The University of Regina's women's hockey team opens up its 2008-09 Canada West schedule on Friday night against provincial rival Saskatchewan, then will travel to Saskatoon for a Saturday night game against the Huskies to finish the weekend.

The Cougars finished with a 12-10-2 record and in fourth place in the conference last season, while Saskatchewan placed third with a 12-9-3 mark.

The Cougars turn over half of their roster from last season, but head coach Sarah Howald has replaced the departed players with a talented crop of incoming recruits and expects to ice a solid, balanced squad this season.

Despite having 13 newcomers on her roster, Howald has been impressed with the improvement she's seen over the course of the preseason.

“The transition has been really good,” Howald said. “We have some strong veteran players with great leadership skills, and the rookies are buying into the system. I'm excited for the season to start.”

Howald expects a strong season from goaltender Lisa Urban, who was named to the Canada West All-Rookie Team last year after posting stellar numbers during her first season on campus. Urban's goals-against average of 1.76 was the second lowest ever recorded by a U of R netminder. Besides Urban, Howald will also have the services of rookie goalie Naticia Leskun, who played for the Melville Prairie Fire last season.

The U of R's defencemen have impressed Howald with their poise and ability to move the puck. Four blueliners from last year's team return this year, including fifth-year defenceman Brooke Einarson, who had 10 points in 20 games in 2007-08 and will serve as one of the team's co-captains. Also back this year is Stefanie Banilevic, Bret Dundas, and Jayme-Lee Green. The team has four rookies on the blue line, including Landa Hain and Hillary Lerat from the Regina Rebels, Kourtney McCutcheon (Weyburn Gold Wings), and Jessica Pennell (Melville Prairie Fire).

Kara McGeough, Kelsie Graham, and Kelcie McCutcheon are the team's top returning forwards. The trio combined for 23 goals and 54 points last season and will continue to be counted upon to provide some scoring pop for the Cougars. McGeough, one of the team's two co-captains, finished second on the team last year in goals (12) and third on the team in points (19). Alyssa Kaczmar and Rae-Lynn Somogyi are the team's only other returning forwards.

Nicole Gooding transferred to the U of R from Wilfrid Laurier and has one year of eligibility remaining. The fifth-year forward won a national championship with the Golden Hawks in 2005 and brings a wealth of experience to the Cougars' roster.

Howald brought in seven first-year forwards this season, including Rianne Wight from Weyburn. Wight came to the U of R with impressive credentials and has already showed some scoring touch during the preseason, scoring three goals in the Cougars' five non-conference games. Paige Wheeler (Weyburn) and Carla Wilkinson (Regina Rebels) could also slide into offensive roles early in their CIS careers. Howald's incoming forward class also includes Gina Campbell (Melville), Kendyll Kolbeck (Melville), Stefany Rankin (Weyburn), and Chelsea Tekonomy (Edmonton Thunder).

Both of this weekend's games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.