(SASKATOON, SK) On the eve of the 2024 U SPORTS women’s hockey championship tournament, two members of the UNB REDS were recognized nationally, Wednesday night, as 1st Team All-Canadians.
Fifth-year forward Lily George and second-year defender Mackenzie Keenan earned the honour.
“I think it's a huge accomplishment to have two players receive that recognition,” said REDS’ interim head coach Kyle MacDonald. “It’s a testament to the depth, the parity, and the quality of the AUS as a conference.”
George and Keenan were among just six players, from the country’s four conferences, named 1st Team All-Canadians.
“Having two out of the six spots on the first team filled by UNB players means a lot for our program,” expressed Keenan. “With the program having only started up six seasons ago and having this much success already, it’s exciting to see how much further this program can go.”
“I think to have two REDS of six players achieving this honour is huge to be recognized at this level,” George echoed. “We’re not always seen as a top dog in the country, but I think with having really strong players and being able to represent AUS in this way is something that I’m really proud of.”
The University of Saskatchewan held the banquet at the Remai Modern Art Museum on Wednesday. It was attended by the eight teams competing at the U SPORTS championship.
George, named Atlantic University Sport’s Most Valuable Player and 1st Team All Star, led the REDS with 18 goals, which led the AUS and was fourth in U SPORTS, and 36 points, tops in the conference and third in the country.
“It's a huge accomplishment for me,” said George. “Working the past six years towards goals like this, obviously, these awards can't happen without team efforts, so I give props to my team. This year, we've been setting big goals that we've really stuck to. I'm really proud of all our accomplishments this year.”
“It's great to see someone like Lily, who worked so hard over the course of her career, get rewarded for the phenomenal season that she’s had,” MacDonald explained. “Especially considering the impact that she's had on this program and on our team this year.”
Keenan helped the REDS with an impressive 20 assists and 24 points as a defender.
“It means a lot to be named 1st Team All-Canadian,” she said. “It would’ve never happened without the consistent work all of the girls on the team put in this year.”
“With this only being my second year playing, it means so much to be named to the first team,” she added. “I was so lucky coming into to an experienced team in my first year, and learned so much from the older girls which allowed me to have success this year. I’m excited to still have a few more years playing at UNB and to continue to watch our program excel.”
“When you look at Mackenzie, who had a terrific season, and the impact that she's had on our team already as a second-year player, for her to be honoured as a 1st Team All-Canadian defender is huge for Mack, and she's also so well deserving,” said MacDonald. “It's great to see those two get this recognition.”
The REDS are seeded third in the tournament and will face the No. 6 University of Toronto Varsity Blues on Friday. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:00pm Atlantic.
STORY AND PHOTO BY: Madison Tucker/UNB Athletics