Meet the Pandas! Part 3

The University of Alberta Pandas are the highest level of women's hockey found in Edmonton, but they're also a team which is quite mysterious. Outside of the University, there's little information about the team. Copper and Blue is thrilled to have a chance to let more people know about this hidden gem; even though the Pandas season is now over there is an opportunity to get to know some fantastic hockey players! Besides, it's time to start getting ready for next year!

Name: Morgan Kelly
Position: Defense
Height: 5'6"
Eligibility: 3rd Year
Jersey Number: 3
If you have a nickname, what is it? Morgs, MK/MK heat, Morg dawg
What has been your favourite class at University? Introduction to Coaching
Who is your favourite athlete? Brendan Gallagher
What is something that people probably don't know about you? When I was three years old my gymnastics instructor told my parents this sport wasn't for me and that they should put me in a sport like hockey.
What would you consider a hidden talent of yours? Cooking!
What's one element of your life of which you're proud? Being able to balance school, hockey and a social life.

Name: Jessie Olfert
Position: Defense
Height: 5'2"
Eligibility: 2nd Year
Jersey Number: 14
If you have a nickname, what is it? JOlfert
What has been your favourite class at University? PEDS 295, Conceptual Approach to the Movement of Sport
Who is your favourite athlete? Gina Kingsbury, honorable
What is something that people probably don't know about you? I love Country Two Stepping and partner dancing
What would you consider a hidden talent of yours? I really like to cook, one day I would like to open a restaurant
What's one element of your career of which you're proud? I am really proud of being a Panda, and having the opportunity to play hockey while getting a university education.

Name: Deanna Morin
Position: Forward
Height: 5'7"
Eligibility: 3rd Year
Jersey Number: 7
If you have a nickname, what is it? Dee
What has been my favorite class in University? PAC Hockey
Who is my favorite athlete? Crosby
What is something that people probably don't know about you? I went to wakeboarding provincials.
What would you consider a hidden talent of yours?
What's one element of your career which you're proud? To be a Panda, while also having the opportunity to get an education.

Name: Megan Eady
Position: Defense
Height: 5'6"
Eligibility: 4th Year
Jersey Number: 44
If you have a nickname, what is it? I seem to have more than one - Eady, Eads, Eado, and Meady, but Eads is definitely my favourite.
What has been your favourite class at University? My favourite class at Robert Morris University was Drugs and Addiction Psychology, and my favourite class (so far) at the U of A has been Indian Residential Schools.
Who is your favourite athlete? Growing up, my all-time favourite hockey player was Bobby Orr, but now that he's a bit outdated, I would say my favourite athlete(s) are a coaching power couple from my last university. Logan Bittle and Brianne McLaughlin; they are both RMU Alumni. Logan played for the men's hockey team and Bri played for the women's hockey team. They were both members of the hockey programs from the ground up, and both graduated and later became assistant coaches for the women's program; coaching me for my entire 3 year career. Bri is a goalie for the the US Women's National Hockey team. She is an absolutely resilient worker, one of the hardest workers I've ever seen, and an amazing role model. Logan is one of the most passionate, supportive, and trustworthy individuals I've ever met. Both Logan and Bri were my two greatest motivators while playing at Robert Morris, and they helped me to learn what it was to truly work hard and wear a logo with pride.
What is something that people probably don't know about you? I absolutely love horror movies. I can sit in my apartment alone and watch one after another after another and then go to bed and sleep like a baby.
What would you consider a hidden talent of yours? I can eat an entire pizza all by myself.
What's one element of your career of which you're proud? I'm proud of my hockey career in itself. I'm proud of myself for making it to the NCAA and graduating from my program a year early, which allowed me to come back and play two years of CIS. My hockey career has hands down been the greatest accomplishment of my life, and I know these will be the best memories of my youth. I only wish eligibility was unlimited!

Name: Ashley Morin
Position: Forward
Height: 5'7"
Eligibility: 3rd Year
Jersey Number: 6
If you have a nickname, what is it? Ash or A
What has been your favourite class at University? PAC Hockey
Who is your favourite athlete? Sidney Crosby
What is something that people probably don't know about you? I played lacrosse for 11 years.
What would you consider a hidden talent of yours? Love making cookies
What's one element of your career of which you're proud? Winning Canada West last year!

Name: Nicole Reimer
Position: Defense
Height: 5'4"
Eligibility: 2nd Year
Jersey Number: 4
If you have a nickname, what is it? Nikki or Reims
What has been your favourite class at University? Any class I've had with a teammate
Who is your favourite athlete? Doug Reimer
What is something that people probably don't know about you? I lost the tip of a finger in a boating accident
What would you consider a hidden talent of yours? Water skiing
What's one element of your career of which you're proud? My strength while living away from home and my commitment

Name: Abby Benning
Position: Defense
Height: 5'0"
Eligibility: 1st Year
Jersey Number: 27
If you have a nickname, what is it? Benny
What has been your favourite class at University? Psychology
Who is your favourite athlete? Johnny Gaudreau
What is something that people probably don't know about you? I used to figure skate
What would you consider a hidden talent of yours? Juggling
What's one element of your career of which you're proud? Becoming a Panda :)

As always, all the work in these articles is done by the Pandas and all the credit belongs to them. I've just been lucky enough to work with them. And I have to extend my most sincere thanks for being given that opportunity.