Lakehead U first Canadian women's program to join American Collegiate Hockey Association

The Lakehead women's club hockey program is putting Canada on the U.S. college hockey map.

The team has joined the American Collegiate Hockey Association, making them the first Canadian team to ever join the association.

They will compete in the women's Division 2, with 32 other teams.

"When I got the news from Scott Hicks [VP of the ACHA's Women's division], I was so excited for the girls on the team now and those in the future." said Lakehead manager Leah Vanderwey in a recent news release.

"It puts post-secondary women's hockey on the map in a region that is home to two Olympic gold medalists — Katie Weatherston and Haley Irwin. It gives an opportunity for young women to attend Lakehead University, play for the Thunderwolves and represent Canada in an American league. It just doesn't get better than that."

Players and their families have been helping financially to keep the team going along with sponsorship assistance from the Oliver Rd Can-Op, Pic River Hydro and Clarke Explorations and the fundraising continues to pay for team travel.

The Thunderwolves' next scheduled ACHA game is on Jan. 16-17 in Ames, Iowa against Iowa State University Cyclones.