A standout defenceman for the Swift Current Innovation Federal Credit Union U18 Female AAA Wildcats will continue her hockey career closer to home next season.
Seventeen-year-old Rayna Hennie recently committed to playing for the University of Regina Cougars women's hockey program.
The first-year Wildcat had two offers to select from - Minot State and Regina.
"More excited for Regina because it's where I live," she said. "It would cost less, (so I) can save money for the future if I chose Regina. Their hockey program is really good and I'm really excited about that."
The chance to move back home with her family was a key part of Hennie's decision-making. She's also built a relationship with the Cougars coaching staff over the last few and was encouraged by their message if she elected to join the team.
"They see me as one of the top incomers coming up," she said. "That's really exciting to hear but they can't give me much info right now because they haven't seen me play with their team."
That same high praise about the Weyburn product was also sung by Wildcats head coach Terry Pavely, who's made it his mission to help his players find hockey at the next level.
"She's a real skilled player," he said. "Skates very well, a really good shot, and very good on the power play. She's a kid that as a university coach you're going to see her on the ice, you're going to see that high skillset. You see the offensive upside that she can bring to a team."
Education was at the forefront of the left-shot defenceman's mind when making the choice. She'll be following in the footsteps of family members joining the healthcare industry.
"My family has a long line of nurses in the family so I definitely look up (to them) and had people to look up to in that field," she said. "I wanted to make it higher and get my masters in that because I have a liking for helping people."
Hennie will stretch her bachelor of science in nursing into a five-year program and then upgrade to a Master of Nursing, to become a nurse practitioner.
Two other Wildcats alumni are a part of the Courgars program - Shelby Rublee and Cassidy Peters.