Battlefords Sharks college commitments look ahead to future careers

“This is kind of the first year in my minor hockey that I really won something in league and not like spring hockey or anything. Once we won Calgary, I just really knew what it takes.”

The Sharks captain was part of a rebuild with the team and enters a Merrimack program that’s in a similar situation, so she brings that experience as well. “That’s kind of still a rebuilding program so I want to be a big face to that too and make more of a name for myself. It’s going to be a big step, just exciting to bring in all my knowledge and who I am as a person as well as a hockey player.”

Sharks head coach Nolan Horbach had high praise for his captain and knows there are big things ahead.

“As she moves on to Merrimack, I think just the size and the ability to create, it’s going to serve her well. She’s also come a long way playing away from the puck,” said Horbach. “I think that’s one of the things that is going to allow her to play in some important minutes there and grow into the person and player that she can become at that level.”

Anneka Aspaas – Rochester Institute of Technology. Rochester, NY – NCAA D1

Anneka Aspaas moved on to play NCAA D1 hockey at the Rochester Institute of Technology for the RIT Tigers.

“I’m really excited just to get to the next level and play with new players and get more exposure all over,” Aspaas said.

The Sharks leading scorer this year had 38 points (18G-20A) in 30 games and had a career total of 88 points (46G-42A) in 89 games through three seasons with the Sharks.

When asked about what she learned during her time with the Sharks that she can bring into the college game, Aspaas mentioned her hockey IQ as well as the importance of building a positive team culture.

“Just knowing all the little details and how much more there is to the game. There’s so much more than scoring (goals) and assists and getting points. There’s so much more to it like the details and the family that you get out of it.”

Horbach believes that the transition to RIT is going to suit Aspaas well.

“Anneka’s just one of those kids that every team needs and loves to have. All she did was work. Never a complaint, honestly never,” he said. “She’s so strong with the puck and she’s creative. When she doesn’t have it, she does so many things well to get it back. Obviously, it is a big adjustment, but all she’s done is work and put herself in a position to make that transition.”

Sami Riou – University of Jamestown. Jamestown, ND – ACHA D1

Sami Riou will be making the move to Jamestown, ND to play ACHA D1 hockey at the University of Jamestown with the Jamestown Jimmies.

Riou had 19 points (6G-13A) in 79 games throughout three seasons with the Sharks and like Aspaas, Horbach thinks her playstyle will serve her well in college hockey.

“She’s a big kid, strong kid and she just works. Seeing her have the confidence to drive plays and force plays, I think that’s her biggest asset,” said Horbach. “That’s going to allow her to be involved in some big situations and help earn trust within the coaching staff. She’s got all the attributes; she’s just got to keep working at it. So, we’re excited for her.”

Last season, Jamestown finished sixth in their division with a record of 9-18-1-1.

Mackenzie Seth – McKendree University. Lebanon, IL – ACHA D1

The Sharks goaltender will be making her way to Lebanon, IL to join the McKendree University Bearcats.

Seth was a part of the best goaltending tandem in the league this season, appearing in 16 games with a 14-2 record, a .941 save percentage (SV%) and 1.42 goals against average (GAA).

In her career with the Sharks, Seth has been in 40 games, bolstering a 29-10 record with a .923 SV% and 2.28 GAA.

“The one thing for her to draw on is the understanding of having gone through, supporting Cypress (Classen) in their first year. As you keep working at it, you become someone that the team can rely on and have trust in,” said Horbach.

“Her numbers this year were absolutely incredible. I know McKendree’s looking at her as being the starter going in. So, I think as long as Mack takes away what she was able to do here and continue to work and grow at it, she’s going to have a great career down there.”

Ayden Kehrig – Mount Royal University. Calgary, Alta. – USports

Kehrig is going the USports route, attending Mount Royal University to play for the Mount Royal Cougars.

Kehrig had 25 points (3G-22A) in 60 games across two seasons as as top defenceman for the Sharks. This year, she had 13 points (2G-11A) and was a co-winner of the leadership award as she looks to take the next step in her hockey career.

“I’m so excited just to be in that first-year position again, just take everything in and learn as much as I can. It’s a big opportunity and I’m really excited to continue my hockey career,” said Kehrig.

After praising her on-ice skills, Horbach spoke about her personality being well suited for the next level of hockey. “(She) was a caring kid that would do anything to help anybody out. That’s going to serve her well as she moves forward, and we’re excited to watch her go.”

Kehrig mentioned her resiliency as something that could help her as she moves forward.

“You have ups and downs. You face some injuries and you face just some mental tolls that come and the scheduling. I think persevering and going through that adversity really helps and prepares me for next year.”

Sarah McNabb – University of Alberta. Edmonton, Alta. – USports

Like Kehrig, McNabb will be going one province west to Alberta, joining the University of Alberta Pandas in Edmonton.

McNabb played in three seasons with the Sharks, scoring 68 points (25G-43A) in 90 games. Moving into university hockey, McNabb mentioned she hopes it’s a similar atmosphere to this Sharks team.

“That’s was the reason I succeeded the most,” she said.

McNabb said she learned a lot from Horbach surrounding defensive play which she can apply to her university career.

“He really highlighted that you need to be good at defence before you can score, so I hope I can take that,” she said.

On top of her speed and skill, Horbach said that McNabb’s competitive spirit will be positive for her when it comes to the next level. “I’m excited for her at the next level. To see her fly and do her thing. She’s one of those kids that hates to lose, so that’s a bonus. You know she’ll do whatever it takes to get that team across the finish line.”

Maggie Rauckman, Sophie Brecht – University of British Columbia. Vancouver, B.C. – USports

Rauckman and Brecht will continue their hockey careers together, heading to Vancouver with the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds in the next step of their career.

Like the Sharks in Rauckman and Brecht’s first year, the Thunderbirds will have a lot of new players, so it won’t be completely uncharted territory.

“It’s really similar to the Sharks, how they have 12 new girls, 12 freshmen, so it’ll be a similar rebuild,” said Rauckman. “Just knowing that I’ve been through this before, knowing what to expect. Then obviously B.C., it’s pretty nice there so it’ll be good.”

“That’s kind of what I was used to from the Sharks. That was kind of the same,” added Brecht. “I’m just excited to grow and continue to see what I can do as a hockey player.”

Rauckman and Brecht both came from Saskatoon to join the Sharks and are excited to continue their careers together.

“We’re like best friends. Just being together and moving. We moved here together, moving out there together, just keep doing everything together. We rely on each other and it’ll be good,” said Rauckman.

Brecht mentioned having someone familiar by her side can help ease the nerves for both of them.

“I won’t be as nervous going into it. Both (of us) having that friendship will make it a lot easier and smoother of a transition, knowing someone.”

Seeing their friendship evolve firsthand, Horbach knows both players are in good hands going to the next level with each other.

“I know they both work extremely hard, and that’s going to serve them well as they prepare for that next challenge. I think just having a little bit of some reassurance and comfort in who you’re going out there with to take on that next challenge is going to be so good for them. So, we’re very excited.”

As the Sharks move forward, they look to continue having players succeed with the franchise and advance to a higher level. One 2027 graduate is already committed, as Savannah Mucha has committed to the University of Maine for the 2027-28 season.

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com

by Ryan Lambert

Battlefords Sharks college commitments look ahead to future careers

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