The Central York Panthers would like to congratulate our 2021-22 Jr Panther Mikayla Cranney on her commitment to USports OUA Queen's University Golden Gaels women's hockey program. The past year has reminded us that there are no sure things in life but with Mikayla it was obvious from day one that she would excel in sports at the highest level. A natural athlete, Mikayla has used her athleticism and combined it with a relentless work ethic to make her one of the top 2005 players in Ontario. We are thrilled to be able to make this announcement for a lifelong Panther!
(Aug 3, 2021 Aurora, Ontario) – The Central York Girls Hockey Association are pleased to announce that their 2021-22 Jr Panther Mikayla Cranney has committed to play USports OUA Women’s Hockey for the Queen’s University Golden Gaels in Kingston, Ontario for the 2023-24 season.
Mikayla has been an integral part of the Central York Panthers at every level. Mikayla is a natural leader and she has had a prominent impact on her Panther teams over the years. She helped lead her teams to gold at the OWHA Provincials three times and has helped to position them as top contenders every year. That kind of success does not come without a lot of leadership from within. Mikayla leads through her own unyielding determination to be better every day. These personal standards have inspired her teammates over the years into achieving enormous success and a belief that each of those teams can accomplish anything they put their mind to when they have Mikayla at their side. Her quiet leadership speaks volumes through her actions as well as a personal set of gold medal habits that have shown all of us the power of sport and quality of her Panther coaches along the way.
Mikayla is ecstatic about getting an opportunity to play for such a prestigious school like Queens. “I’m very excited to continue my academic and hockey career at Queen's University. My Panther coaches and teammates along with the whole Panther organization have helped me become the best player I can be both on and off the ice. Being a Panther has given me so many opportunities, whether it was being a part of so many successful teams or getting to use our Panther association as a way to support our community and give back. It has been a great ride so far and I have so many amazing memories.”
The highly accomplished Head Coach of the Queen's University Golden Gaels Varsity Women's Hockey team, Matt Holmberg, has been watching Mikayla’s progress as a Panther over the past few years and is very excited that she is joining his program. “Queen’s is thrilled to add a student-athlete of Mikayla’s caliber to its 2023 women’s hockey family.”
Central York’s Junior Head Coach Steve Dempsey is very proud and delighted by this signing. “Mikayla is an amazing person and a great friend to all of us in the Panther organization. I have had the pleasure of coaching Mikayla before and I am beyond excited to get that opportunity again. If you are lucky enough as a coach to have a player like Mikayla you will know what I mean when I say that coaching Mikayla makes all of the effort worthwhile. Mikayla has had some great coaches along the way and she has always given them her very best. As a coach you can’t ask for anymore from your players. Mikayla makes you want to be a better coach because she is giving you everything and you feel inspired to give her your very best. I value Mikayla as a friend and appreciate everything that she does to make the Panthers organization the best organization. She really wants her time here to have made a positive impact on the Panther organization for years to come. She wants to leave a legacy here and that is so inspirational for me as a coach to hear from one of our players. Mikayla is a program changer and Queens has just added a significant piece to their future success.”
Mikayla is scheduled to start the 2023-24 season with the Queen's University Golden Gaels in September 2023.