CALGARY – A pair of standouts from the University of Calgary Dinos women's hockey team both signed professional contracts to play at the next level earlier this week.

Elizabeth Lang and Courtney Kollman – who both finished their time in the Scarlet & Gold just over two months ago – are now headed to Davos, Switzerland to play for HC Davos.

"This is an incredible feeling," Lang said. "I'm grateful to God for the gifts he has given me because it is pretty surreal to be able to go and play the sport I love in a beautiful European country. It's great to be able to experience this journey with fellow teammates and friends. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as I never thought I'd have the chance to live and play hockey in Switzerland."

Lang finished up her five years on the ice with the Dinos this past February. The Edmonton native finished her Dinos career with 46 goals and 51 assists for 97 total points. She saved her best for last though, as Lang finished second in Canada West with 30 points in the regular season this past year, racking up a career-best 18 assists in the regular season alone. For her efforts, she was named a Second Team All-Canadian as well as a Canada West First Team All-Star.

Kollman was right behind, creating one of the most lethal scoring lines in the entire country this past year. In her lone season as a Dino, the CW Second Team All-Star finished third in the conference in the regular season with 28 points on 11 goals and 17 assists. 

The dynamic duo continued to gel as the season went along, helping the Dinos go 8-4 down the stretch and claim a Canada West quarterfinal series upset win over Saskatchewan – the first postseason win for Calgary since 2015.

"I'm super excited to be going over to Europe alongside my liney, Liz," Kollman said. "Getting to play professional hockey has always been a dream of mine, so to get the opportunity to go to Switzerland and be a part of a great program in Davos is pretty special. 

"I would like to thank the Dinos, (interim head coach) Josh (Gosling) and (assistant coach) Kelty (Apperson), and all my teammates for pushing me this past season to also be at my best and helping me get to the next level in my career. I can't wait to represent the Dinos overseas. It's such an honour."

Lang echoed those sentiments about her time in the Scarlet & Gold.

"Having been a Dino for the past six years has helped me grow into being a professional athlete and a more well-rounded person. My experience as a Dinos player and working with various coaching staff and teammates has helped me adapt to new challenges and opportunities. This program has physically and mentally matured me as a player to be able to play at a professional level. I would like to thank the Dinos organization for developing me into the person and athlete I am today. I am proud to bring Dinos spirit to Switzerland and I can't wait to show Europe what the Dinos can do."

HC Davos plays out of the top-tier Swiss Women's Hockey League (SWHL A). This past year, the team finished in fifth place with 38 points in the 28-game regular season. The 2024-25 SWHL season runs from September-March.

-UC-