25th Anniversary Alumni Profile - Sanford Sabres Natasha Kostenko

Natasha played hockey for the Sanford Collegiate Sabres for 3 seasons in 2007-2010. During that time, she was the Winnipeg Free Press Division MVP for 2009 and 2010. She played forward on the team. She was a hard-working player and helpful teammate. Natasha is a strong role model for young women in education and hockey and has done well since leaving high school in 2011. 

Hockey Accomplishments:

• 2009 & 2010 MVP: Central Plains Capitals AAA Female Hockey
• 2010: Central Plains Capitals AAA Female Hockey team record for most goals in a season, a record which still stands to today
• 2011: Canada Winter Games participant in hockey
• 2011: Won the Esso Cup (Canadian Women’s U18 National Hockey Champions) with Notre Dame High School (attended their Hockey School for her grade 12 year)
• 2011-2013: Attended Bemidji State University and played hockey for them; Led BSU in Freshman points in 2011-2012; Offensive Player of the Year in 2012-2013
• 2018: Attended University of Manitoba and won the National University Championship with the U of M Bisons Women’s Hockey team 

Previous Community Involvement:

• Natasha was a Bison Book Buddy
• Assistant Coach with the Junior Bisons hockey organization

What is Natasha doing now?

• Natasha is finishing her last year at the University of Manitoba in the Faculty of Education and will graduate with her Education degree in Spring 2022. Natasha is a teacher!
• Natasha is an Assistant Coach with the Sturgeon Heights Huskies of the Winnipeg Women’s High School Hockey League. 

Natasha’s Experience: 

“I am definitely fortunate to be able to have played high school hockey for three years. The high school league was full of players that demonstrated vast amounts of skills which challenged me to be better every time I stepped on the ice. Thank you to my coaches and teammates over the three years that were a big part of creating an environment that was fun and challenging on and off the ice. Those three years I played in the league were a time in my life where my love for the game of hockey grew. High school hockey has given me a set of skills which not only helped me be successful for hockey but also in my adult life.”