The Pronghorns women's hockey team posted its best ever Canada West record this season and the conference has recognized that success with a pair of major awards for the program.

First-year forward Sadie Lenstra was named Canada West Rookie of the Year and head coach Chandy Kaip earned the nod as Canada West Coach of the Year, it was announced Thursday.

Lenstra was a highly recruited Calgary product who stepped right into the Pronghorns' lineup with an immediate impact, scoring in her very first game.

Not only did she lead conference freshmen in scoring, but with 19 points in 22 games, Lenstra finished 12th overall in the conference scoring race. The majority of her team-leading 10 goals came at the most opportune time, leading the team with three game-winning goals as Lethbridge went 14-8-2 on the season. In addition to her offensive prowess, Lenstra provided the Horns with a two-way game, also leading the team in plus/minus, with a +8 rating.

"Sadie is a very talented and dynamic player," says Kaip. "She has stepped in on our first line, all special teams and has been a top contributor for us. This is a big role for a rookie to play and Sadie met many of our expectations for a first-year player."

Kaip also met or exceeded expectations. It took some time and patience, but that perseverance paid off for the fourth-year head coach, who guided the Horns to their best season in school history. The 14 wins doubled the program's previous best and was a 19-point turnaround from last season, vaulting the team from seventh place into a playoff spot for the first time in five years.

"Chandy had a good year this year, she had a strong recruiting class and she developed her team into a strong competitive unit," says Pronghorn Athletics Executive Director Sandy Slavin. "Being selected for this award by her peers recognizes the effort Chandy has put into the program."