Tommies Among Top Players in Atlantic University Sport Women's Hockey

For the first time in St. Thomas University women's hockey history, a Tommie has been crowned the Atlantic University Sport conference's Most Valuable Player. 

Kelty Apperson, a fourth-year forward from New Hamburg, ON, was given the league's top honour along with a first team all-star award. 

Tommies head coach Peter Murphy said Apperson deserves all the praise she receives.

"It's said that the ceiling of the team is determined by its best players and Kelty has certainly raised the bar this year. She has a tremendous work ethic and this has driven her success this season."

The Tommies' captain was the driving force behind the team this year, leading them to a 16-7-1 regular season record. Apperson was vital to the team's penalty kill and power play, but also led the Tommies in scoring. Her 26 points, coming off 12 goals and 14 assists, was second-best in the AUS conference and only two points behind the league-leader. 

She recently recorded back-to-back hat tricks—another first in STU women's hockey history. 

"Kelty plays in all situations and is the undeniable leader of our squad," Murphy said. "She's one of the top players to have come through our program."

Joining Apperson on the AUS all-star team is first-year defender Jessie McCann, who was named a second team all-star to go along with an all-rookie team selection. 

Murphy said McCann has been an impact player for the Tommies this season.

"Her strength, fitness and offensive creativity help her to impact every game in which she plays. She's a big part of the success the team has had this season."

McCann, a native of Grand Bay, NB, had a stellar debut season with the Tommies. A strong presence on the team's blue line, McCann is a major part of the penalty kill and power play, which was the second-best in the AUS. She also poses a threat offensively—her 12 points make her the second-highest scoring defender in the conference. 

"Jess has elevated the level of play of our blue line corps in just her first year," Murphy said. "She brought with her a huge offensive upside but has developed into a strong defensive presence as well."

The Tommies have advanced to the second round of the AUS women's hockey playoffs, sweeping the Dalhousie Tigers in the best-of-three quarterfinal series. They will face the Universite de Moncton Aigles Bleues in game one of the semifinals Thursday night in Moncton.