Nadeau a key for Lynx
Mia Nadeau was easy to spot on the ice for the Saint-Jean-de-Brébeuf Lynx Tuesday.
The 17-year-old, Grade 12 student not only logged a considerable amount of ice time, but also stood out for her performance.
Nadeau scored her team’s lone goal and was a constant presence both offensively and defensively as the Lynx battled the A.N. Myer Marauders to a 1-1 tie in a Niagara Region High School Athletic Association girls hockey game at the Gale Centre.
“She played a lot,” Lynx coach Danielle Chartrand said. “One of our other defencemen was not here so Mia takes up her spot on a regular basis.
“She plays really hard. She wants it and is passionate and is a good teammate as well.”
Nadeau’s effort and attitude have earned her a spot on the Adrian College Bulldogs next season where she will study chemistry and chemical engineering at the Division III school located in Michigan.
Nadeau, who plays at the club level for the Hamilton Hawks, was discovered by the Adrian coach Shawn Skelly during an exhibition game between the teams earlier this season.
“I scored in the game and played really well,” Nadeau said. “The coach approached me after and offered me a spot a few weeks later.”
Nadeau said she had just begun the recruiting process when the offer was presented.
“I started in about August trying to get recruited but it never really picked up until I got asked to go play with them and then other offers started coming in after that,” she said.
Nadeau is eager to start the next chapter in her life.
“The hockey is really great and the coaching staff is amazing. I’m already friends with a few of the players which is really good.”
She feels the school will be a good fit away from the rink as well.
“It’s a pretty small campus,” she said. “It’s very homey. Lots of old buildings but everything is renovated. You can walk to all the classes and the arena is right beside the freshman dorms.”
Nadeau previously suited up for the Stoney Creek Warriors and Brock Badgers.
“This spring realized I might be able to take this a step further and try and improve,” she said.
She is enjoying her final season with the Lynx, who have a 3-1-2 record this season.
“It’s very nice. You feel very wanted on the ice and feel like you have a lot more opportunity to do things I may not be able to do in a game with my team,” she said.
Chartrand has been pleased with the team’s success this season.
“We’re doing very well. Last year it was a different story,” she said. “This year it seems like a completely different team but half the girls are still there. It’s a great change how the team has come together. They’re a group that supports one another as well. Great team work and attitude as well.”
The Marauders are 1-3-2 this season.
“We’ve had a good turnout but we’ve had a lot of injuries,” Myer coach Jeff Kapitanchuk said. “We have a lot of ringette players. The numbers are a little low but the future is bright for girls hockey at Myer. In two or three years we’re going to be making cuts. We have a lot of numbers coming.”
Mia Wilson netted the Myer goal.
Dear reader. If you liked this story or one of the 4,800 other stories found on our website, please consider hitting the Support Us button on the right-hand side of our home page and making a PayPal contribution to our website. Your support would be much appreciated. If you are a business owner, please consider advertising on our site. Our rates are reasonable and we provide plenty of exposure for your business. Contact bpotrecz@outlook.com for more information.
