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56 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009 Appleby turning to Page Veteran coach taking over girls' hockey program By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR One of the biggest names in Canadian women's hockey will be behind the bench of the Appleby College Blue Dogs next season. Margot Page, assistant coach of the Canadian women's team that won gold at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, has signed a two-year contract to coach the women's varsity squad at the local independent prep school. Page, currently the head coach of the national women's under-22 team, ended an 11-year tenure as head coach of Niagara University's women's NCAA Division 1 club in the spring. Page feels Appleby will be a better fit for her developmental philosophy than the collegiate level was. "(Niagara had) a different philosophy, a very win-oriented philosophy," Page said. "I don't think it completely suited me. I was looking at other opportunities out there and thought (Appleby) might be right up my alley." The position at Appleby became available when former Blue Dogs head coach Bradi Cochrane's contract expired in the spring. Appleby administrators were thrilled when Page threw her hat into the ring. "This is what we were hoping for. We were looking for this level of coaching," said Marg Hagey, assistant head of school, cocurricular program at Appleby. "We were happily surprised." Page played for the Canadian national team in 1990, 1992 and 1994. She has also served as a women's hockey television ana- lyst for TSN and CBC. She and her husband purchased a 30acre farm near Fort Erie last year, where Page anticipates the couple will create a sanctuary for rescued animals. The program she's inheriting at Appleby needs little rescuing. The Blue Dogs are coming off a very successful season last year, winning both the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association and North American Prep Hockey Association championships. "Bradi did a phenomenal job with that team, and they were obviously very successful," said Page. "That will be a big challenge over the next few years, to maintain that." This year's club will be without its centerpiece from last year, captain Brianne Jenner, who graduated. Jenner is currently trying out for the Canadian team that will compete in the 2010 Olympics. The Blue Dogs also lost Natasha Fryer, who -- ironically -- will be playing at Niagara this season. Still, Page should having plenty of talent to work with. Goaltender Nicole Paniccia, currently on the national under18 team, is back this season, while fellow U18 team member and forward Jill Saulnier is new to Appleby. The Blue Dogs also announced they have signed Kim Devereaux as an assistant coach. Devereaux is the former captain of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, where she was a three-time Ontario PHOTO COURTESY OF HOCKEYCANADA.CA University Athletics first-team all-star. Rebecca MacDonald, a former player at NEW DIRECTION: Margot Page, an assistant coach with the Canadian women's hockey team Brock University, will return as assistant that won gold at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, will coach the Appleby College Blue Dogs girls' coach as well. team this season. in support of Family owned & operated for OAK-LAND40 years! Water Oak-land Depot FORD Ford Lincoln