Hockey Signs Souris Product, Samels

Alyssa Samels from Souris, Manitoba has committed to the Cougar women’s hockey 2022-23 roster.

A 5’5” centre, Samels has a scoring touch, leading her current team, the Souris Elks, with 6 goals and 1 assist so far this season. Coaching the Elks in the Rural Manitoba Female Hockey League are Cougar alumni Kaelei Rink, Sydney Murray and Blair Bodie.

“Hearing about my coaches’ experiences with hockey and the school really helped me decide to become part of the Cougars program,” said Samels. “They had great things to say about how they developed in many different aspects throughout their time on the team.”

“Aly is a hardworking and knowledgeable player,” said Elks coach, Kaelei Rink. “I think she will fit right in. As an alumni, I can’t wait to see her crush it on the ice with the Cougars.”

“I think my strongest skills would be my speed and ability to score goals,” said Samels. “I’m a naturally offensive player and I think that really helps me perform and score goals for my team.

“Aly is a gifted goal scorer. She works hard and is reliable in zone coverage,” said Cougars head coach Tony Bertone. “She can read and react in puck pursuit and will be strong on the power play and penalty kill.”

Samels has given time to various community events like the Strathclair Fair and Ride for Life fundraiser. She’s also spent time assisting other athletes in their sport, time-keeping, working in the canteen and on the ice coaching minor hockey teams. She has a passion for helping people. In line with that passion, she will be taking the college’s Social Service Worker program in the fall.

“I like helping people and I think this course will help me gain a lot of knowledge of different ways I can do that,” said Samels.