OLDS — Three more recruits have joined the Olds College Broncos women’s hockey team.
All hail from small towns in the province.
Centre/right wing Sydney Jack’s home town is Stettler. She’ll be joining her older sister, Jesse, who will start her third season on the Broncos. Jesse served as an assistant captain this past season.
Defenceman Jorja Werenka is from Sangudo, about 120 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
Defenceman Ali Macaulay is from Bonnyville, about 240 kilometres (km) northeast of that city.
Jack played for the Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs this past season and led the team in points, scoring eight goals and obtaining eight assists for 16 points in 26 games. She spent 16 minutes in the penalty box.
Jack stands 5’ 5.”
She plans to study sports management (business).
“Adding Sydney to our roster gives us more depth up front in a number of ways,” head coach Chris Leeming says.
“Not only does she bring a consistent work ethic but she adds some creativity and an offensive punch to our lineup that is needed.”
Jack can’t wait for the season to start.
“I’m excited to be a Bronco more than ever because of the current situation in our world right now,” she says.
“I am very grateful, knowing I will be able to keep playing hockey in the fall at a college level, which is a huge opportunity.
“Another plus to being a Bronco is that I get to play alongside my older sister.”
Werenka is 5’ 3.”
During the 2019-20 season, she was a member of the St. Albert Elite Sharks where she served as team captain.
In 26 games, Werenka scored four goals and racked up six assists for 10 points.
She plans to study sports management.
“The addition of Jorja helps to solidify our back end as she is a competitive and physical defenceman who makes smart, simple plays,” Leeming says.
“Jorja also adds her leadership capacity to our program,” he added. “We are excited to add another exceptional individual to our roster who will continue to help develop the culture of our program.”
Werenka is excited to join the Broncos because she has been looking forward to playing at the college level “since I was little.”
“I believe Olds will be a great fit for me coming from a small agricultural community. I can’t wait for the season to start,” she says.
Macaulay, who stands 5’ 5,” played for the Lloydminster Elite Steelers last season and was named team captain.
She scored four goals and picked up three assists for seven points in 20 games. She sat in the penalty box for a total of six minutes.
In 2018, Macaulay was named rookie of the year and top defenceman.
“Ali is an exciting addition to our lineup as she is a mobile, puck-moving defenceman who sees the ice exceptionally well,” Leeming says, adding she has “excellent hockey IQ.”
Macaulay “brings maturity, poise and leadership to our program, which is something that we look for when recruiting players to our program,” he adds.
Macaulay says she’s looking forward to the challenge of adapting to new surroundings and “playing the game I love with new players and coaches.”
This story was written with information supplied by Jadon Frank of Olds College Athletics.
