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Natalia Taylor inks deal with McKendree University

Sooke minor hockey product will play in American Collegiate Hockey Association
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Natalia Taylor

Natalia Taylor will play for the McKendree University Bearcat’s women’s hockey team next season.

Taylor, a Sooke minor hockey product, committed to the team last week.

“It’s really exciting. It’s a step up from what I was playing,” said Taylor, 19.

Taylor left Sooke four years ago to play high school hockey with Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Saskatchewan.

She was recruited heavily by Bearcats’ coach Craig Buntenbach, who saw her play in Washington and Buffalo.

“[Natalia] has good size and is strong on her skates. She is also very tough along the boards. I see her contributing both as a strong defensive and offensive threat,” Buntenbach said.

Taylor said the reason she signed with McKendree University was the hockey and its photography program.

She hopes to get a degree from McKendree and then possibly play hockey professionally in Europe, or “just keep dreaming about Team Canada.”

The McKendree women’s hockey program will compete in Division 1 of the American Collegiate Hockey Association. The university is located in Lebanon, Ill.