University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Defenseman Maggie Souba
10/23/2006 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
To represent myself, the team and the University of Minnesota with class, integrity, honesty, dependability, responsibility, a positive attitude, an unselfish and ‘team-first’ attitude, accountability, a strong work ethic, loyalty, an appreciation of privileges, and an awareness of my role as a member of Gopher Women’s Hockey.
Women’s hockey head coach Laura Halldorson uses this creed to describe what she feels a Gopher women’s hockey player should be. Last year, the coaching staff chose Maggie Souba as the player who most demonstrated those expectations. Souba, a senior defenseman from Moorhead, Minn., won the prestigious team award due to her ability to have a team first attitude through injuries or illness, her flexibility with position changes, her hard work in the classroom, her team leadership and volunteerism.
In the past, illness and injury have kept Souba from seeing the ice. As a junior, Souba missed 10 games because of mono last year. Although she dressed for the remainder of the season, Souba had to play catch up since she wasn’t in hockey shape after mono. It was something she would have to battle through the rest of the season.
“It was hard to watch the games when you want to be out there playing, but its something you can’t control,” said Souba. “That’s why winning the GWH award last year meant a lot to me. I didn’t always have consistent playing time, but it’s about being there for your team.”
Not being able to play could frustrate the average athlete, but Souba took her energy that she couldn’t give on the ice and gave it to others in need. Along with receiving the GWH award last year, Souba has also received the Ridder Award in 2004-05, which is given to the student-athlete that does the most within the community. Souba said that she used every opportunity she could to give back to the community or kids. It’s common to see Souba reading to elementary kids, or visiting classrooms when she can, giving her an opportunity to connect with kids. This year, Souba is taking it one step further and will be volunteering at The Bridge for Runaway Youth. The Bridge is a shelter for children who either are not welcome in their homes or are run aways.
“I go there and hang out with the kids,” said Souba. “I just try to be someone who listens to them and can be their friend.”
For Souba, knowing that she is impacting people is most rewarding to her. Whether it is a little girl coming to a hockey game and being inspired or an inner city kid looking for a role model.
Being one of three seniors, Souba also has been thrust into the task of leading and inspiring her own teammates. “I try to lead by example, working hard and keeping a positive attitude,” said Souba. “I just hope that my younger teammates follow my example.”
In the off season Souba took that mind set to another level by working hard to get back into peak physical and mental shape after recovering from mono. The coaches took notice of her hard work causing Souba’s “team first” attitude and work ethic to be put to the test once again.
This season, Souba’s position as a forward for the past two years has changed to defenseman.The graduation of three defenseman last year left the team with a hole that the coaches knew Souba could fill. It will be an easy transition for Souba, who played this position her freshman year.
“Her natural position is defense, but she has the flexibility to play both,” Associate Head Coach Brad Frost said. “It is what we liked about her when we recruited her. She is our most steady defenseman and she is a reliable player.”
“The transition is all about getting into the mindset,” Souba said. “It’s getting used to the little things that you forget when you change positions. Whatever gets me on the ice I will play.”
For Souba, Gopher hockey is not about the playing time or having the best statistics, but about the opportunities it has given her. “I have gotten to travel, meet President Bush and be a positive example to younger girls. That is not something everybody gets to do.”
Souba has also taken the opportunity athletics has given her in the classroom as well. A 2005 WCHA All-Academic and Academic All-Big Ten honoree Souba continued her academic success into 2006. She was awarded the WCHA Scholar Athlete and was a WCHA All-Academic selection last year. Souba will graduate in the spring of 2007 with a communications studies degree. She aspires to work with high-risk children through sports.
Persistent even in the face of illness and injury, volunteering her free time to those in need, setting a positive example for her other teammates and academically successful. Souba has proved herself a true role model of Gopher women’s hockey.
