2009-10 NEWS RELEASES

UOIT Ridgebacks News Release
Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Ridgebacks excited about new additions to the women’s hockey program

Oshawa, Ont. – University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Ridgebacks women’s hockey head coach Karen Nystrom is pleased to announce the addition of two new players as forwards Jillian Morillo (Whitby, Ont.) and Meghan Steacy (Gananoque, Ont.) will be joining the Ridgebacks for the 2009-10 season.

Jillian Morillo has spent the past three seasons playing for her hometown Whitby Junior Wolves in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Last season, she contributed eight goals and 10 assists as the team’s assistant captain. During her career with the Wolves (three seasons), Morillo racked up 15 goals and 23 assists for 38 points. Prior to joining Whitby, she played with the Durham West Lightning and was part of the team that earned a gold medal at the provincial championship.

“Jillian is going to be a great addition to the program,” said Nystrom. “She has the skills to be able to fill a number of roles for our hockey club. We are excited for her to join the team next year and become a solid contributor to the lineup.”

Also joining the 2009-10 Ridgebacks team is Gananoque native Meghan Steacy. The left winger comes to UOIT from the Greater Kingston Girls Hockey Association (GKGHA) where for the 2008-09 season she was the captain of the Midget AA Kingston Ice Wolves. She led her team to an undefeated 17-0-5 record in regular season play while picking up eight goals and four assists in the process. Steacy was also an assistant captain on the Kingston Bantam AA team that captured a bronze medal at the 2005-06 provincial championship.

“We are anticipating Steacy to become an impact player in the OUA over her University career,” said Nystrom. “She’s been a leader and very successful at every level she has played at. Fore checking is a major component of her game, a strength that our team has been lacking over the past two seasons. It will be great to have her as part of the UOIT Women’s hockey program for the next several seasons.”

Steacy and Morillo join a freshman class already consisting of Jaclyn Gibson (Cobourg, Ont.), Jennifer Guenette (Brighton, Ont.) and Sarah Worthington (Whitby, Ont.). With the new additions to the team along with the large class of returning players, the UOIT Ridgebacks appear to be on the cusp of their most successful season yet.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)
scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca