From RNS To UNB

(FREDERICTON, NB) Familiarity and the recognition of a program on the rise have led goaltender Cassie McCallum to the UNB REDS women’s hockey team’s recruiting class of 2021.

The 17-year-old, from Quispamsis, a veteran member of Team Atlantic and the girls’ prep team at Rothesay Netherwood School, has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2021-2022 Atlantic University Sport season.

“Coach Sarah Hilworth, assistant coach Cassidy Hilworth, and goalie coach Kyle MacDonald have all played key roles in my personal and hockey development over the years,” said McCallum. “The women’s hockey program at UNB is trending in the right direction, and I can’t wait to be part of that.”

McCallum’s resume is impressive.

The number one goaltender for the Riverhawks in 2019-20, McCallum has been leading Rothesay Netherwood in their limited action in 2020-21, and was recently voted, by her teammates, their most valuable player for the current season.

She was the starting goaltender for Team Atlantic at the 2019 U18 Canadian championship, and has been part of three gold medal winning Hockey New Brunswick entries at the Atlantic Challenge Cup (2017, 2018, 2019).

In 2016-17, she made significant contributions as the Saint John Sea Dogs won the provincial boys Bantam (now U15) AAA championship.

“We’re very excited to bring a highly talented New Brunswick student-athlete to UNB,” said REDS head coach Sarah Hilworth. “We’ve worked with Cassie over the past few years and know she’ll be a great role model for other New Brunswick-born student-athletes.”

Hilworth believes McCallum is one of the region’s top prospects.

“She’s a competitive and athletic goalie who will raise the intensity on our team,” she said. “Cassie comes from a great program at RNS, and her experience as a starter for Team Atlantic, at the 2019 national championship will be something that will help her find success with us.”

“I believe this is a great opportunity for me to push my game to the next level,” said McCallum. “UNB is a great school with a very strong Kinesiology program, which also makes this the right decision for me.”

REDS assistant coach Cassidy Hilworth has worked with McCallum at a number of levels in recent years.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to coach Cassie for a few more years,” she said. “She’s one of the most competitive people I’ve ever met and has a personality that will fit well in our room.”

McCallum will study Kinesiology while attending UNB.

PHOTOS: Submitted