TORONTO – U SPORTS announced Wednesday the staff that will join Laurier's Kelly Paton in leading the Canadian women's hockey team at the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games from January 13-23 in Torino, Italy.
Laurier's Sam Eyles-Frayne has been named Strength & Conditioning Coach while Carleton University's Stacey Colarossi and Mount Allison University's Addie Miles-Abbott will serve as Paton's Assistant Coaches. Matina Landstad will serve as Canada's Equipment Manager.
"As we look forward to the upcoming FISU World University Games, we are proud to highlight our women's hockey staff, whose diverse portfolios bring invaluable experiences from U SPORTS, professional leagues, and National team camps. I am thrilled with the makeup of our staff, and I think it will be hugely helpful in the Games setting," Paton said.
Eyles-Frayne is the Coordinator of High-Performance Strength and Conditioning at Laurier. She is in her 13th year working with elite athletes, including seven in the OUA, and has coached athletes through three Olympic quads (Rio 2018, Tokyo 2021, and Paris 2024).
"Being selected to represent Team Canada as part of the FISU staff is both an incredible honor and an exciting opportunity to contribute to our nation's sporting legacy on the global stage," Eyles-Frayne said. "I'm eager to bring my passion, dedication, and pride to this international experience, knowing it will be a journey filled with growth, teamwork, and unforgettable moments."
Colarossi is in her third season behind the Carleton bench, and her 18th campaign as a coach at the U SPORTS level. She served as Associate Coach for China at the 2022 Olympic Games, was Assistant Coach for Canada at the 2011 FISU Games in Turkey, earning a gold medal, and the Head Coach for Canada at the 2019 FISU Games in Russia, earning a silver.
Miles-Abbott is in her second season leading Mount Allison University, after three years as an assistant with the Manitoba Bisons. The Winnipeg native participated in the 2011 FISU Games, registering seven points in seven games on way to a gold medal in Turkey.
Landstad serves as the Head Equipment Manager for the Women's Hockey program at the University of Waterloo. She has also served in that role for PWHL Toronto, and participated in the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend as an equipment manager. The West Vancouver product will also be supporting Hockey Canada's Para Hockey Team at the IPH Cup in Czechia this fall.
"Many of our staff have previously attended the FISU Games. This will be instrumental in planning for the short-term competition. Their unique insights and leadership will help to showcase the depth of talent and dedication we have across our Canadian student-athletes."
Paton and the staff will be evaluating players across the country, with a roster announcement scheduled for later this fall. The Games run January 13-23, 2025 in Torino, Italy.
-With files from U SPORTS
