup champion |
| Mandy Cole | Forward | Brampton Thunder | CWHL | |
| Allyson Fox | Forward | Brampton Thunder (2007-2012) | CWHL | Participated in the 2010 Clarkson Cup |
| Kerri Palmer | Defense | Brampton Thunder | CWHL | |
| Kelsey Webster | Defense | Strathmore Rockies (2009–10) Calgary Inferno (2011-2016) | WWHL CWHL | Won the 2016 Clarkson Cup with the Calgary Inferno |

### Lions selected in the CWHL Draft

| Player | Year | Position | Team | Selection |
| Courtney Unruh | 2010 CWHL Draft | Forward | Brampton Thunder | #29 |
| Allyson Fox | 2010 | Forward | Brampton Thunder | #38 |
| Michelle Daniels | 2010 | Defense | Brampton Thunder | #47 |
| Kelsey Webster | 2010 | Defense | Brampton Thunder | #53 |
| Mandy Cole | 2010 | Forward | Brampton Thunder | #59 |
| Kerri Palmer | 2010 | Defense | Brampton Thunder | #77 |
| Kristen Barbara | 2016 CWHL Draft | Defense | Brampton Thunder | #28 |

### Lions selected in the NWHL Draft

Taylor Davison made U Sports history, becoming the highest drafted player from a U Sports team to be taken in the NWHL Draft. As a side note, Davison's selection was announced by Angela James.
| Player | Year | Team | Selection |
| Erin Locke | 2020 NWHL Draft | Toronto Six | #15 |
| Taylor Davison | 2021 NWHL Draft | Toronto Six | #5 |

## Awards and honours
### Team MVP

This is an incomplete list
* 2009-10: Kelsey Webster
* 2010-11: Courtney Unruh
* 2011-12: Lisa Stathopulos
* 2012-13: Lisa Stathopulos
* 2013-14: Megan Lee
* 2014-15: Lisa Stathopulos
* 2015-16: Megan Lee
* 2016-17: Erin Locke
* 2017-18: Erin Locke
* 2018-19: Erin Locke
* 2019-20:

### School honours

* Autumn Mills, York University female athlete of the week for the period ending Jan. 30, 2011.
* 2011 York Lions Athletics Bryce M. Taylor Award: Autumn Mills
* 2012 York Lions Athletics Female Rookie of the Year, Kristen Barbara
* 2015 Charles Saundercook Memorial Trophy: Lisa Stathopulos
* 2016 Roar Cup
* 2021 Sport Council Award: Lauren Dubie (co-winner with rugby player Lauren Walter)

#### Lions Legacy Awards

* 2015 Lions Legacy Awards: Kiri Langford Co-winner
* 2016 Lions Legacy Awards: Megan Lee
* 2017 Lions Legacy Awards: Rianna Langford and Amy Locke (co-winner with soccer player Marilyn Grammenopoulos and track & field competitor Muad Issa)
* 2019 Lions Legacy Awards: Jenna Gray (co-winner with volleyball player Cadence Currie and track & field athlete Bailey Francis)
* 2021 Lions Legacy Awards: Kaleb Dahlgren and Lauren Dubie (co-winner with soccer player Teni Odetoyinbo)

### U Sports honours

* Kelsey Webster, 2010 All-CIS Second Team
* Kristen Barbara, CIS All-Rookie Team (2011–12)

### OUA honours

* Lisa Stathopulos, OUA Most Valuable Player (2014–15)
* Erin Locke, OUA Marion Hilliard Award (2019–20)

### OUA in-season

* Autumn Mills, Pioneer Petroleums Ontario University Athletics (OUA) female athlete of the week for the period ending Jan. 30, 2011.

### OUA All-Stars
#### First Team

* Marnie Barow, First Team (1990–91)
* Marnie Barow, Second Team (1991–92)
* Marnie Barow, First Team (1992–93)
* Michelle Clayton, First Team (1993–94)
* Michelle Clayton, First Team (1995–96)
* Taylor Davison, First Team (2019–20)
* Allyson Fox, First Team (1996–97)
* Debra Ferguson, First Team (1996–97)
* Sari Krooks, First Team (1996–97)
* Sari Krooks, First Team (1999–2000)
* Katie Quinn, First Team (1995–96)
* Melanie Roach, First Team (1998–99)
* Melanie Roach, First Team (1999–2000)
* Kelsey Webster, 2010 All-OUA First Team

#### Second Team

* Heather Balbraith, Second Team (1996–97)
* Michelle Campbell, Second Team (1989–90)
* Michelle Clayton, Second Team (1994–95)
* Allyson Fox, Second Team (1995–96)
* Allyson Fox, Second Team (1997–98)
* Collette Good, Second Team (1997–98)
* Karent Kett, Second Team (1998–99)
* Katie Quinn, Second Team (1993–94)
* Katie Quinn, Second Team (1994–95)
* Shanley White, Second Team (1997–98)

### Postseason awards

* Debra Ferguson, Player of the Game, OWIAA Final (February 25, 1997)
* Debra Ferguson, Player of the Game, OUA Semifinal (February 11, 2000)
* Collette Good, Player of the Game, OWIAA Semi-final (February 24, 1997)

## International

* In April 2011, Lions player Kiri Langford was a member of the New Zealand national team that won the gold medal at the 2011 IIHF World Women's Championship Division IV competition in Reykjavik, Iceland.
* During the month of August 2011, it was announced that Lions head coach Dan Church would also serve as the head coach during the 2011–12 Canada women's national ice hockey team.
| Player | Event | Result |
| Courtney Unruh | 2011 Winter Universiade | Gold |
| Kelsey Webster | 2009 Winter Universiade | Gold |
| Kelsey Webster | 2011 Winter Universiade | Gold |
* Dan Church Head Coach Canada: 2009 Winter Universiade