Emms-Finnsson Brings Grit to Cougar Women’s Hockey

Keely Emms-Finnsson has committed to the Cougars women’s hockey 2022-23 roster.

Emms-Finnsson is a self-proclaimed “farm girl” from Arborg, MB—population around 1,200. At an early age she took an interest in hockey and speed skating. Growing up in a small town, she says, hockey was the obvious choice. Most recently she played for the Winnipeg Silvertips in the Manitoba Women’s Junior Hockey League. Prior to that she played for the Stonewall Blues. The 5’8” power forward amassed 6 points in 11 games played this season.

“Keely is a power forward who’s got a nose for the net,” said head coach Tony Bertone. “She’s a reliable 200 foot player that likes to mix it up in the hard areas, on the walls and in front of the net.”

Emms-Finnsson isn’t just a force on the ice. She has been involved in her community, volunteering at various events, from local Terry Fox Runs to local Christmas Cheer.

On top of that, she has a long list of academic accomplishments. She achieved honour roll status with distinction during her time at Arborg Collegiate Institute (2017-2020) as well as the Evergreen School Divisions Award for Excellence (2018-2020). She was awarded the CUPE Local 3164 award, Rotary Club of Gimli Scholarship, Noventis Credit Union Scholarship, Friederici Farms Agriculture Scholarship, Red River Exhibition Foundation 50^th Anniversary Farm Family Scholarship and the University of Manitoba Hogg Centennial Entrance Award. The latter influenced her to enroll in agriculture classes at the U of M this last year.

Emms-Finnsson is a multisport athlete, and on most teams she has played a leadership role as captain or co-captain. She competed for Arborg Athletics in cross country, basketball, volleyball, badminton and track and field. She also competed in track and field for Team Interlake in the 2016 Manitoba Summer Games. Emms-Finnsson has coached softball, power skating, track and field and hockey, more recently as a junior coach for the U15 Female Interlake Lightening team.

“I’m eager to learn, so I am not afraid to ask questions to improve my skills and the team,” said Emms-Finnsson. “I am a consistent and forceful player. I’m a team player and bring a lot of intensity to not only my game but my teammates as well.”

Emms-Finnsson attributes some of her tenacity in hockey to long, hard days on the farm. “It requires a strong work ethic as well as grit and determination to not let yourself give up,” she said. Fittingly, Emms-Finnsson will be taking the colleges’ Agribusiness program in the fall.

“Agriculture is a huge part of who I am as I grew up on a farm,” said Emms-Finnsson. “It is where the majority of my interests lay and this program will be a great start to a career in Agriculture.”