After successful minor hockey careers including time in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL), RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna Indigenous student-athletes Danica Maynard and Linnea Misner are set to begin their freshman seasons in the NCAA this fall.
The pair of defensemen will take their talents to the state of Pennsylvania as Maynard suit-up for Penn State University (University Park, Pennsylvania), while Misner will head to Robert Morris University (Moon Township, Pennsylvania).
Maynard, who was born in Kamloops, BC and moved to Clinton, BC at the age of one, joined the CSSHL in 2020/21 with the Okanagan Hockey Academy (OHA) Black Female U18 Prep team. She would play three seasons with OHA before joining RHA Kelowna in 2023/24 for another two seasons.
Overall, Maynard won back-to-back CSSHL Female U18 Prep Western Championships to close out her CSSHL career with RHA Kelowna, while being named a BC Division First Team All- Star and CSSHL Female U18 Prep Top Defenseman in her final season.
More impressively Maynard exits the CSSHL as the all-time assist leader among Female skaters, posting a whopping regular season total of 108 in 123 games. Her 156 points rank third all-time among female skaters, and second amongst defensemen.
Misner didn’t join RHA Kelowna until the 2024/25 season but had an immediate impact, recording 18 points in 30 regular season games before adding 3 points in 5 playoff games to help RHA Kelowna win their fourth straight CSSHL Female U18 Prep Western Championship. The Cooks Creek, MB product spent the 2023/24 campaign with Balmoral Hall School, who joined the CSSHL for the 2024/25 season.
Both have found success outside of the CSSHL having represented their province, and in Maynard’s case, her country, on multiple occasions.
“Representing Canada at the 2025 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Finland and winning gold was one of the greatest highlights of my career so far,” remarked Maynard. While the chance to represent one’s province or country at an elite level is something all hockey players aspire for, the opportunity means that much more for the Metis duo.
“Having the opportunity to play four years at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) has been the most positive experience of my life and helped shape me,” said Misner. “My first ever NAHC was particularly special because my older sister was also on the team and we won gold together that year in Membertou. Our Métis community was so proud of us when we brought home the medal, and it was such a sense of pride for all of us.”
It may seem like the careers of Maynard and Misner have progressed without any hiccups, but the pair have persevered through with hard work, overcoming discrimination and prejudice. “I started learning about our culture at a young age, and about the challenges and injustices my ancestors faced. At the time, it felt like society didn’t always accept who we were, and that was difficult to understand,” said Maynard. “Eventually, I made a decision to fully embrace my identity and not be afraid to be myself. Learning more from elders and Métis Nation BC staff really helped me grow into that confidence.”
Taking pride their history, rather than hiding it, is something Maynard and Misner have come to embrace. “I take a lot of pride in my Métis heritage and hope to inspire other Métis youth,” added Misner.
This season that pride helped Misner as she was named the Manitoba Indigenous Athlete of the Year. “I was extremely honoured to have been recognized with this award, my hope is that my experience will inspire others and I look forward to giving back to my community and being a mentor to other athletes in the future.”
Contributing to the success of Maynard and Misner have been some great mentors and coaches, including Kris Hogg and Garret Festerling, both in their community, and in hockey.
“I’m so grateful for all everyone has done to support me in the pursuit of my dreams and goals. I’d like to give a special thank you to the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Manitoba Sports and Recreation Council for all their support over the years, said Misner while Maynard added “I really look up to Indigenous elders who’ve paved the way and made it possible for me to be where I am today. To me, role models are the ones who push through adversity and they’ve done exactly that.”
These mentors have motivated the pair to provide a similar sense of guidance and mentorship for the generations younger that will look to follow them. “With hard work, sweat, and dedication, you’ll become much better. Remember to have fun, but also stay focused on the path you’ve envisioned. There will be many people trying to shape your journey, but ultimately, it’s your journey. You are the one who gets to make those steps and choices. Stay true to yourself and work hard, and good things will come,” remarked Maynard.
As they get set to make the jump to college this fall, they will rely on their coaches, mentors and ancestors, along with the skills they learnt during their time in the CSSHL.
“RHA Kelowna has prepared me well and brought my game to the next level in preparation for the NCAA,” said Misner. “With the two hour daily high intensity practices and the daily consistent off-ice training and skill development, I feel well prepared to step into RMU and make a meaningful contribution to my team.”
“I loved the daily training, the competitive environment, and being surrounded by like-minded athletes. The mentorship I received on and off the ice was huge. You really build strong friendships and grow alongside people who push you every day to be better,” reflected Maynard.
College hockey will be the next step in a journey that they hope one day sees them playing in the PWHL. And with the trajectory they’re on, the sky is the limit for the young Metis student- athletes
