EDMONTON - Leading all first-year players in scoring, Pandas forward Natalie Kieser has been named the 2022 Canada West Rookie of the Year. 

Kieser, a product of the St. Albert Slash, led all conference rookies with 16 points in 20 games, with her nine goals the second-highest total of any player in CW. 

Her 16 points were second on the Pandas to Madison Willan's 21, who won the Canada West and U SPORTS Rookie of the Year Awards in 2020. Kieser is the 8th Panda to win the Canada West ROTY award. 

"Natalie has been a much welcomed surprise to our program. Her impact on and off the ice has been exemplary," said Pandas head coach Howie Draper. "She earned a role on our top line, became a regular fixture on our specialty teams, and above everything else, has earned a high degree of respect by coaches and teammates alike for what she brings as a person. Her ceiling is high and I'm very excited to have her in our program for the next four years."

Kieser added 42 shots, four powerplay points, and a a +10 rating in her first season of Canada West hockey. She will now go forward as the Canada West nominee for the U SPORTS Rookie of the Year award. 

Pandas to win Canada West Rookie of the Year Award
 

Year	Name
2021-22	Natalie Kieser
2019-20	Madison Willan
2016-17	Kennedy Ganser
2012-13	Jessica Kampjes
2008-09	Stephanie Ramsay
2004-05	Tarin Podloski
2001-02	Kristen Hagg
1999-00	Danielle Bourgeois

BOLD - U SPORTS Winner

2022 Canada West Women's Hockey Awards

Goaltender of the Year
Zoe De Beauville - Mount Royal Cougars

Player of the Year
Tianna Ko - Mount Royal Cougars

Top Defenceman
Rylind MacKinnon - UBC Thunderbirds

Rookie of the Year
Natalie Kieser - Alberta Pandas

Coach of the Year
Scott Rivet - Mount Royal Cougars

Student-Athlete Community Service Award
Anna Purschke - Mount Royal Cougars