Media Release
assiniboine.net/athletics
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Emms-Finnsson Brings Grit to Cougar Women’s Hockey
BRANDON, Man. (March 10, 2022) — Keely Emms-Finnsson has committed to the Cougars women’s hockey 2022-23 roster.
Emms-Finnsson is a self-proclaimed “farm girl” from Arborg, MB—population around 1,200. At an early age she took an interest in hockey and speed skating. Growing up in a small town, she says, hockey was the obvious choice. Most recently she played for the Winnipeg Silvertips in the Manitoba Women’s Junior Hockey League. Prior to that she played for the Stonewall Blues. The 5’8” power forward amassed 6 points in 11 games played this season.
“Keely is a power forward who’s got a nose for the net,” said head coach Tony Bertone. “She’s a reliable 200 foot player that likes to mix it up in the hard areas, on the walls and in front of the net.”
Emms-Finnsson isn’t just a force on the ice. She has been involved in her community, volunteering at various events, from local Terry Fox Runs to local Christmas Cheer.
On top of that, she has a long list of academic accomplishments. She achieved honour roll status with distinction during her time at Arborg Collegiate Institute (2017-2020) as well as the Evergreen School Divisions Award for Excellence (2018-2020). She was awarded the CUPE Local 3164 award, Rotary Club of Gimli Scholarship, Noventis Credit Union Scholarship, Friederici Farms Agriculture Scholarship, Red River Exhibition Foundation 50th Anniversary Farm Family Scholarship and the University of Manitoba Hogg Centennial Entrance Award. The latter influenced her to enroll in agriculture classes at the U of M this last year.
Emms-Finnsson is a multisport athlete, and on most teams she has played a leadership role as captain or co-captain. She competed for Arborg Athletics in cross country, basketball, volleyball, badminton and track and field. She also competed in track and field for Team Interlake in the 2016 Manitoba Summer Games. Emms-Finnsson has coached softball, power skating, track and field and hockey, more recently as a junior coach for the U15 Female Interlake Lightening team.
“I’m eager to learn, so I am not afraid to ask questions to improve my skills and the team,” said Emms- Finnsson. “I am a consistent and forceful player. I’m a team player and bring a lot of intensity to not only my game but my teammates as well.”
Emms-Finnsson attributes some of her tenacity in hockey to long, hard days on the farm.
“It requires a strong work ethic as well as grit and determination to not let yourself give up,” she said. Fittingly, Emms-Finnsson will be taking the colleges’ Agribusiness program in the fall.
“Agriculture is a huge part of who I am as I grew up on a farm,” said Emms-Finnsson. “It is where the majority of my interests lay and this program will be a great start to a career in Agriculture.”
About Assiniboine Athletics
The Assiniboine Cougars teams compete in men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s futsal (a variation of indoor soccer) in the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC) with the winner competing for the Canadian College Athletics Association (CCAA) championship. The women’s hockey team play in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA).
About Assiniboine Community College
Assiniboine Community College has been providing exceptional learning experiences for over 55 years. For staff and students alike, Assiniboine offers unparalleled learning environments and responds well to the demands and requirements of the Manitoba labour market. Instructors follow the philosophy of ‘learn by doing’, combining theory with hands-on learning inside classrooms, labs, kitchens, shops, fields and the college’s Sustainable Greenhouse.
Assiniboine offers more than 40 diploma and certificate programs across a variety of disciplines including culinary arts and hospitality, business, agriculture and environment, health and human services, trades and technology. The college also delivers apprenticeship programming in a range of skilled trades disciplines.
The college welcomed more than 3,600 full-time and 6,000 part-time students last year. With campuses in Brandon, Dauphin and Winnipeg, Assiniboine provides comprehensive educational opportunities throughout Manitoba. The college also partners with many communities and organizations across the province to deliver customized education and training.
Assiniboine’s annual provincial economic impact is $613 million.
For more information, please contact:
Tony Bertone
Women’s Hockey Head Coach
Assiniboine Community College
whockey@assiniboine.net
204.761.9778
or
Lindsay McLaughlin
Athletics Manager
Assiniboine Community College
cougars@assiniboine.net
204.725.8700 ext 6340