CONGRATULATIONS KAITLYN MCKNIGHT - University of Toronto Commitment
Submitted By Stephen Dempsey on Wed 05 12, 21
(May 10, 2021 Aurora, Ontario) – The Central York Girls Hockey
Association is thrilled to announce that their 2020-21 Jr Panther Kaitlyn
McKnight has committed to play USports OUA Women’s Hockey for the University of
Toronto Varsity Blues in Toronto, Ontario for the 2022-23 season.
Kaitlyn has been an essential part of the Central York Panthers family for the past 2 years and has immersed herself into the Panther culture. Kaitlyn headlines a talented offensive unit with the Jr Panthers that boasts several Ontario High Performance players and is geared to play a fast, skilled, transitional style of hockey that prepares these players for elite hockey opportunities. It is obvious to anyone that knows Kaitlyn that she loves hockey and wants to be the best she can be. Her passion and determination have been resolute even during these unprecedented times. Kaitlyn has used this past year to take her skill level to another level. She puts in countless hours away from the team to improve her skating and individual skills. When she isn’t working on her individual skills she is busy working on some team activity to help build a strong Panther culture.
“During my first two years with the Central York Panthers my coaches and teammates have helped me excel both on and off the ice. Coach Steve and the other Panther coaches were instrumental in helping me realize my dream - from supporting me off the ice with the recruiting process, to helping me take my game to a whole new level. I am very excited to play for the Varsity Blues in 2022. The University of Toronto is a perfect fit for me both academically and athletically. Playing hockey while going to University has always been a dream of mine. I am very grateful to the Panthers for helping me achieve this and I am really looking forward to playing one more year with the Jr Panthers in 2021”, announced Kaitlyn McKnight.
Known as a highly skilled, intelligent player who scores at a high rate especially at critical times in the game when her team really needs her to contribute offensively. Kaitlyn is counted on to contribute offensively while going against some of the top players in the highly competitive PWHL. In addition, it is the continuous development of her leadership skills that has led her to be sought out by her teammates for guidance, counsel, or emotional support throughout the season.
The highly accomplished Head Coach of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, Vicky Sunohara, has been watching Kaitlyn’s progress as a Panther over the past year and is thrilled that she is joining her program.
Central York’s Junior Head Coach Steve Dempsey is especially excited about this signing. “Kaitlyn came to Central York with some doubt about her abilities and how far she could go with her game. She has quickly transformed herself into an exceptional student-athlete. She puts in a remarkable amount of work on her own and is ready to be an impact at the next level. She is very skilled and is able to do many things that put her amongst the best 2003’s in the province. But it is Kaitlyn’s heart and commitment to the Panthers that has really made an impact with me. I feel so lucky to have met and had the chance to become better friends with Kaitlyn. She inspires me everyday to be a better coach and a person. I can honestly say that Kaitlyn is a program changer. Our success from this point forward will have Kaitlyn’s fingerprints all over it. The Varsity Blues are very lucky to have Kaitlyn and we are looking forward to seeing her excel at such a prestigious program”.
Kaitlyn is scheduled to start the 2022-23 season at the University of Toronto in September 2022.