McLaren commits to Dutchwomen

by Ryan Fay

Caitlyn McLaren played at Messa Rink in September when the Provincial Women's Hockey League's Ottawa Junior Senators faced off against Union in an exhibition game.

The 17-year-old will be playing at Messa Rink much more often over the next four years.

McLaren in action

McLaren recently committed to the Dutchwomen for the 2014-2015 season. She chose Union over "three or four" other Division I programs.

"I felt Union was the right fit for me for a number of reasons," McLaren explained. "I had been talking to coach [Claudia] Barcomb and coach [Ali] Boe for a long time and they both made me feel very welcomed at Union. I love the small school population. I felt very comfortable with the hockey team in the dressing room and in the dorms when I went on my official visit in November. The school is held in high regards academically and that was a big help in deciding which school was right for me."

McLaren, a 5-foot-8 native of Metcalfe, Ontario, had a goal and 11 assists in 37 games this season. She recorded a goal and seven assists in 38 games last season.

"Caitlyn’s strengths will be taking care of her own zone," said Junior Senators head coach Greg McLaren. "She makes a good first pass in the transition game. She brings decent size and is a good skating defenseman. She has a good shot and has played on our power play and penalty kill all year."

Her impact extends off the ice.

"She has been a good veteran leader in our locker room," said Greg McLaren. "We had a lot of [younger] players this year and Caitlyn was great in the room helping mentor the young players."

Union is graduating two defensemen who logged significant minutes, co-captains Ashley Johnston and Maddy Norton. McLaren and fellow incoming defenseman Brandy Streeter could have minutes up for the taking right off the bat.

"Caitlyn will be training hard all summer and she hopes to fit in to the Division I level of play right away," said Greg McLaren. "However, she will do whatever her coaches ask her to do."

In addition to McLaren and Streeter, the Dutchwomen have also picked up commitments for next season from Achiever Academy forward Hannah Erickson, Honeybaked 19U forward Nicole Russell and Barrie Junior Sharks goaltender Alexx Ridding. There may be one or two other commitments still under wraps.

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