Reds Add Veteran Defender

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds women’s hockey team is adding veteran defender Jana Headrick for the 2020-21 Atlantic University Sport season.

After four seasons with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, and coming off an Ontario University Athletics championship in 2019-20, Headrick will play her fifth and final season of U SPORTS eligibility while pursuing a Masters degree at UNB.

“We’re thrilled to add Jana to our team for 2020-21,” said Reds head coach Sarah Hilworth. “She comes with a great amount of experience and will help elevate our team to the next level.”

Headrick, from the Garden River First Nation, in Ontario, played 83 regular season games as a Varsity Blue, scoring three goals and adding ten assists during her career.

Along with the 2019-20 OUA title, the Blues earned the conference silver medal in 2018-19.

“I’m going to bring experience and a drive to win,” said Headrick. “I’ve played in an OUA final twice and a U SPORTS championship twice. I’ve seen what the competition is like at the highest level, and I believe I can help the Reds compete and succeed at that level this season.”

As a member of the Garden River First Nation, Headrick has represented Ontario at three Canadian Aboriginal Hockey Championships, earning a silver medals on all three occasions.

“Jana has been well-coached, is a natural leader, and has the ability to keep the game simple and smart,” said Hilworth. “We expect her to be a shut-down defender that will control the back end.”

“I was looking for an institution where I would be able to continue both my academics and athletics, and felt UNB was a great fit for me with a strong, up-and-coming women’s hockey program,” said Headrick. “I am very excited to have the privilege to start my Masters of Arts in Sport and Recreation Studies at such a renowned institution.”

Headrick’s brother, Owen, has played the previous two seasons with the UPEI Panthers men’s hockey team.

PHOTOS: Seyran Mammadov/for U of T Athletics