HAMILTON (February 23, 2010) – Six Gaels were recognized as the OUA released its Major Award Recipients and All-Star selections for the 2009-10 women's hockey season on Tuesday.

Becky Conroy of Pembroke, Ont., and Alison Bagg of Kingston, Ont. earned first team selections while Elizabeth Kench of Gananoque, Ont., earned second team honours. First year players Morgan McHaffie of Cambridge, Ont. and Mel Dodd-Moher of Stittsville, Ont. were named to the OUA All-Rookie team and Head Coach Matt Holmberg of Pembroke, Ont., garnered OUA Coach of the Year honours.

In all, Queen's was tied with Laurier as the most recognized university with six awards each. Queen's had the most All-Star selections with three and tied Laurier for the most rookie team choices.

Conroy, a fourth-year history major, was the OUA's second leading scorer and ranked fifth in the nation. In 27 games, she tallied 34 points (17G, 17A) while recording five game winning goals, ranking her fourth in the nation.

Bagg, in her fifth season with Queen's, was a rock solid defender while posting nine points (1G, 8A) and six penalty minutes. She served as the Gaels captain this season and is the younger sister of Rob Bagg who is a Queen's football alumni and currently a member of the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Kench claims second team honours after securing the OUA scoring title with 38 points. The fourth-year forward led the nation in assists with 26 and ranked fourth in Canada for points tallied. This is Kench's second all-star selection having earned OUA first team honours in 2007-08. In 2006-07 she garnered selection to the OUA rookie team.

McHaffie and Dodd-Moher selection to the OUA rookie team marks the fifth time in five years the Gaels have had a player selected to the first-year team. Current Gaels Kench and Michelle Hunt of Mississauga, Ont. earned the honour in 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively. McHaffie tied for the OUA rookie scoring lead with 24 points while Dodd-Moher compiled a 13-5-2 record registering a 1.82 goals against average along with a .942 save percentage.

Holmberg's recognition comes after his first season behind the bench as the Gaels Head Coach. He guided his team to a 41 point season with a 19-5-3 record and a second place finish. Holmberg is also the architect of the fourth best offence in the country with 91 goals; only Laurier, Moncton and Alberta rank higher. With its 19 wins, the Gaels secured their most in team history and are currently ranked No. 7 in the country entering their OUA semifinal against Guelph. Holmberg has been with Queen's for four seasons, the first three as an assistant coach.

Queen's all-star cast will look to knock off the fourth place Guelph Gryphons (14-13-3) in an OUA semifinal three-game series. The Gaels host the opening match of the series set for 7:30pm on Thurs., Feb. 25 at the Kingston Memorial Centre. Guelph will host game two on Saturday Feb. 27. If needed, Queen's will host the third game at 2:30pm on Sunday, Feb. 28 at the Kingston Memorial Centre.

2010 OUA WOMEN'S HOCKEY MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

Player of the Year: Liz Knox (Laurier)
Rookie of the Year: Candice Styles (Laurier)
Marion Hillard Award: Veronica Johnston (Western)
Coach of the Year: Matt Holmberg (Queen's)

FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS
Forwards
Becky Conroy (Pembroke, Ont.) - Queen's
Andrea Ironside (Collingwood, Ont.) - Laurier
Ellie Seedhouse (Whitby, Ont.) - Western
Defencemen
Alison Bagg (Kingston, Ont.) - Queen's
Kelsey Webster (Duncan, B.C.) - York
Goaltender
Liz Knox (Stouffville, Ont.) - Laurier

SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
Forwards
Manon Davis (Sudbury, Ont.) - Windsor
Dayna Kanis (Georgetown, Ont.) - Guelph
Liz Kench (Gananoque, Ont.) - Queen's
Defencemen
Kelly Setter (Keswick, Ont.) - Toronto
Jackie Sollis (West Vancouver, B.C.) - Guelph
Goaltender
Beth Clause (Hamilton, Ont.) - Brock

OUA ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Forwards
Morgan McHaffie (Guelph, Ont.) - Queen's
Jill Morillo (Whitby, Ont.) - UOIT
Candice Styles (Orangeville, Ont.) - Laurier
Defencemen
Rebecca Bond (Sudbury, Ont.) - York
Maureen Mommersteeg (St. Thomas, Ont.) - Laurier
Goaltender
Mel Dodd-Moher (Stittsville, Ont.) - Queen'