| Team Name: | St. Francis Xavier X-Women |
| University: | St. Francis Xavier University |
| Conference: | Atlantic University Sport |
| Conference Short: | AUS |
| Location: | Antigonish, Nova Scotia |
| Coach: | Ben Berthiuame |
| Coach Year: | → since 2014–15 |
| Arena: | Charles V. Keating Centre |
| Capacity: | 1500[1] |
| Color1: | Blue |
| Color2: | White |
| Hex1: | 002A5C |
| Hex2: | FFFFFF |
| Usportstourneys: | 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2023, 2024 |
| Conference Tournament: | 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2020 |
The St. Francis Xavier X-Women ice hockey team plays for St. Francis Xavier University, located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The team competes in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conference of U Sports where they were an inaugural varsity member of U Sports women's ice hockey in the 1997–98 season. Representing St. Francis Xavier Athletics, the X-Women have won the most AUS championships with eleven conference championship wins, most recently in 2020.[2]
During the 2010–11 season, the X-Women remained undefeated through the AUS regular schedule (24-0) and playoffs (3-0). The team won their first conference title since 2007–08. On March 14, 2011, the X-Women played in the national championship game for the first time. However, the squad was bested by the McGill Martlets in a 5–2 defeat.[3] The silver medal finish is the program's highest in the U Sports women's ice hockey championship tournament.
Prior to the 2013–14 season, AUS teams played a round robin tournament with six teams split into two groups (two games played each). The winners of those games played for the AUS championship. Starting in 2013–14, the AUS had teams play three-game series with seeding with the AUS championship also being awarded after a three-game series. Canadian Interuniversity Sport changed its name to U Sports in 2016. With the addition of the UNB Reds for the 2018–19 season, all AUS teams went from playing 24 regular season games to playing 28 games.
The 2019–20 team won the AUS championship after finishing the regular season on a 12-game winning streak and finished 4–0 in the AUS playoffs. In the 2020 national championship, the X-Women were seeded third and defeated the Montreal Carabins in the quarterfinal.[4] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, the remainder of the tournament was cancelled, bringing a halt to a promising finish for the team.[4]
| Year | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS | Standing | Playoffs | |
| 2010–11 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 1st | Won AUS Championship vs. Moncton Lost CIS Championship vs. McGill Martlets (2nd place finish) | |
| 2011–12 | 24 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 1st | Finished with record in AUS round robin | |
| 2012–13 | 24 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 1st | Won AUS Championship vs. Saint Mary's Won CIS Bronze Medal Game vs. Toronto (3rd place finish) | |
| 2013–14 | 24 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 40 | 1st | ||
| 2014–15 | 24 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 1st | Won AUS Championship vs. Moncton Lost CIS Bronze Medal Game vs. Montreal (4th place finish) | |
| 2015–16 | 24 | 9 | 13 | 2 | 21 | 5th | ||
| 2016–17 | 24 | 16 | 8 | 0 | 32 | 3rd | ||
| 2017–18 | 24 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 42 | 1st | Lost AUS Championship vs. Saint Mary's Lost U Sports Consolation Final vs. Montreal (6th place finish) | |
| 2018–19 | 28 | 18 | 9 | 1 | 39 | 2nd | ||
| 2019–20 | 28 | 22 | 5 | 1 | 45 | 2nd | Won AUS Championship vs. Saint Mary's U Sports championship cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[5] | |
| 2020–21 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[6] | |||||||
| 2021–22 | 21 | 15 | 6 | 0 | 30 | 3rd | ||
| 2022–23 | 28 | 20 | 5 | 3 | 43 | 2nd | Lost AUS Championship vs. UNB Reds Lost U Sports Consolation Final vs. Toronto (6th place finish) | |
| 2023–24 | 28 | 21 | 5 | 2 | 44 | 1st | Lost AUS Championship vs. UNB Reds Lost U Sports Consolation Semi-Final vs. Saskatchewan (8th place finish) |
| Player | Seasons | GP | G | A | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexa Normore | 2010–11 to 2014–15 | 114 | 78 | 127 | 205 | |
| Brayden Ferguson | 2004–05 to 2008–09 | 100 | 105 | 91 | 196 | |
| Christina Davis | 2004–05 to 2008–09 | 104 | 86 | 93 | 179 | |
| Candice Ernst | 2002–03 to 2006–07 | 85 | 57 | 113 | 170 | |
| Rebecca Davies | 2003–04 to 2006–07 | 71 | 80 | 56 | 136 | |
| Daley Oddy | 2013–14 to 2017–18 | 113 | 63 | 70 | 133 | |
| Sarah Bujold | 2014–15 to 2018–19 | 121 | 62 | 51 | 113 | |
| Tracy Sullivan | 2002–03 to 2004–05 | 46 | 44 | 65 | 109 | |
| Jessica Shanahan | 2006–07 to 2009–10 | 87 | 48 | 53 | 101 | |
| 2004–05 to 2007–08 | 78 | 45 | 55 | 100 |
U Sports was known as the Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union (CIAU;) until 2001 and as Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS;) from 2001 until the adoption of the current name in 2016.
The Brodrick Trophy is awarded to the player of the year in U Sports women's ice hockey. From 2017 to 2020, St. FX produced three Brodrick Trophy winners. Sarah Bujold (2016–17) and Daley Oddy (2017–18) represented back-to-back wins, while Tyra Meropoulis earned the honour in 2020. The first player in program history to capture the Brodrick Trophy was Brayden Ferguson, reaching the pinnacle in 2007–08.[7]
2007–08: Brayden Ferguson
2016–17: Sarah Bujold
2017–18: Daley Oddy
2019–20: Tyra Meropoulis[8]
The U Sports Rookie of the Year Award in women's hockey recognizes a "first-year player who has exhibited exemplary skill and leadership."[9]
2010–11: Alex Normore[10] [11]
2021–22: Abby Lewis
All-Canadian honours are awarded by U Sports to the most outstanding regular season players in women's ice hockey.[12] [13] [14]
First Team
1998–99: Leanne MacDonald (D)
2000–01: Leanne MacDonald (D)
2007–08: Brayden Ferguson (F)
2010–11: Suzanne Fenerty (D)[15]
2011–12: Suzanne Fenerty (D), Alex Normore (F)[16]
2013–14: Alex Normore (F)
2016–17: Sarah Bujold (F)
2018–19: Lindsey Donovan (D)
2019–20: Lindsey Donovan (D), Tyra Meropoulis (F)
Second Team
2005–06: Rebecca Davies (F)
2006–07: Marilynn Hay (D)
2007–08: Marilynn Hay (D)
2010–11: Alex Normore (F)
2012–13: Alex Normore (F)[17]
2013–14: Jenna Pitts (D)
2014–15: Alex Normore (F)
U Sports All-Rookie Teams have recognized outstanding first-year players of the regular season since 2003–04.[18]
2003–04: Katie Barrett (D), Rebecca Davies (F)
2005–06: Laura Grant (D)
2009–10: Abygail Laking (F)[19]
2010–11: Alex Normore (F), Jenna Pitts (D)
2017–18: Emerson Elliott (F)
2018–19: Tyra Meropoulis (F)
2019–20: Jamie Johnson (G)
2021–22: Amaya Giraudier (G), Abby Lewis (F)
A CIS Championship Fair Play Award was awarded until the 2009–10 season.[20] From 2010 to 2013, the player who "best exhibit[ed] the standards of fair play" throughout the CIS Championship tournament was recognized with the R.W. Pugh Fair Play Award.[11] No fair play awards have been awarded since 2013.[21]
2006: Kelly Boudreau
2008: Suzanne Fenerty
2009: Suzanne Fenerty
2010: Katie Harvieux
U Sports Championship All-Stars are awarded to the best players at the national tournament in women's ice hockey.[22]
2000: Leanne MacDonald
2002: Amy Handrahan (G)
2006: Katie Harvieux (G)
2011: Carolyn Campbell (F), Suzanne Fenerty (D)
2013: Jenna Downey (D)
2015: Alex Normore (F)
The recipient of the Most Valuable Player award becomes the AUS nominee for the U Sports Brodrick Trophy.[24]
1998–99: Leanne MacDonald
2007–08: Brayden Ferguson
2011–12: Alex Normore
2012–13: Alex Normore
2013–14: Alex Normore
2014–15: Alex Normore
2016–17: Sarah Bujold
2017–18: Daley Oddy
2019–20: Tyra Meropoulis[14] [25]
The recipient of the AUS Rookie of the Year Award represents the conference as a finalist for the U Sports Rookie of the Year Award.[26]
2003–04: Rebecca Davies
2009–10: Abygail Laking
2010–11: Alex Normore
2017–18: Emerson Elliott
2021–22: Abby Lewis
2023–24: Ireland McCloskey
The recipient of the AUS Coach of the Year Award represents the conference as a finalist for the U Sports Coach of the Year Award.[27] [24]
1999-2000: Frank Isherwood
2000–01: Frank Isherwood
2003–04: David Synishin
2004–05: David Synishin
2007–08: David Synishin
2012–13: David Synishin
2014–15: Ben Berthiaume
2017–18: Ben Berthiaume
2022–23: Ben Berthiaume
AUS Most Sportsmanlike Player "recognizes an individual who maintains the standards of fair play and treats those around her with respect at all times."[24] [28]
2003–04: Jill Bowie
2004–05: Sheila Kelly
2009–10: Suzanne Fenerty
2014–15: Taylor Dale
2015–16: Taylor Dale
2023–24: Ireland McCloskey
Awarded since the 2016–17 season, the AUS Top Defensive Player has been recognizes a skater who consistently excels in defensive aspects of the game and displays stong play in all areas of the ice individually and as part of their team's defensive tactics.[24] [29]
2019–20: Lydia Schurman
The recipient of the AUS Student-Athlete Community Service Award represents the conference as a finalist for the U Sports Marion Hilliard Award.[24] [30]
2004–05: Colleen Wall
One AUS All-Star team per season was named through the 2000–01. The AUS All-Star second team was introduced in the 2001–02 season.
1998–99: Leanne MacDonald (D)
1999-2000: Cindy Clarke (F), Amy Handrahan (G), Leanne MacDonald (D)
2000–01: Michelle Fortier (F), Amy Handrahan (G), Leanne MacDonald (D)
First Team
2001–02: Michelle Fortier (F), Gayle MacDonald (D)
2002–03: Tracy Sullivan (F)
2003–04: Katie Barrett (D), Rebecca Davies (F), Amy Handrahan (G), Tracy Sullivan (F)
2004–05: Candace Ernst (F), Sheila Kelly (D)
2005–06: Rebecca Davies (F), Laura Grant (D)
2006–07: Marilynn Hay (D), Sheila Kelly (D)
2007–08: Brayden Ferguson (F), Marilynn Hay (D)
2008–09: Christina Davis (F), Brayden Ferguson (F), Laura Grant (D), Marilynn Hay (D)
2009–10: Suzanne Fenerty (D), Marilynn Hay (D)[31]
2010–11: Suzanne Fenerty (D), Alex Normore (F), Janelle Parent (F)
2011–12: Suzanne Fenerty (D), Alex Normore (F), Janelle Parent (F)
2012–13: Jenna Downey (D), Alex Normore (F)
2013–14: Alex Normore (F), Jenna Pitts (D)
2014–15: Jenna Downey (D), Alex Normore (F), Sojung Shin (G)
2016–17: Sarah Bujold (F)
2017–18: Sarah Bujold (F), Lindsey Donovan (D), Daley Oddy (F)
2018–19: Sarah Bujold (F), Lindsey Donovan (D)
2019–20: Lindsey Donovan (D), Tyra Meropoulis (F)
2021–22: Maggy Burbidge (F), Lauren Dabrowski (D)
2022–23: Maggy Burbidge (F), Lauren Dabrowski (D), Lea MacLeod (F)
Second Team
2001–02: Amy Handrahan (G)
2002–03: Cindy Connors (F), Leanne MacDonald (D)
2004–05: Brayden Ferguson (F), Tracy Sullivan (F)
2005–06: Candace Ernst (F), Brayden Ferguson (F)
2006–07: Kelly Boudreau (F), Christina Davis (F), Brayden Ferguson (F)
2007–08: Suzanne Fenerty (D), Jessica Shanahan (F)
2009–10: Carolyn Campbell (F), Jessica Shanahan (F)
2010–11: Marilynn Hay (D)
2011–12: Jenna Pitts (D)
2012–13: Taylor Dale (F), Kristy Garrow (G), Jenna Pitts (D)
2013–14: Daley Oddy (F)
2014–15: Daley Oddy (F)
2015–16: Daley Oddy (F)
2016–17: Daley Oddy (F)
2017–18: Carley Molnar (G)
2018–19: Tyra Meropoulis (F)
2021–22: Lea MacLeod (F), Tyra Meropoulis (F)
2022–23: Josie Chisholm (D)
2023–24: Maggy Burbidge (F)[32]
2006–07: Marilynn Hay (D), Jessica Shanahan (F)
2007–08: Suzanne Fenerty (D), Catie Gavin (F)
2008–09: Erin Brophy (F)
2009–10: Jenna Downey (D), Abygail Laking (F)
2010–11: Kristy Garrow (G), Alex Normore (F), Jenna Pitts (D)
2012–13: Schyler Campbell (F), Taylor Dale (F)
2013–14: Nicole Corcoran (F), Daley Oddy (F)
2014–15: Nicole Halladay (D)
2016–17: Lindsey Donovan (D)
2017–18: Emerson Elliott (F), Amy Graham (D)
2018–19: Tyra Meropoulis (F)
2019–20: Jamie Johnson (G)
2021–22: Amaya Giraudier (G), Abby Lewis (F), Ella VandeSompel (D)
2022–23: Kya Moss (D)[24]
2023–24: Mackenzie Lothian (D), Ireland McCloskey (F)[32]
2008: Brayden Ferguson
2011: Suzanne Fenerty[33]
2014: Alex Normore
2017: Sarah Bujold
2018: Daley Oddy
2020: Tyra Meropoulis
2023: Maggie Burbidge
The StFX Sports Hall of Fame honours student-athletes, builders, and teams who made outstanding contributions through sport at St. Francis Xavier University.[34]
| Inductee | Category | Year inducted | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [35] | Athlete | 2017 | |
| [36] | Athlete | 2019 |
| = CWHL All-Star | = NWHL All-Star | = Clarkson Cup Champion | = Isobel Cup Champion |
| Player | Position | Team(s) | League(s) | Years | Titles | |
| Lindsey Donovan | Forward | AIK | SDHL | |||
| Brayden Ferguson | Forward | Burlington Barracudas | CWHL | 2 | ||
| Rebecca Davies | Forward | Mississauga Chiefs Toronto Furies | CWHL | 4 | 2014 Clarkson CupAs Furies GM |