Dalhousie University women’s hockey head coach Sean Fraser is pleased to announce the commitment of Ontario imports Tara Morning, Becca Chilvers, and Lauren Ellerton to the Tigers 2015-16 roster.
Aurora, O.N. native Tara Morning comes to the Tigers after three seasons in Ontario’s Provincial Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). She led the Aurora Junior Panthers in points with 24 this season, scoring five goals and grabbing 19 assists in 36 games. She also led the Panthers in the playoff run this year, collecting one goal and three assists in five games. Morning played with the Barrie Junior Sharks in her first two seasons in the PWHL, collecting 16 points in the 2013-14 season and led all first year players with 12 in 2012-13.
Morning also played for the Aurora High School girl’s hockey team in the 2013-14 season. A York Region Athletic Association (YRAA) hockey all-star, she was her team’s MVP.
“Playing university hockey has always been a dream of mine,” says Morning. “I’m so excited to have accomplished this goal. I am thrilled to go to the east coast to play hockey and attend a great school.”
An honour roll student since grade nine, Morning is currently enrolled in Dalhousie’s Arts program.
Morning is joined by Aurora Junior Panthers and Barrie Junior Sharks teammate, Becca Chilvers.
Chilvers led the Aurora Junior Panthers during their playoff run this season with two goals and two assists. The Bradford, O.N. native was second in scoring during the regular season with 12 goals in 37 games. She added seven assists to bring her regular season point total to 19, good for third on the team. Before joining the Panthers, Chilvers played a season with the Barrie Junior Sharks (2013-14), and the Vaughn Flames Midget AA team of the Lower Lakes Female Hockey League (LLFHL) in 2012-13.
“I’m very excited to come to Dalhousie and have the opportunity to play for such a great team,” says Chilvers. “It’s an honour to become a Tiger and I cannot wait to get started both on the ice and in the classroom.”
A nominee for Bradford’s most well-rounded senior student award, Chilvers has been an honour roll student since grade nine and has been accepted to Dalhousie’s highly-competitive Medical Sciences program.
Head coach Sean Fraser is looking forward to having the current line mates in the mix this season. “Tara is a highly-skilled, quick forward with great vision and puck moving skills. Her speed and offensive ability will help strengthen our offence this coming season. Becca has a real nose for the net. She has a quick release and a great ability to find open space in the offensive zone. Their years together will bring instant chemistry to the lineup.”
Another alumna of the PWHL, Lauren Ellerton spent the last two seasons with the Etobicoke Junior Dolphins. The Toronto, O.N. native collected eight points on defence this season, scoring two goals and added six assists in 32 games. She added another goal and an assist in their playoff run. Before joining the PWHL, she played a season with the LLFHL’s Etobicoke Dolphins Midget AA team.
“I am so excited to attend and play for Dalhousie this fall,” says Ellerton. “Once I visited the campus and met some of the current players, I knew it was the place for me.”
“Lauren is a strong skating defence that likes to jump up in the rush and join the offensive attack,” says Fraser. “She makes a good first pass and her decision-making with the puck is that of a veteran D. Lauren will help strengthen our back end and add depth to our roster.”
Ellerton has been on the honour roll since her grade seven year and is currently enrolled in Dalhousie’s Bachelor of Science program.
“All three are great two-way players and we are looking forward to having them join them us in September,” adds Fraser.