ACAC Women's Hockey Finals preview
by ACAC Sports Writer Curtis J. Phillips
At SAIT Trojans women's hockey practices, when someone shouts out "Madison?"…at least three heads will turn with Madison Fjellstrom, Madison Colbow and Madison Casavant responding
To make it worse, they wear uniform numbers 18, 19 and 20 respectively.
Also add to the fact, that for all three Madisons, this is their second year wearing Trojans colours while playing in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).
All three also had standout games in the ACAC Women's Hockey Semi-Finals, which saw them pitted against the NAIT Ooks, winning the best-of-three series behind 4-3 and 5-4 overtime decisions with the lone loss a February 24, 2017 4-6 performance.
Heading into the 2016-2017 ACAC Women's Hockey Championships against MacEwan University, the Griffins will no doubt scout closely this triple-threat along with the rest of the Trojans crew.
The scouting report will no doubt show that Madison Fjellstrom led the Trojans in goals during the semi-final run with three to her credit.
The Prince George, British Columbia native was humble about her post-season performance so far.
"I wouldn't call myself a huge goals scorer," said Fjellstrom, 19, who for the ACAC regular season had five goals and eight assists in 24 appearances. "Everyone stepped up their game and it could have been anyone getting the goals. I couldn't have got them without my teammates."
Fjellstrom attributes her love for hockey to her older brother Tanner Fjellstrom, who would go on to play Junior A hockey with the Prince George Spruce Kings (2010-2013).
"He was one of my biggest role models growing up and he is probably why I went into hockey," concurred Fjellstrom, who also dabbled in soccer and volleyball in her teens.
Lacing up the skates for boy's hockey teams during her Novice and Atoms years, Fjellstrom would play her Peewee, Bantam and Midget hockey on girl's teams.
"I have no real memories of playing on boys teams," said Fjellstrom. "I do remember that they stuck me in goal one time and I let in something like 15 goals probably. But they did not put it all up on the scoreboard (mercy rules) so it wasn't super high when I looked up, so I thought I did pretty good.
"Going to play with the girls was cool. With the boys, I did not feel a part of the team as you had to change in a different locker room and they usually did not talk to me. Once I got to Peewee with the girls, that is where I kind of skyrocketed and started loving the game."
As a right winger, a position she still holds today, Fjellstrom led her squads to Bantam and Midget provincial titles.
It was during her Midget stint that she volunteered to coach local Peewee girl's hockey.
"Maddie is a great role model on and off the ice," Prince George Cougars head coach Stewart Malgunas was quoted at the time in a media release. "She works hard, loves the game and is a pleasure to coach."
Following graduation from Northern Cougars Kelly Road Secondary School, Fjellstrom, with several colleges and universities interested in her services, left for Calgary, Alberta and SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) to enroll in Business for 2015-2016.
"I knew a couple of girls on the (Trojans) team and I knew with that, that the transition would be easier," said Fjellstrom, whose rookie season would show her scoring three goals while adding six assists in 24 games. "I couldn't give up hockey just yet and I wanted to get an education.
"It was a step up for me and I struggled to find my place last year and then I started to work my way up as the nerves went away."
Asked "What kind of player are you?" she replied: "I am a gritty player. I like to get into the corners and try to work my hardest and the goals come from there."
Of the Griffins matchup she concluded: "They are going to come out hard at us. They have a pretty hot goalie (Sandy Helm) too. We are ready and we are super excited."
Griffins advanced to the championship having defeated the Red Deer Queens 1-0 in Game 2 and game 3 after having lost 2-3 in Game 1.
The best-of-five series starts Thursday March 2, 2017.
MacEwan dominated the regular season series against SAIT, winning five-of-six and outscoring the Trojans 13-7.