The University of Vermont has announced seven new players for its 2010 women's hockey team, including Greater Sudbury girl Danielle Rancourt.

Rancourt joins the Vermont Catamounts after a season acting as assistant captain with the Pursuit of Hockey Excellence Academy in Kelowna, B.C. In 2008, Rancourt's club team, the Sudbury Lady Wolves Midget AA, won the provincial championship. They came in third in 2009.

From her position at defense, Rancourt's record includes 11 goals and 39 assists through 50 games last year.

Also named to the team areMegan Dalbec, Kellie Dineen, Roxanne Douville, Kelci Lanthier, Valerie Stoul, and Breane Sundquist. Douville is from Beloeil, Que., while the rest of the named players come from across the U.S.

"Our incoming class for the 2010-11 season provides great depth and balance between all three positions," Tim Bothwell, head coach, stated in a press release.

"We have added excellent goaltending, a very solid trio of responsible puck moving defenseman as well as speed, aggressiveness and hockey sense up front at forward. All seven student-athletes will not only have an impact on the ice, but in the classroom and within the UVM community as well.”

The Vermont team begins its 2010-11 season with an exhibition game against McGill University in Montreal Que. on Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. The regular season starts at RPI on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Houston Field House.