VANCOUVER – With eight players graduating from his 2016-17 U SPORTS bronze medal winning roster, one might think UBC bench boss
Graham Thomas will be spending his off-season fretting over holes to fill in his line-up card. There will definitely be some of that, but news that dynamic forward and Vancouver native Emily Costales will be transferring to the UBC Thunderbirds from the NCAA's Syracuse Orange will definitely bring a satisfied grin to Coach Thomas' face.
Costales' has excelled in her three years in the NCAA and has seen her offensive output and role on the Orange grow in every season since her freshman year of 2014-15. In 2016-17, Costales became an alternate captain and was Syracuse's second leading scorer with 9 goals and 16 assists. She is excited to return to her hometown of Vancouver and play for the Thunderbirds.
"I really wanted to come back home because I was homesick," says Costales. "I spent three years at Syracuse and the coaches were amazing and the program was great, but something that was missing was having my family and friends watch all of my games."
Costales plans to pursue a degree in computer sciences. The academic might the University of British Columbia offers also played into her decision to transfer.
"UBC is such a great academic school so if I can finish my undergraduate degree there, it would be awesome," adds Costales.
Not only is Thomas getting a player who will contribute on the score sheet and has a well rounded game, Costales was a +14 in 2016-17 for the Orange, he is also getting a dressing room presence who will fit seamlessly into the culture of the UBC women's hockey program.
"She's just a great person," says Thomas. "She's been an alternate captain and she can be a leader for us. She can fit in with our group. That's always so important when we take transfers."
Costales played for both the Pacific Steelers and the BC's U-18 squad in her youth hockey career. She cites current Thunderbirds
Celine Tardif and
Mikayla Ogrodniczuk as players she knew well during those years.
