Player Highlight: Kylie Perry, Women's Hockey

The Rustlers women's hockey team is getting closer to kicking off this season's title defence in the Border City and one of the inaugural members of the program can't wait for what follows.

Forward Kylie Perry brings three quality seasons of play for Lakeland College into this new ACAC campaign, including an important two-way responsibility last season. She said it's simultaneously fresh and familiar so far, being an older player, but sharing the same philosophy with teammates she did back in the fall of 2022 when Rustlers hockey made it's ACAC debut.

"I was coming for one year, thinking I'll just get my diploma and see how it goes," Perry he said with a laugh. "Instead, it became come for one, stay for five."

There are several reasons the right-handed spark plug could point to for staying at Lakeland. However, Perry said the way she's been treated within the team and beyond matters most.

All through my years here, I've felt so supported by my coaches, teammates and community," she said. "I feel I've grown as a player and a person, so that's all made me want to come back."

Perry's energy as a penalty kill specialist and dogged effort on the forecheck and backcheck have made her easy to root for on the ice. Mann said she's important to Rustlers hockey both on and off the ice.

"Kylie is a leader on our team," he said. "Her high energy and elite skill set make her a top player on our league."

"She is also an incredibly high character, kind and compassionate human being."

Going into this year, Perry said she's down for the increased responsibilities that being a veteran comes with and is also looking to make a bigger mark offensively."

"I liked the penalty kill and locking down defending, but this year I want to focus more on getting in good passes, helping teammates score goals, improving my shot and leading by example," she said.

That will be put to the test soon, with the home opener just over a week away. Perry said the team has been looking forward to opening night, in which they face the ACAC silver medalists, the RDP Queens.

"That will be electric, given it's a rematch," she said. "I'm excited."

Kylie Perry is in her fourth year of Bachelor of Commerce at Lakeland College. Puck drop for the home opener is 7:00 pm at the Cenovus Energy Hub on Oct. 3.