Women’s Hockey Program Hires New Coach for the Upcoming Season

 Sault College's ACHA Division 2 Women's Hockey program will have a new bench boss for the 2020/2021 season. After one season as an assistant coach with the Cougars, Coach Brianne Veale has been promoted to the role of Head Coach.

Coach Veale has an extensive background in hockey both as a coach and as a player. Veale was a standout in arguably one of the top women's hockey programs in Canada at Brock University.  As a coach, Veale started her career as an international hockey camp instructor in Karlstad, Sweden. Currently, she is the head instructor of Northern Elite Female Hockey Academy based in Sault Ste. Marie.

"We are thrilled to turn the program over to Coach Veale and are confident that she will build on the foundation established by Coach Mousseau to take the program to the next level. We are also very appreciative of the time and effort Coach Mousseau put into this program." Said Manager of Athletics Paul Orazietti

Veale will have an abundance of hockey knowledge on the bench when the Cougars hit the ice with Danny Lambert, Vanessa Rota, Jessica Fabbro and Shannon Clement all joining the staff.

Long-time Assistant Coach Lambert will be overseeing all aspects of game planning with a focus on special teams. Vanessa Rota (former Nippissing University Soccer player, Midget AA Wildcats player, and Bantam A Assistant Coach) will concentrate her efforts on the forward group while Jessica Fabbro (former Adrian College D1 player and Midget AA Wildcats player) will be mentoring the defensive core.

Shannon Clement (U of New Hampshire player, Elmira College Assistant Coach and Sault College Criminal Justice Professor) will act as a consultant for the team, giving defensive play feedback and periodically aiding in recruitment.

Rounding out the staff is long time boys and girls minor hockey coach Rick Webb, who will be returning for his second season as the team's general manager. Webb is responsible for all hockey operations for the team.  He is also the College's Director of HR and Communications.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to grow the women's hockey program at Sault College. With this growth, we will showcase the College as a high-level program for incoming female athletes as well as a top competitor in the ACHA. Our coaching staff is eager to begin working with our new and returning players to build a winning program." stated Veale.

The Cougars plan is to start training camp in September, but are presently in a wait and see mode due to the current COVID-19 health crisis.