Hatt and Demale headline first wave of SMU Women’s Hockey recruits for 2018-2019

The Huskies are off to a strong start on the ice, and it seems like a great start off the ice as well. Coach Larade is pleased to announce five new recruits who have committed to join the Huskies in September of 2018.

Miranda Hatt, a 5'6" forward from the Regina Rebels of the SFMHL comes to the Huskies with a strong two-way game and a strong will to win. She will be representing Team Saskatchewan for the second time in as many years at this week's U18 Nationals in Quebec City and will be enrolled into SMU's criminology program.

"Miranda is as talented a player as we will have had here at SMU. Her puck skills and offensive touch are only surpassed by her drive and compete, and I know she will be a go-to player from day one. We are very excited to have her come to SMU," says Larade. "She loves the game and wants to get better every day."

Shae Demale, a 5"8" forward from Red Deer, Alberta will join Hatt up front in what Larade thinks could be a solid one-two punch for the Huskies. Demale is a natural scorer and can also distribute pucks as well. She currently sits atop to AFHL in points-per-game, leading the Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs after having played last season with the Northern Alberta X-Treme Prep team. Demale will be enrolled into SMU's bachelor of science.

"Shae is a player that caught our attention when her team came out east to play a few prep schools last year. She thinks and sees the game very well and just keeps getting better and better every weekend it seems," comments Larade. "She will bring some good steady offense and I know she will adapt well to the university game."

Joining the two offensive stars are Caleigh Meraw (criminology), a 6-foot defenseman from the defensing National Esso Cup Champions St.Albert Slash of the AFHL, as well as Rothesay Netherwood School's forward Sydney England (psychology), and forward Maddy Clapham (psychology) of the PWHL's Brampton Canadettes. Coach Larade predicts that all three will be key contributors right away.

"Caleigh is a shut-down defender that can make a great first pass. She also moves very well, especially considering her size. Her game will be a great asset to our program for sure. Sydney and Maddy are both right-shot forwards that will bring a lot of speed and grit to our game. Both are very capable in producing offensively and know how to play away from the puck as well. More than anything, these five will bring a lot of skill and speed to our program. They are character people who's love for the game is infectious and I'm excited to see them reach their potential with our program."