University of Minnesota Athletics
Featured Player: Megan Bozek
12/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Dec. 15, 2011
If you are hanging around the Gophers' hockey team, few players are more noticeable than defenseman Megan Bozek. The junior from Buffalo Grove, Ill., has been a force at both ends of the ice since joining the maroon and gold.
Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Megan found from an early age that she enjoyed being on the ice. "I have two older brothers who played hockey when they were younger, so I was always around the rink. My parents decided to put me on skates and I have loved it ever since." Unlike Minnesota, Chicago is not known for it's high school hockey and most elite players play in the club system. Megan played with the Chicago Mission organization and says that her hockey experience is similar to the high school game. "I think it is comparable to high school hockey. I had some great opportunities and a great team."
Megan was a leader for multiple years with the Mission. She had the opportunity to play in multiple national championship tournaments and says the high level of competition smoothed the transition to WCHA play. "Whenever you are put in an emotional game I think it prepares you for the future. The preparation needed for games (with the Gophers) is very similar. Playing for a team for that competes for a national championship is huge."
Bozek is a proud Chicago Blackhawks fan. Megan says she does not like to model her game after any particular NHL player, but she does admire the play of skilled Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook. "He has a great shot and battles in the corners. I have learned from watching him on TV." Seabrook and the Hawks brought the Stanley Cup to the Windy City in 2010 and a smile to Megan's face. "I will never forget where I was at and who I was with when (the Blackhawks) won. Before the lockout, the Blackhawks were not a big team, but now they have the best fans in the NHL."
Bozek is the first Gopher ever to hail from the state of Illinois. Megan commented that she could not imagine wearing a jersey other than the "M." "I came here because of the atmosphere. The coaches and the players are great. It is like a home away from home."
Bozek has put up solid offensive numbers in her first two years in Minnesota, but this year she has taken it to a new level. Bozek comes into the weekend leading all defenseman in the nation in points. Megan has 21 points on the year through just 18 games, which is on pace to shatter her previous best of 24 points in a season. Megan was quick to give the team credit for her offensive success. "We have an unbelievable team this year that creates a lot of chances. It helps when you're on the ice with players who know what you are capable of and know your strengths and weaknesses. It allows me to rush the puck as an offensive-defenseman, but also stay back."
Megan says the depth and versatility of this year's defensive group allows the Gophers to get lots of offense from the back end. "I would say it's arguable that we have the best defensive core in the nation. We have left-handed shoots and right-handed shoots. Every defenseman has the ability to shoot the puck from the blue line, which I think is huge because our forwards aren't scared to stand in front of the net and tip the puck in. "
For all of her success on the offensive end, Megan is more than adequate on the defensive end. She led the team in plus/minus last year and this season she is leading the defenseman in this stat once again.
Megan Bozek made it clear that she is concerned first and foremost about the success of the team. "In any game when we get points that is great, it doesn't matter if it is me or anyone else, if the Gophers are up that is a great moment right there." Megan did say that her favorite team to score against was Wisconsin. She accomplished that with the first goal in a 3-2 victory over the Badgers in October. "Anytime someone can score in the Kohl Center, I think that is huge. Wisconsin is one of our biggest rivals. It was a great feeling to score against them."
Megan and the rest of the Gophers will get a chance to score against the Badgers again when Wisconsin comes to Ridder Arena on Jan. 6th and 7th.
By Josh Brennock
