The new players suiting up are defenceman Kara Carter (Whitby), goaltender Emma Thompson and forwards Vanessa Johnstone, Nicole Pigeon and Breanne Hadley.

Carter played in all 36 games last season for the Whitby Junior Wolves and helped lead the team to a title at the Durham West Light Tournament. She has also played with the Willowdale Red Wings and the East Enders AA boys' team.

"Kara is the type of player every team needs," said assistant coach Scott Barker in a new release. "She knows the position very well and plays a non-flashy consistent game night in and night out."

A Hastings native, Thompson joins UOIT after playing in the Durham-West and Peterborough minor hockey programs, where she built up an impressive resumé. Throughout 50 games this season, Thompson posted an extraordinary 1.12 goals against average.

"Thompson will be competing for the starters role immediately this fall at training camp," commented Barker. "We are excited to have a player of Emma's calibre in the lineup for next season."

Johnstone, of Niagara Falls, will be looked upon to add an offensive spark for UOIT. The speedy forward will look to improve upon her 43 goals from last season.

"Vanessa has the skill set to become an impact player right away in the OUA," said head coach Gary Pitcher. "The Ridgebacks coaching staff has followed her progress and we are confident she is going to fit well with our team for several years to come."

Pigeon, a Scarborough native, is coming off an excellent post-season with the Toronto Aeros, where she averaged nearly a point per game and during the regular season she scored 10 goals and added nine assists in 32 games.

"Nicole is an overall great athlete," noted Pitcher. "We expect that she will make an immediate impact in the OUA."

A native of Belleville, Hadley joined the Aeros last season after playing with the Perth Jr. Red Wings. With the Wings, Hadley demonstrated her offensive prowess as she won the scoring title in 2006-2007. Last season, she notched seven goals and added 11 assists in 39 games with the Aeros.

"The addition of Nicole and Breanne provides us with an instant one-two scoring punch," Pitcher added. "They are both extremely gifted athletes which will not only compliment our current roster, but more importantly solidify two more cornerstone players as we build our program."