University of Minnesota Athletics
International Experience: Junior Defenseman Melanie Gagnon
10/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Playing hockey in the WCHA is no easy feat. For most players, they will never experience a level of competition higher in their careers. However, Melanie Gagnon is not like most people. At the age of 21, she has already been selected to the U-22 Canadian National Team five times and looks to bring the experience and leadership to Minnesota in hopes to help the Gophers win a national championship and provide an intensity on both ends of the ice that should make for a remarkable season.
Last year, the St. Adolphe, Man., native showed her ability on both ends of the ice, leading the team in points by a defenseman and being a top power play and penalty kill force on defense. Tallying 27 points, a total up from 11 the year before, Gagnon looks to continue her offensive progression this season. On the ice, she is looked to take a leadership role this season. With the combination of experience and ability, she hopes to dominate the blue line with both offensive and defensive skills.
“She's very competitive and has very good offensive instincts,” said Head Coach Brad Frost. “She's just a tremendous skater, she makes skating look so easy and is one of our better skaters on the blue line.”
Coming into this season, Melanie brings five years of international competitive experience to Minnesota. Since the age of 17, she has competed on the Under 22 Canadian National Team, a team that has won gold at the Air Canada Cup in Germany multiple times. Melanie points to making the team as one of the highlights of her career.
“It was huge,” Gagnon said. “Talk about expectations, the first day I went out for the U-22 Team I was 17, so I was pretty young. I made the team and this is my fifth year so I guess I'm a seasoned vet. But it's great putting on the maple leaf. Representing my country is something that not many people get to do so I really enjoy the experience.” She added, “(The highlight) of the U-22 team would have to be the first time we went overseas and won the Air Canada Cup in Germany. Just being part of that team and having them raise the Canadian flag and sing our national anthem was a great experience and a first I will never forget.”
Coach Frost feels the experience gives her an advantage, saying, “anytime you can get over and play internationally and play against a lot of other countries, you just gain that experience and that confidence from playing with better players that in turn make you better. She's had more international experience than most of our players so I think they look to her for some of that experience and leadership. She does a nice job accepting that role.”
“Obviously being part of the U-22 team gave me great coaches and great teammates that forced me to get better,” Gagnon explained. “Coming back here, with great coaches and great teammates has given me an edge so I can be a leader on the ice.”
But being a leader means something different to Melanie. Instead of looking up to her for how to play on the ice, Gagnon believes that people should also learn from her mistakes as well.
“Hopefully I lead by showing what not to do sometimes,” said Gagnon. “I like to take risks and I'm not afraid to admit when I'm wrong. Hopefully people realize to just play the game since everyone makes mistakes. I lead by example but also lead by screwing up every now and then.”
Gagnon leaves the intensity on the ice, however, as her personality reflects a different kind of person. With a calm demeanor, her personality off the ice is anything but the intense, fierce player that appears when she puts on the maroon and gold.
“With her personality, she's just kinda goofy,” Frost said. “A great personality, a great teammate, someone that others look up to as an example. She's really laid back off the ice but once she gets on the ice she's pretty intense.”
As far as looking ahead, Melanie says that her focus is more on school and her career rather than the thought of playing international hockey. She says the Olympics would be great, but she'd rather take advantage of a great opportunity at Minnesota.
“Playing in the Olympics is obviously everyone's dream, and it's still one of mine but I'm still also pretty goal orientated with schoolwork so I want to leave the U with a good job and great opportunities. I'm majoring in Biology so I want to get into pharmacy somewhere,” Gagnon said.
Despite all of her international experience and accolades, Gagnon still looks to play for Minnesota as the highlight of her career.
“My greatest achievement was getting a scholarship to come to the University of Minnesota,” Gagnon said. “In women's hockey, you will never make a living playing, but getting school paid for and getting all of these opportunities and great friendships are something I'll always be grateful for.”
When looking ahead, Melanie has only high hopes for a team expected to contend for the national title saying, “We're looking good. Our goal is always a national championship. I'm excited. It's kind of a fresh start, not saying that we weren't great the past few years but it's a breath of fresh air with the new freshmen and everyone new. Even the veterans are part of this new team and since everyone's experiencing this, it's only going to bring us closer together.”
Story written by Ben Flattum, Athletic Communications Student Assistant
