Agosta ready to take advantage of her ‘amazing opportunity’
Ruthven native selected to participate in women’s game at NHL all-star weekend
Ruthven native Meghan Agosta is set to lace up her skates at this week’s NHL all-star weekend.
With positive feedback from women competing in last year’s skills competition, the NHL has added an elite women’s 3-on-3 game to this year’s event in St. Louis.
The 20-minute contest on Friday will feature Agosta with nine other Canadian national team players against a team of American national team rivals. Combined, the 20 players have 39 Olympic medals and 109 world championship medals.
“A few weeks ago, I received an email from the NHL,” said Agosta, who has won Olympic gold three times with Canada along with a silver medal. “I kind of did a double take and it was like, ‘This is amazing ’ and instantly had a smile. What an amazing opportunity.”
Women’s hockey has been trying to raise its profile and Agosta is thankful to the NHL for giving the game a platform during all-star weekend.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction and I can’t thank the NHL enough,” Agosta said. “It’s great for the NHL to try and help grow the game.”
Now a police constable in Vancouver, Agosta is one of the few players in the 3-on-3 event not playing the game professionally, but she is behind that goal for women’s hockey.
“I look at my daughter (Chance) and what we do now is to try and leave a legacy for that opportunity,” Agosta said. “We might not have that (North American) pro league and get paid to play, but we want to do everything to help out this generation, like my daughter and others, then our job’s done.”
It’s just an exhibition game, but Agosta knows there’s always a different feel when Canada pits its best against the United States.
“I think it’s going to be fun, but it’ll be a battle every time you put on a Canadian jersey or all-star jersey, playing the U.S., it’s always a battle,” Agosta said. “Everyone going on Team Canada was at the last Olympics. I’ve played with these girls.”
The 3-on-3 format is not something often seen in women’s hockey and Agosta knows it will be a challenge.
“It’s definitely going to be an experience,” Agosta said. “I haven’t played 3-on-3 in a while.
“A lot of ice and you have to know where your players are. It’ll be a lot faster, because there is so much space, but I love being challenged and this is another.”
Along with the exposure for women’s hockey, the event will help the 32-year-old Agosta prepare as she makes a push for a fifth Olympic Games with Canada in 2022 in China.
“There’s no women’s league here (in Vancouver),” Agosta said. “So, it’s tough going to work, working full time, but trying to balance a family, trying to train on and off the ice.
“It isn’t easy and it’s the biggest challenge I’ve ever had, but I believe in myself and that I’m still good enough to play. I just need that chance.”
Agosta is also headed back to Leamington this summer to run her hockey school for boys and girls from July 27-31. Information is available at meghanagosta.ca.
“I’ve been fortunate through my life and I’ve had opportunities and I’m and proud of who I am and where I came from,” Agosta said. “If I wasn’t for my parents, my family and my community, I wouldn’t be able to fulfil that goal of playing for Canada.”
It’ll be a battle every time you put on a Canadian jersey or all-star jersey, playing the U.S., it’s always a battle.