Going for gold

Dal Tiger Jocelyn Leblanc is bound for Turkey and the World University Games. (Nick Pearce Photo)

When Canada’s female hockey team hits the ice at the 2011 International University Sports Federation (FISU) Winter Universiade in Erzurum, Turkey, they’ll be looking to defend the gold they took home in 2009 in Harbin, China.

Dalhousie’s Jocelyn LeBlanc, assistant captain and leading scorer for the Tigers, is the first hockey player from Dalhousie to be named to the Canadian World University Games team.

“There are a lot of talented female players in Canada, so it’s a huge honour to be selected.” says Ms. Leblanc, a kinesiology major. “It has been my dream to play for Canada since I began playing hockey.”

The Moncton, N.B. native began skating at the age of six and started hockey at seven. Since then, she’s wanted to be a hockey player and thrives on being part of a team.

Ms. Leblanc, who Tigers coach Leslie Jordan calls a natural goal scorer, leads the 5-4-3 Tigers in points but says the most important thing she brings to Team Canada is her work ethic. “I’m willing to fill any role they need me to fill,” she says.

'Very happy for her'

Last season, Ms. Leblanc was an AUS first team all-star and finished second in overall league scoring. She also was invited to try out for the under-22 Canadian National Team this past summer.

“We are very excited and proud of Jocelyn for her selection to Team Canada,” says Coach Jordan, also the head coach of the women’s hockey team at the Canada Winter Games in Halifax next month. “Jocelyn is a very dedicated, hard working and passionate hockey player and person. Being named to Team Canada for the 2011 FISU Games is a big moment in her hockey career, a truly amazing achievement. That experience will undoubtedly make her a better hockey player and person, and that experience will also carry over to her teammates, who are very excited and happy for her.”

Ms. LeBlanc, 21, was named to the team by the CIS in December and is one of four AUS women chosen on the 21-player roster. She expects Canada’s greatest challenge will likely come from the United States, but knows every team will be aiming for them. “Canada won gold last time, so everyone will want to beat us. We just need to keep it to the basics and play well,” she says.

Hockey at a high level

Ms Leblanc hopes to pursue a career in physiotherapy after finishing her degree, but says she is thinking about playing professional hockey. “I have some ideas of playing in Europe or in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL),” she says. “It’s always been a goal of mine to play hockey at a high level.”

Women’s hockey made its debut at the 2009 Universiade, when Canada won gold. The 25th Winter Universiade takes place from Jan. 27 to Feb. 6. The hockey final is set for Feb. 5, and Canada’s first game comes against Finland on Jan. 27 at 4pm. Canada's participation in the Universiade is managed by the CIS International Programs.

For more on the Canadian contingent heading to the World University Games, see: Team Canada Universiade | Eruzurum 2010