RDP Queens Hockey team is building a winning culture in 2025-26

Brett Wold, Head Coach of the Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Queens Hockey team, enters the 2025-26 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) season with a vision that extends beyond statistics and wins. For Wold, success begins with fostering an environment where players feel inspired.

"Our goal is to create a culture where the student-athletes want to come to the rink every day," says Wold. "After that, everything else starts to fall into place."

That culture has already been forming. With 10 newcomers integrating alongside 16 returning student-athletes, the Queens are combining youthful energy with veteran leadership. This blend has fostered synergy on and off the ice, laying the groundwork for a team identity built on trust and common goals.

"Our new and returning Queens are great individuals," he says. "They push each other to get better. They're establishing an identity of being a hardworking and skilled team."

Among the returning forwards are Hayley Kolosky, Jailyn Bablitz, Arilyn Toews, Victoria Longley, Mia McGregor, Tasha Barsby, Molly Flynn, Karli Kutschinski, Camryn Ward and Rylee Mepham. On defence, Emily Hourie, Addison Longmore, Sarah Raymond, Avery Winchell and captain Kaedence Mollin have returned to the team. Tora Ward returns for her third season in the Queens' net.

Kelowna's Mollin has emerged as a cornerstone of the team, anchoring the Queens with outstanding commitment, leadership and skill. Last year, she recorded 25 points in 25 games during the regular season and earned several prominent awards, including ACAC Women's Hockey Top Scholastic Achiever, ACAC Women's Hockey Player of the Year and Red Deer Bottling Outstanding RDP Female Athlete of the Year.

 

"We have a ton of key returning players and they've led the way," says Wold. "They've set a strong foundation, so it's easier for the new players to follow."

The incoming recruits have brought talent and ambition. The Queens' new forwards include Paige Cheek (Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration), Natalie Tychowsky (Bachelor of Education), Jordyn Veitch (Bachelor of Education), Aubrey Sanderson (Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies) and Gabriella Meier (Kinesiology and Sport Studies Diploma).

Hannah Lundquist (Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences), Brooklynn Cochrane (Open Studies) and Grace Kirk (Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences) have joined the Queens' defensive corps. New to the Queens' crease this season are goaltenders Elizabeth Campbell (Bachelor of Arts in Psychology) and Juliette Gagne-Delaunay (Bachelor of Kinesiology).

"We brought in good people," notes Wold. "They work hard and fit into our identity."

That identity has already translated into results. During five preseason games, the RDP Queens have achieved an impressive 4-0-1 record, demonstrating early signs of cohesion and competitiveness.

"The Queens are adjusting and buying into our system," adds Wold. "I've been impressed with the maturity of the team. The players pick things up quickly and are a good 200-foot group. We are happy with our forwards, defence and goaltenders. We've been thoroughly impressed."

Last season, the RDP Queens (18W-6L-1OTL) finished third in the ACAC during the regular season and went on to capture silver in the playoffs, dropping the best-of-five final to the Lakeland College Rustlers in four games. That rivalry will be reignited in the season opener on Friday, October 3 in Lloydminster.

"It's a new season," says Wold. "Regardless of the result, we want to learn from the game, build from it and play Queens Hockey."

The home opener will follow quickly. The RDP Queens will host the Medicine Hat College Rattlers on Saturday, October 4 at 7 pm at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.