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Calgary Inferno bring back five Olympians

Inferno also announce four players will not be returning

The Inferno are staying red hot with their signings.

Today, they announced five Olympians who will be back for next season — including Brianne Jenner and Blayre Turnbull, both of whom played four games with Calgary after the Olympics. Brigette Lacquette, Rebecca Johnston, and Aina Takeuchi will also be returning.

“Being a part of the inferno organization is a great source of pride for me. I can’t wait to return with the club in the fall,” stated Jenner in the league’s press release. “This summer I’ve been based in Calgary and training with my Inferno teammates that live here. I’m looking forward to September and getting the whole team together. I think we have a great opportunity to challenge for the Clarkson Cup this year and I just can’t wait to get going!”

The return of these five familiar faces will be a boost to the relatively new team the Inferno have been building. Thus far they’ve signed free agent Zoe Hickel; US Olympians Kacey Bellamy and Brianna Decker; and, as their two pre-draft signees, recent NCAA graduates Halli Krzyzaniak and Rebecca Leslie.

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The team also announced four players who will not be returning next season: Rookie of the Year Sophie Shirley, goaltender Toni Ross, Kennedy Brown, and Brittney Fouracres. Ross and Fouracres are leaving to focus on their non-hockey careers while Brown (University of Saskatchewan) and Shirley (University of Wisconsin) will be returning to school.

Two former Inferno Haley Irwin and Bailey Bram will start the season on the reserve roster, with no time table for their return. Irwin and Bram both are taking some time after the Olympics. Meaghan Mikkelson is currently expecting her second child.

The departure of Ross, coupled with the retirement of Delayne Brian and trade of Genevieve Lacasse, leaves only one goaltender on the team: Lindsey Post. Post saw 733 minutes of time last season with a save percentage of .913.

Look for GM Kristen Hagg to draft any number of the strong goaltenders currently on the prospect list — from American Olympian Alex Rigsby to Finland Olympian Meeri Räisänen to Japanese Olympian Akane Konishi.

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