WATERLOO, Ont. - The 2024–25 season was one of milestones for the Golden Hawks women's hockey program. For the first time in over a decade, the Hawks recorded 17 wins, only seven regulation losses, cracked the U SPORTS Top 10 national rankings, and saw both individual and team success recognized across the OUA. 

Leading the way was first-year forward Clara Chisholm, who earned OUA Rookie of the Year honours and a spot on both the OUA and U SPORTS All-Rookie Teams.  

Behind the bench, head coach Kelly Paton was named OUA Coach of the Year, becoming only the third head coach in program history to earn the award. 

However, the team's success was rooted in more than on-ice performance; it was the community around them. 

"We have a very supportive team from players to coaches, and even our staff," Chisholm said. "Having that sense of community, especially as first years, really helped us feel like we could succeed and have confidence going into games." 

Paton agreed, crediting the strength of the program's culture. 

"We're very intentional with who we choose to surround our program with," she explained. "Winning is a byproduct of how connected we are as a group. It's just nice to see those two things come together." 

Chisholm is a psychology major from Granton, Ont., who played in all 26 games during her debut season, leading the Golden Hawks in goals (7) and points (19).  

She also topped all OUA rookies in power-play scoring, finishing with 10 points on the special teams unit. 

"Being recruited by Laurier was amazing and a dream come true; being able to play here has been an honour," Chisholm said.  

"The whole coaching staff has shown me a completely new way of looking at the game, and it's made me love it even more. Being surrounded by everyone's support is what pushed me to that next level, and I'm happy to receive this recognition and bring eyes towards our program." 

Paton noted that the coaching staff saw this potential long before Chisholm stepped on the ice in purple and gold.  

"She might not feel like she knew she could project into this category of performance, but it's something that us coaches knew she was capable of during our recruitment. The recognition she received is tough to achieve, but it's well-earned and well-deserved," Paton said.  

"She's playing a big role for our team, logging heavy minutes and producing on both sides of our special teams. From a team standpoint, it's exciting to recruit on the foundation that we have young talent making an impact right away." 

Paton is a Woodstock, Ont., native who has just completed her sixth season leading the Golden Hawks. For her, being named OUA Coach of the Year was less about personal achievement and more about the program's steady growth. 

"I think it's more of a reflection of the last seven years rather than a single year. My intention at Laurier was to help rebuild a championship era, and we're on our way there," she said.  

"The sport concept and sport culture right now is different from when I played, and we've got to continue to adjust as coaches to make sure that we're meeting the needs of the student athlete of today."  

"Overall, coaching awards reflect the work of the entire staff, and I certainly can't do this by myself," she added.  

That collective effort has translated into results.  

Last season, Laurier improved its win total by four, added 10 more points in the standings, and climbed into the national rankings for the first time since 2014.  

The Golden Hawks also finished with the top power play in OUA West (20.9%), scoring a conference-best 23 power-play goals while becoming the only team not to allow a shorthanded marker. 

Luckily, with only three players graduating at the end of last season, Laurier returns the bulk of its roster next season.  

"I know our team and I have been working hard all summer to improve," Chisholm said. "The coaches have shown us what we need to do to perform at our best, and I'm excited to see how that leads into the season." 

Paton, too, has her sights set on the next step.  

"We want to move past the first round of the playoffs and be competitive for a national championship berth," she said.  

"At the end of the day, it comes down to intent and execution – you can only change hockey so many ways, but how we perform in those key moments will set us apart." 

With a dominant 5-1-1 preseason complete and the regular season puck drop set for October 8, the Golden Hawks are ready to soar even higher and show that last year was just the beginning.