Keenan Named To Canada's FISU Team
(FREDERICTON, NB) Defender Mackenzie Keenan, of the UNB REDS women’s hockey team, has been named to the U SPORTS team that will represent Canada at the 2025 FISU Winter Games, in Torino, Italy.
“I’m so excited about the opportunity to compete at FISU,” said the third-year RED. “Listening to Jenna Maclean and Kendra Woodland talk about how much they gained from their experience two years ago has only added to my excitement. I’m looking forward to playing alongside some incredibly talented players and bringing back what I learn to the AUS.”
Keenan, from Midhurst, Ontario, is the only member of the UNB team named to the U SPORTS roster.
Through 16 Atlantic University Sport regular season games, she’s recorded three goals and nine assists and is tied for 2nd in league and team scoring and is the league’s top scoring defender to this point in the season.
“Mackenzie is not only one of the top defenders in the league, but she’s also an exceptional leader and teammate,” said REDS’ head coach Sarah Hilworth. “Her ability to read the game, and her commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset to our team, and it's exciting that she gets to bring that to the international stage.”
In 2023-24, Keenan was named a 1st Team AUS All-Star and 1st Team All-Canadian.
“Mackenzie’s character and work ethic are what we believe the coaches will be most impressed with,” said Hilworth, who was a member of the coaching staff with the Canadian women’s team that won gold at the 2023 FISU Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York. “She brings positivity, determination, and a team-first mentality to everything she does.”
The 2025 FISU Games run from January 13th through the 23rd, meaning Keenan will miss at least four regular season games.
The 21-woman roster features five student-athletes from the AUS, including Keenan, and will be led by Kelly Paton, head coach of the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks.
“"We’re incredibly fortunate to build a team from such a high caliber pool of talent within U SPORTS, which reflects the strength of women's hockey in Canada,” said Paton. “We've worked to build a vision that supports a fast, physical style of play and we look forward to seeing these athletes carry that into our team game in Italy.”
In being named to the U SPORTS roster, Keenan follows in the footsteps of former UNB teammates Kendra Woodland and Jenna MacLean, who were with Hilworth at the 2023 FISU Games, in Lake Placid.
“It shows the strength of our program and the dedication of our student-athletes to achieve at the highest levels,” said Coach Hilworth. “Contributing to Canada’s FISU efforts for a second time is something we’re all incredibly proud of.”
“Wearing a Team Canada jersey will be an amazing privilege,” said Keenan. “Representing Canada in any capacity is a tremendous honor, and it’s a proud moment that reminds me of my love for the game.”
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
FILE PHOTO: Fran Harris/for UNB Athletics