(FREDERICTON, NB) Ashley Stratton (Mount Pearl, NL) and Tamina Kehler (Chilliwack, BC) have skated in more UNB REDS women’s hockey games than any other player in the program’s history.
“It’s incredible,” said Kehler. “I always go back to the fact we got here when the program started, so to be able to be here from the very beginning all the way to now is huge.”
“It’s pretty special,” echoes Stratton. “Only so many players get to do that and to share it with all the girls in there, and this one here (patting Kehler on the shoulder), it’s pretty special and means a lot.”
On Friday, the pair skated in their 100th regular season Atlantic University Sport game.
Stratton and Kehler are the only players to play in every regular season game in the new era of women’s hockey at UNB, which began in 2018.
“It’s awesome to see that dedication to our program,” said REDS’ head coach Sarah Hilworth. “I think they’ve come in and set the bar for what it’s like to be a UNB student-athlete.”
In those 100 regular season games, Stratton has become the all-time leading scorer in program history, registering 36 goals and 42 assists for 78 points, so far, since the 2018-19 season. Kehler is right behind her.
“Not only have they played 100 games they’ve made a difference in every single one and they’ve made a difference in the community,” said Hilworth. “They’ve been fantastic student-athletes. A lot of times we look at them and their stats and what they’ve accomplished, but I think what they’ve accomplished off the ice is just as incredible.”
Along with soaring to the top of the program’s career scoring list, the dynamic duo has also achieved U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian status multiple times.
“To see them, as best friends, being able to accomplish this together is special,” said Hilworth. “I’m really proud of them and I couldn’t say more good things about them. They’re special.”
Along with their 100 regular season games, Stratton and Kehler have also played in all 15 of the REDS AUS playoff games since 2018 and all three games at the 2022 U SPORTS women’s hockey championship tournament.
In 2022, they were part of the team that brought UNB its first Atlantic conference title.
“We were, obviously, fortunate enough to be able to play every game and not have injuries, so I’m feeling pretty blessed right now,” said Kehler.
“All the girls we started with five years ago, we’ve grown so much and just to see where we are now is unbelievable,” said Stratton. “I owe it all to them. Everything we’ve done so far, we do it for those girls, and the ones that have been through this program and have gone now.”
Kehler and Stratton are both using their fourth season of U SPORTS eligibility in 2022-23. That means they could return in 2023-24.
Before that decision comes, they’ll both add to their games played total as the 2022-23 regular season winds down.
Both hope they can help the team on a long playoff run.
“What’s in the near future? Hopefully a couple of big wins and lots of celebration,” said Stratton. “We’ll keep on working.”
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS: File