MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – Former Mercyhurst women's hockey players Meghan Agosta, Vicki Bendus, and Jesse Scanzano were all drafted in the top five at the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) draft, held recently in Mississauga, Ontario. Agosta was drafted first overall by Montreal and was followed closely by Bendus, who went fourth overall to Brampton, and Scanzano, who was drafted fifth overall by Toronto.

Also drafted from Mercyhurst in the CWHL draft were defensemen Melissa Lacroix (17th overall by Toronto) and Cassea Schols (60th overall by Alberta).

Agosta, a native of Ruthven, Ontario, finished her illustrious career at Mercyhurst by becoming the all-time NCAA leader in goals (157), points (303), power-play goals (55), shorthanded goals (20), and game-winning goals (39). She became the first player in the NCAA era to record more than 300 points for her career. Agosta was a four-time RBK Hockey/ACHA First-Team All-American, and a four-time Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top-Three Finalist. She also was a four-time CHA Player of the Year, four-time All-CHA First Team selection, and was the USCHO and CHA Rookie of the Year in 2007. Agosta also is a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team Canada, having earned the Most Valuable Player award at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Bendus is currently Mercyhurst's only winner of the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, winning the award in 2010. The Wasaga Beach, Ontario native finished her career with 190 points in 140 games as a Laker, leading the nation in scoring with 65 points in her junior season, leading to the Kazmaier trophy. Bendus was a two-time Academic All-American in 2010 and 2011 (3.95 GPA in biology/pre-med) and was a RBK Hockey/ACHA First-Team All-American in 2010. She capped off her career with 52 points last season for the Lakers.

Scanzano became just the third player in Mercyhurst history, joining Agosta and Valerie Chouinard, to achieve 200 points for her career, finishing with 225. The native of Montreal, Quebec was an All-CHA First Team selection in 2010 and a two-time Second Team member in 2009 and 2011. She registered at least 40 points in each season with Mercyhurst, scoring a career-high 65 points in 2010. She finished second on the team in scoring last season with 58 points.

Lacroix (Penetanguishene, Ontario) and Schols (Edmonton, Alberta) were mainstays on the Laker blueline, each playing in 144 career games. Lacroix registered 69 career points and was an All-CHA First Team selection in 2010. Schols finished her career with 89 points and was the CHA's Top Defenseman in 2011. She also was a two-time All-CHA First Team selection (2010 and 2011) and was a Second Team member in 2009.

The five aforementioned players join three other former Lakers currently playing in the CWHL: goaltender Laura Hosier (Brampton), defenseman Ashley Pendleton (Brampton), and forward Samatha Shirley (Burlington).

The Canadian Women's Hockey League is the most premier, professionally run women's hockey league in the world. A number of former Olympians and world champions currently play in the six-team league. The teams in the league include: Alberta (new for upcoming season), Boston, Brampton, Burlington, Montreal, and Toronto. The CWHL was founded in May 2007 out of the ashes of the former National Women's Hockey League (NWHL).