The Gee-Gees women’s hockey program is pleased to announce the arrival of four new recruits for the 2012-13 season. With 16 rookies in the Gee-Gee line-up last season, it was evident that a promising future lies ahead for the program as the team continued to progress throughout the season. “I am very happy of the progression of the young players on the team. We are even more delighted to announce today the addition of recruits with great potential. These players have been heavily recruited by many Universities. We are privileged to have their commitments and I believe they will have an immediate impact on the team in September”.

The first player, Maude Laramée (Gatineau, Qué.), is a local recruit from the Gatineau area who is currently developing with the Nepean Wildcats of the PWHL (Provincial Women’s Hockey League). She is an offensive defenseman and possesses several qualities that will mesh well with the Gee-Gees style of play, in particular her speed and puck handling. “Maude possesses very good abilities that will allow her to excel at our level,” notes Evola. “Her sense of anticipation will, without a doubt, help her create many turnovers in our favour and thus many opportunities to score.” The 5-foot-8 player was the leading scorer for her team this season with 8 goals and 16 assists in 29 games. Maude is presently finishing her high school career at école catholique Franco-Cité in Ottawa, where she is a member of the Sport-Études program. “I am happy that I will be staying close to home and will be able to study in French. I am very happy to be joining the team,” said the future communications student.

Still on the defensive end, Geneviève Legault (Sainte-Julie, Qué.), a 5-foot-10 player currently playing for College Édouard-Montpetit, will bring much experience to the team despite her young age. She has already participated in several major events which have helped her gain tremendous experience and will help the team’s defensive brigade. “I have followed Genevieve’s development over the past six to seven years and I can guarantee she will become an outstanding defenseman in the CIS,” Evola explains. “She won four medals with the under 18 Québec team, having started her participation in the provincial program at the age of 14. It is, in my opinion, quite a feat and I believe she will become a very influential player in our program.” In addition, Legault participated in the under 18 training camp for Team Canada in 2010.  This season, she amassed six goals and seven assists in 20 games with College Édouard-Montpetit. “I already knew Yanick and I have heard many positive things about him and the program, so when he approached me I saw it as an advantage. I am also very pleased to have the chance to come and study in French in a bilingual environment,” mentioned Legault.

In the forward position, the Gee-Gees have reached an agreement with Carol-Ann Upshall (Trois-Rivières, Qué.), the top scorer in the Quebec AA collegiate league this season. Upshall amassed 19 goals and 17 assists in 21 games this season and in 2010-11, during her rookie season with College Laflèche, she collected a total of 12 goals and 9 assists. Carol-Ann is a 5-foot-7, right-handed centre who possesses very impressive offensive abilities. “She can score many different ways and she has a very good vision of the game. Carol-Ann is very creative with the puck and will contribute to our attack next year. She has a strong and precise shot, and will become an offensive threat for our team in the years to come,” states Evola. Back from a hockey trip in Europe with Laflèche College, Upshall mentioned that "after Yanick contacted me, I came and visited and I really loved the environment. I already know a few players on the team and I have played with Camille [Pauck-Therrien] and Geneviève [Legault] before." 

Finally, another player from Québec is set to join the program, Camille Pauck-Therrien (Boucherville, Qué.). Camille is a left-handed wing player who possesses great speed and a good vision of the game. She currently plays with Legault in the AA collegiate league and she, too, has won some medals (3) at the under 18 National Championships while dressing for Team Québec. “Camille is a player in full development and will have no difficulty adjusting to our level, especially because of her speed,” notes Evola. “She is an athlete we can count on and she has a remarkable work ethic for a young athlete. We are very happy to have her among us,” Evola concluded. The future biopharmaceutical sciences student also had nothing but good things to say about her new coach. “When he is our coach it is impossible not to succeed. I know that everything will go well with him, he is kind of like a father. He pushes us to our limits and he wants us to be the best. He was my coach when I was in the sports studies program and with him I always give my one hundred per cent.” Pauck-Therrien also participated in the under 18 training camp for Team Canada in 2010. In her rookie season this year, she amassed a total of 18 points in 20 games, including 8 goals and 10 assists.