OUA West MVP and McCaw Cup champion heads to Turkey

TORONTO / KOCAELI, TURKEY — Tonbara Sports & Entertainment is proud to announce that Katherine Heard has signed her first professional contract, a one-year deal with TED Kocaeli SK in Turkey.

The signing caps a decorated five-year career at the University of Guelph, where Heard served as team captain and led the Gryphons to an OUA championship. In her final season, she was named OUA West Division MVP and OUA First Team All-Star, posting 25 points (eight goals, 17 assists) in 26 games — all career-highs.

Heard was named the McCaw Cup Player of the Game after scoring the game-winning goal in the third period against Ottawa in the OUA final — Guelph's eighth conference title in program history. She added five goals in nine playoff games, including a game-winner against Waterloo in the quarterfinals and a shorthanded breakaway goal in the bronze medal game at U SPORTS Nationals.

Off the ice, Heard was active in the Student-Athlete Mentor Program and volunteered weekly with Junior Gryphons. She graduated with a Sociology degree and plans to pursue graduate studies alongside her professional career.

"Katherine earned this opportunity through hard work and leadership at every level,"  said Patrik Darabont, Founder & Principal at Tonbara Sports & Entertainment. "She was the best player in OUA West, delivered in championship moments, and now she gets to test herself professionally. We're excited for what’s ahead.“

Tonbara Sports & Entertainment is a full-service athlete representation agency licensed by FIFA, NBAPA, FIBA, and PWHLPA, with offices in Toronto, Miami, New York, and Los Angeles.

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