(FREDERICTON, NB) The returning Reds women’s hockey team was officially introduced on Friday, in a jersey presentation ceremony in Long Hall, at the Richard J. Currie Center.

Before a room full of UNB women’s hockey alumni, donors, sponsors, faculty, staff and proud parents and family members, each member of the team was presented with her white 'home' Reds jersey.

The team will wear the jerseys when they host the Mount Allison Mounties in UNB’s home and Atlantic University Sport season opener, on Saturday, at 7:00pm.

Head coach Sarah Hilworth invited alumni and supporters to present each jersey.

At the end of the 60-minute ceremony, former Red Sylvia Bryson was presented with a black Reds game jersey.

Bryson filed a human rights complaint after the former UNB women’s hockey team was downgraded, following the 2007-08 season, from varsity to club status.

Happy to see women’s hockey back at UNB, Bryson told the new team “the past is not your burden to bear.”

UNB’s Vice President Academic, Dr. George MacLean, speaking to the more than 100 people attending the ceremony, said the University “owed Bryson a debt of gratitude.”

The ceremony was also used to name the team’s captains for the coming season.

Sydney DesRochers (Woodstock, NB) will serve as Captain, while veteran forwards Hayley Hallihan (Miramichi, NB) and Jennifer Bell (Miramichi, NB) will be her assistants.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics