Rebecca Bouwhuis Ready to Establish Herself as Next Elite Goaltender in OUA

In the resurgence of the Waterloo Warriors, goaltender Rebecca Bouwhuis is a key component. The Orillia, Ontario native accumulated the second most minutes played among all goaltenders in Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

Other numbers that placed Bouwhuis in the top ten nationally included a .933 save percentage (seventh overall) and a sparkling 1.95 Goals Against Average (tenth overall).

As the first Waterloo player to be named OUA Rookie of the Year, Bouwhuis feels like she is part of Warriors hockey history. “Yes, definitely. I'm very proud to be a student of the university to receive this award. They've done a lot to support both myself and the team this season. I couldn't have received this award without the support of the university, our coaching staff, and my team.”

In addition to the OUA honors, the 5'11" backstop became the first Waterloo player to be named a CIS All-Canadian. “To think of all the many players that have received this award and what they've done, it's truly an honor to be considered on the same playing field as them. Such an achievement is proof of how much the Waterloo women's' hockey program has grown in the past years and I don't doubt it will grow even more.”

With the World Winter University Games (also known as Winter Universiade) coming up in 2013, the Canadian team shall be composed of players that compete exclusively in CIS. Her outstanding season definitely puts her in consideration for a spot on the Canadian roster.

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“If chosen, it would be a huge honor to represent both my university and my country. To be able to challenge myself in such a way and to be able to meet other players that share the same passion for a game - it's definitely an exciting prospect.”

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Like all great goaltenders, there is always a game early in their career that can be a humbling experience.

Her first game with Waterloo was a Welcome to the OUA moment. “It was definitely an adjustment. We opened against Windsor on Thanksgiving weekend and lost 5-1. I made it my goal to not let that many goals in a single game again.”

The following day, Bouwhuis made 41 saves as she earned the shutout in a 2-0 win over the Windsor Lancers. She would also earn a shutout against the Ryerson Rams (November 13). Her final game of the 2011-12 season ended on a winning note with a 2-1 win over the Guelph Golden Gryphons in overtime.

When asked what made her want to be a goaltender, Bouwhuis replied, “I think I was intrigued by the position at a young age. My older sister started playing hockey before I did so I got to watch a lot of practices early on. My mom remembers going to hockey camps where I would sit in the stands and just watch the goalies. So my first year at novice, three of us on the team shared one girl’s goalie equipment. I don't think I ever wanted to not be a goalie.”

Having grown up in the Greater Toronto Area, Bouwhuis was influenced by the four seasons (1998-2002) that Curtis Joseph spent with the Toronto Maple Leafs. “Curtis Joseph (was my favourite goalie). I don't think I've liked another player or goalie as much since then. I remember being completely heartbroken when Cujo didn't return to the Leafs (in summer 2002). I'm pretty sure I cried.” 

Prior to Waterloo, Bouwhuis stood between the pipes for a few teams. “I played the majority of my hockey out of a small town of Coldwater for the Coldwater Capitals. I then played a year of boys (hockey) with the Orillia Terriers, jumped around a bit before playing for the Aurora Panthers of the PWHL for my last year before university.”

For Bouwhuis, the year of playing boys hockey stood out as an experience that helped to mold her. “Playing with the boys taught me a lot. It was also eye-opening to think that was such skill out there, and it really made me work hard to match that.”

Statistically, her rookie season in OUA conference play as a rookie was superb (584 saves, .933 save percentage), but Bouwhuis has shown that she can post even better numbers. “I think it's possible but I know for this season it's not my main priority. I want to make sure I play the best for my team. I try not to focus too much on the individual statistics because every game and every season is different.”

Stats aside, the priority for Bouwhuis is a postseason berth. “Definitely. Our coaching staff has done a tremendous job recruiting and preparing us for the season. Everyone is feeding off the excitement of last year and we'll be pushing hard to get that playoff spot. It's definitely in reach.”

This fall, Allie Mitchell from the Ridley College Tigers has been recruited as a backup to Bouwhuis. Reputed for playing the puck well out of her crease, Mitchell gives the black and gold a goaltending tandem that may remind fans of another pair of goaltenders that don the black and gold: Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins.

"Quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated"