Union Announces Incoming Class
SCHENECTADY, NY -- The Union College women’s ice hockey team will add six student-athletes in 2011-12, head coach Claudia Asano announced on Friday. The class includes Camille Corbin, Alex Tancrell-Fontaine, Shenae Lundberg, Kelly McGrath, Bryanne Panchuk, and Christine Valente. The group is made up of three forwards, two defensemen, and one goaltender.
“I’m very excited about the six players that we have coming into our program next season,” said Union head coach Claudia Asano. “All of them have the potential to be impact players if they continue to develop and work hard. I can’t wait to get them on the ice with the rest of the team in the fall.”
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Camille Corbin
Height: 5’4”
Position: Forward
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Previous Team: Gilmour Academy (Ohio)
Corbin, who was named team captain her senior year at Gilmour, was the team’s top scorer with 107 points (53 goals, 54 assists) in 54 games played. She helped lead her team to the championship of the Phillips Exeter Tournament in January, and was named to the All-Tournament Team of the Watkins Hockey Tournament at Cushing Academy in December.
“Camille will provide some scoring punch up front,” Asano said. “She has the skills to control the puck and finish in front of the net.”
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Alex Tancrell-Fontaine
Height: 5’4”
Position: Defense
Hometown: East Greenwich, RI
Previous Team: East Greenwich HS
Tancrell-Fontaine was a four-year starter on the East Greenwich varsity boys hockey team, and the only girl on her junior team, the Cranston Reds. For East Greenwich, she finished the 2010-11 season with a goal and 10 assists. Tancrell-Fontaine was a four-time USA Hockey Player Development Camp attendee, and was named to the camp’s all star team in 2008.
“Alex will be a great addition to our defensive unit,” Asano said. “She is strong defensively but also has the vision to contribute on the offensive side.”
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Shenae Lundberg
Height: 5’7”
Position: Goaltender
Hometown: Peterborough, NH
Previous Team: Deerfield Academy
Lundberg, one of the top prep school goaltenders in New England, was a member of the U.S. Women’s Under-18 Select Team for the 2010 Under-18 Series against Canada. She participated in the 2010 USA Hockey Women’s National Festival and is a four-time USA Hockey Player Development Camp attendee (2007-10). She was a four-year starter in net at Deerfield, where she was an assistant captain and team most valuable player her senior year.
“We are extremely excited to add a goaltender of Shenae’s caliber,” Asano said. “Shenae has proven to be one of the top goaltenders in her age group. The skills and work ethic that she brings to the rink will be a great asset to our program.”
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Kelly McGrath
Height: 5’4”
Position: Defense
Hometown: Chelmsford, MA
Previous Team: Lawrence Academy
McGrath earned All-Independent School League honors and the Lawrence Academy Coaches Award after her varsity girls team finished the 2010-11 season with a 20-2-2 record. A four-year letterwinner at Lawrence, the Spartans made the New England Prep School Tournament in each of her four prep seasons.
“Both Kelly and Alex are very knowledgeable hockey players with a strong skill set,” Asano said. “Kelly has leadership skills that will help out the younger players.”
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Bryanne Panchuk
Height: 5’1”
Position: Forward
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Previous Team: Edge School for Athletes (JWHL)
Panchuk, a top forward at Edge, finished second on the team with 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists), and led her team in assists. In 2010-11, Panchuk helped guide The Edge School to a first place finish in the Major Junior West Division of the JWHL. She was selected to represent Alberta in the 2011 Canada Winter Games, where she led her team to a gold medal with 18 points (nine goals, nine assists) in seven games, including five power play goals. Panchuk was invited to the 2011 Hockey Canada Strength and Conditioning Camp.
“Bryanne is a very skilled forward that will step in and provide a spark to our offense,” Asano said. “She sees the ice remarkably well and has great playmaking ability. She has made tremendous strides in the last year and continues to develop and be on the radar with Hockey Canada.”
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Christine Valente
Height: 5’3”
Position: Forward
Hometown: West Haven, CT
Previous Team: Choate Rosemary Hall
Valente, one of the top scorers at Choate Rosemary Hall, captained her team to a 21-4 record and a berth in the NEPSAC playoffs. A four-year letterwinner at Choate, Valente also was a member of the Connecticut Polar Bears, which won the 2011 USA Hockey New England Tier I 19-U Championship, and earned a Bronze medal in the 2011 USA Hockey National Tournament.
“Camille will provide some scoring punch up front,” Asano said. “She has the skills to control the puck and finish in front of the net.”
