Past and future Huskies help lead Team Nova Scotia to historic silver medal at Canada Winter Games

The Nova Scotia women's hockey team made history at the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Charlottetown, PEI, and a pair of former and future Huskies played key roles in helping lead the team to a silver medal.

Nova Scotia was coached by Kori Cheverie (BA'12), who played at Saint Mary's from 2005-10, graduating as one of the most accomplished players in program history, including winning the 2010 AUS Championships, and being named Saint Mary's Female Athlete of the Year twice. 

Not only was Nova Scotia led by a former Husky on the bench, but they also had a future Husky leading them on the ice. The team was captained by centre Samantha Morrison (Dominion, NS), who has committed to join the Huskies for the 2023-24 AUS season.

Morrison led Team Nova Scotia in scoring with four goals and two assists in six games played, including a goal in Nova Scotia's 3-2 semifinal win over Ontario to clinch a medal.

"We are extremely proud as a program to have seen Samantha not only represent Nova Scotia on the national stage, but to also see her score several clutch goals and serving as team captain for her provincial team," said Huskies head coach Chris Larade.

"On top of that, to have one of the women's hockey program's top alumni in Kori Cheverie lead the team to an historic silver medal finish really puts a great touch on it for us as a school."

Nova Scotia was defeated 3-0 in Sunday's gold medal game by British Columbia. While Cheverie and Morrison may have been disappointed by that game's result, another 2023-24 Huskies commit, British Columbia winger Gillian Lapierre (Port Coquitlam, BC), won the gold medal.

Team Manitoba finished seventh at the Canada Games and featured forward Charlotte Buffie (Winnipeg, MB) who will also be joining the Huskies next season.

"Gillian and Charlotte had very strong tournaments in their own rights. We were very proud of to see Gillian win a gold medal with Team BC, and Charlotte played a great role up the middle of the ice for Team Manitoba," added Larade. "I am very excited to have both of these young ladies, along with Sam, bring their experiences and successes at the Canada Games to our program on the fall. We look forward to seeing all three in maroon and white soon."

Team Nova Scotia's highest finish at the Canada Winter Games was in 2003, when they finished fifth in Bathurst, NB. Cheverie was a player on that 2003 team, shortly before she started her university career with the Huskies.

"Hopefully we've sparked some momentum within our own province for young girls and young boys playing hockey," Cheverie told CBC.ca post-game.

Photo courtesy: Len Wagg / Communications Nova Scotia