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S Sports SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2011 31 PHOTOS COURTESY OF HOCKEY CANADA NATIONAL TEAMERS: Mellissa Channell (left) and Hayleigh Cudmore are both on the national women's under-22 hockey team that will compete in the upcoming Meco Cup tournament in Ge a y Germany. Former Blakelock students on national U22 squad By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Standing on the blueline arm-in-arm with teammates as `O Canada' plays can be an addictive feeling. "Once you win that get that first (gold medal), it makes you want it that much more," Hayleigh Cudmore said after winning the world under-18 women's hockey championship last year. A lot has changed in the year and a half since Cudmore had a gold medal draped around her neck following an overtime victory over the United States. At the time, she was a high school student at T.A. Blakelock making her debut with the national team. But when Cudmore pulls the Canadian sweater over her head in Germany in two weeks, she will be well into her second season of college hockey, having already experienced a run to the Frozen Four. One thing that hasn't changed is Cudmore's desire to help Canada win gold. While other countries will send their national squads to the Meco Cup, formerly known as the MLP Nations Cup, Canada sends its under-22 development team. But Canada is still the overwhelming favourite, having won the tournament eight of the last nine years. "It's definitely a big accomplishment," Cudmore said of making the team. "After the under-18 team, making the under-22 is the next step. It's really exciting and it shows that the hard work is paying off." Just five years ago, the under-22 team featured players such as Tessa Bonhomme, Meghan Agosta, Shannon Szabados, Catherine Ward and Cudmore's current teammate at Cornell University, Rebecca Johnston. All are now staples on the Canadian team that won gold at last year's Olympics in Vancouver. Playing in the Olympics remains Cudmore's ultimate goal, but in the meantime she's playing an increasingly big- ger role for one of college hockey's best teams. In her sophomore season, it has taken Cudmore just a dozen games to eclipse her point totals from her rookie campaign. With two goals and eight assists, Cudmore is second among Cornell blueliners in scoring. "I've been fortunate enough to get on the powerplay a little more and be on the ice at the right time and the team is off to a good start. It looks like a big jump, but it's more steady progress." Cudmore might attribute it to being in the right place at the right time but not many players, especially those on national title contenders, play every game in their freshman season. After reaching the national semifinals last year, Cudmore and Cornell are preparing for another run at an NCAA championship. Cornell is 10-2 and ranked third in the U.S. With five Cornell teammates on the under-22 team, the See Channell, page 33 Your 2010 Central-Canadian Champions! VS Friday @ 7:30 Home H ome Game G ame This T his Weekend W eekend Support Your Hometown Team! SIXTEEN MILE SPORTS COMPLEX, 3070 NEYAGAWA BLVD.