The early years of the Brock women’s hockey team were anything but stable. With no permanent home, practices and games would be held wherever ice time could be found.

Fast forward two decades and the Badgers women’s hockey team opens its 20th season Saturday, Oct. 21 with an anniversary celebration at the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre, where the team now plays its home games.

The Badgers will open the 2017-18 Ontario University Athletics regular season in a 3:15 p.m. game against the Queen’s Gaels. Before the game, the team will honour its history and welcome back many of the players who have worn the Badgers logo over the years.

“It has been 20 years since a number of former students worked tirelessly and selflessly to form the very first women’s hockey team at Brock. Saturday’s festivities are a small way to recognize these efforts and to unite the generations of Brock women’s hockey players through the ages,” said Brock women’s hockey head coach and former Olympian Margot Page. “Every year we have a lot of proud Badgers coming back to celebrate our women’s hockey alumni weekend, but this Saturday is pretty special.”

The Brock women’s hockey program, started by Brock alumnus Todd Erskine (BA ’99), has made major strides over the past 20 years. The team has had many talented players go through the program such as former Brock Female Athlete of the Year, Sarah Whitty (Brooks) (BSM ’98), who will be recognized Saturday with the Badger of Honour Award. The award was first handed out last year to former team captain Steph Allen (BA ’02, BEd ’03, ENPC ’03).

Brooks called it an honour and a privilege to be part of the Brock women’s hockey program.

“As we celebrate 20 years, we must reflect upon the countless hours that our volunteers and original members dedicated to the organization, implementation and continued success of the program,” she said. “Thank you to all of our supporters — from Brock Athletics, original community sponsors and our family and friends for believing in us and giving us this incredible opportunity to represent you in a sport we love.”

Other standout players that have come through the program include former CIS Player of the Year Kate Allgood (BA ’07) and CIS-All Canadians Beth Clause (BRLS ’11), Kelly Walker (BEd ’11) and Jessica Fickel (BSc ’14).

Annie Berg, a recent member of the Under-18 Canadian National Team who heads into her second year with the Badgers, said she’s hoping this year’s team can honour its history with a successful season.

“It’s exciting to see how far the program has come in the past 20 years and amazing to honour those who paved the way before us in the program to make women’s hockey at Brock what it is today,” said Berg.

As part of the 20th anniversary celebration, all Brock women’s hockey alumni have been invited to a reunion scrimmage at 1 p.m. and a reception at 1:45 p.m., both taking place at the Seymour-Hannah Centre.