Shannon Szabados
Encyclopedia
Shannon Szabados (born August 6, 1986 in Edmonton
, Alberta
) is an ice hockey
goaltender for the Canadian national hockey team. She also plays for the men's hockey team at Grant MacEwan University in Alberta
. Szabados has been the first female player at several different tournaments and in several leagues, both during minor and junior hockey. While playing junior hockey, Szabados became the first female to play in the Western Hockey League
(WHL) where she played exhibition games for the Tri-City Americans
. Szabados was also the first female to play in the Alberta Junior Hockey League
(AJHL), and recorded a shutout
in her first game. After the 2006–07 season, Szabados was named the AJHL's Top Goaltender. In international play, Szabados played for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics
. She was in goal during Canada's gold medal win over the United States
. After the tournament, she was named Top Goaltender and was selected to the Tournament All-Star Team.
. In 2001, at the age of 15, she was the first female to play in the Calgary Mac’s AAA midget hockey tournament, suiting up for the Edmonton Maple Leafs. Among the competition at the Mac's tournament when Szabados played were the Shattuck-St. Mary's Sabres led by Zach Parise
.
(WHL). Szabados played in four exhibition games for the Tri-City Americans
. During her time in the Americans' training camp, Szabados split an exhibition game with current Montreal Canadiens
netminder Carey Price
. Szabados recalls, "...he let in four goals in the half he played; I let in two and one in overtime." When she was released from Tri-City, Szabados returned to Alberta to play in the Alberta Junior Hockey League
(AJHL), after a vote among the league's general managers regarding female players.
In her first game with the AJHL's Sherwood Park Crusaders
on October 2, 2002, Szabados recorded a shutout
in addition to winning the game. During her AJHL career, Szabados spent time with the Crusaders as well as the Bonnyville Pontiacs
and the Fort Saskatchewan Traders
. While playing for Sherwood Park, Szabados played in the AJHL All-Star game, and was named co-MVP of the 2004–05 game. After the season, she was named co-MVP of the Sherwood Park club as well. During the 2006–07 season, Szabados led the Traders to the top record in the AJHL and came within a game of winning the AJHL championship against the Camrose Kodiaks
. She was named to the AJHL North Division All-Star Team for the 2007 All-Star Weekend. Szabados was the recipient of the Friends of Alberta Junior Hockey League Trophy as the AJHL's Top Goaltender after the 2006–07 season, becoming the first female recipient of the award. She was also named MVP of the Fort Saskatchewan club.
(NCAA), which is a common path for female hockey players. Instead, Szabados played for the men's team at Grant MacEwan University in Alberta
. Szabados spent two full seasons playing with Grant MacEwan (2007–08 and 2008–09) before leaving to join Hockey Canada
's program as they assembled the Olympic team. During the 2007–08 season, Szabados helped Grant MacEwan to a silver medal at the 2008 Alberta College Athletic Conference (ACAC). She is returning to the Griffins for the 2010–11 season.
, held in Kitchener, Ontario
. In the opening game of the tournament, Szabados recorded a 3-0 shutout against the United States. Szabados also made her debut with Canada's Under-22 women's team in 2006. She won three straight gold medals at the Air Canada Cup between 2006 and 2008.
Szabados served as an alternate for Team Canada at the 2008 IIHF World Women's Championships
, and was named to the roster in 2009
, but did not play. In 2009, Szabados represented Canada at the 4 Nations Cup
, where she played in the gold medal game and recorded a 5-1 victory over the United States.
Szabados was expected to be Canada's third goalie heading into the 2010 Winter Olympics
, behind veterans Kim St. Pierre and Charline Labonté
. In pre-tournament play, including a series of games against midget boys teams from Alberta, Szabados posted the best numbers of the three. Her record against the midget boys was 10-1, with a 1.99 goals against average and .936 save percentage. She also posted three wins against the American women's team leading up to the Olympics, including the 4 Nations Cup.
She was a member of the 2009–10 Hockey Canada national women's team
which won the gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics
and earned two shutouts, including the final game against the United States women's national ice hockey team. She was selected to the tournament all-star team at the Olympics, and was named top goaltender.
to consider signing Szabados when goaltender Devan Dubnyk
came down with the flu prior to a game against the Vancouver Canucks
, leaving the Oilers with only one goaltender and in need of an emergency backup. Instead, Calgary Dinos
goaltender Nathan Deobald was signed to an amateur tryout contract, prompting journalists such as the Edmonton Sun
's Terry Jones to criticize the last overall club's move.
at Grant MacEwen University. Szabados was on the cover of Hello!
Canada in March 2010.
She is of Hungarian descent; her last name, Szabados, is an old Hungarian status term meaning "liberated", as it referred to a person freed from serfdom. Szabados was teammates and friends with Canadian sledge hockey player Matt Cook
during her time in the AJHL. At the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Szabados had "FLM" on her goalie mask, for "Fight like Matt" in Cook's honour.
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
) is an ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltender for the Canadian national hockey team. She also plays for the men's hockey team at Grant MacEwan University in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
. Szabados has been the first female player at several different tournaments and in several leagues, both during minor and junior hockey. While playing junior hockey, Szabados became the first female to play in the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
(WHL) where she played exhibition games for the Tri-City Americans
Tri-City Americans
The Tri-City Americans are a major junior ice hockey team of the Western Hockey League, based in Kennewick, Washington. The team plays its home games at the Toyota Center...
. Szabados was also the first female to play in the Alberta Junior Hockey League
Alberta Junior Hockey League
The Alberta Junior Hockey League is an Alberta-based Junior A hockey league that belongs to the Canadian Junior Hockey League . It was formed as a five-team league in 1964. There are currently 16 teams in the league. The regular season league champions receive the Dave Duchak Trophy...
(AJHL), and recorded a shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
in her first game. After the 2006–07 season, Szabados was named the AJHL's Top Goaltender. In international play, Szabados played for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
. She was in goal during Canada's gold medal win over the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. After the tournament, she was named Top Goaltender and was selected to the Tournament All-Star Team.
Minor
At nine years old, Szabados became the first girl to play in the Brick Super Novice Tournament held at the West Edmonton MallWest Edmonton Mall
West Edmonton Mall , located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is the largest shopping mall in North America and the fifth largest in the world. The mall was founded by the Ghermezian brothers, who emigrated from Iran in 1959. It was the world's largest mall until 2004.West Edmonton Mall covers a gross...
. In 2001, at the age of 15, she was the first female to play in the Calgary Mac’s AAA midget hockey tournament, suiting up for the Edmonton Maple Leafs. Among the competition at the Mac's tournament when Szabados played were the Shattuck-St. Mary's Sabres led by Zach Parise
Zach Parise
Zachary Justin Parise is an American professional ice hockey left winger of French-Canadian origin and captain of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League . Parise's father, J. P...
.
Junior
In 2002, at the age of 16, she became the first female to play in the Western Hockey LeagueWestern Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
(WHL). Szabados played in four exhibition games for the Tri-City Americans
Tri-City Americans
The Tri-City Americans are a major junior ice hockey team of the Western Hockey League, based in Kennewick, Washington. The team plays its home games at the Toyota Center...
. During her time in the Americans' training camp, Szabados split an exhibition game with current Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
netminder Carey Price
Carey Price
Carey Price is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . Price was the Canadiens' first round selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft...
. Szabados recalls, "...he let in four goals in the half he played; I let in two and one in overtime." When she was released from Tri-City, Szabados returned to Alberta to play in the Alberta Junior Hockey League
Alberta Junior Hockey League
The Alberta Junior Hockey League is an Alberta-based Junior A hockey league that belongs to the Canadian Junior Hockey League . It was formed as a five-team league in 1964. There are currently 16 teams in the league. The regular season league champions receive the Dave Duchak Trophy...
(AJHL), after a vote among the league's general managers regarding female players.
In her first game with the AJHL's Sherwood Park Crusaders
Sherwood Park Crusaders
The Sherwood Park Crusaders are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada, at the Sherwood Park Arena, capacity 1800....
on October 2, 2002, Szabados recorded a shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
in addition to winning the game. During her AJHL career, Szabados spent time with the Crusaders as well as the Bonnyville Pontiacs
Bonnyville Pontiacs
The Bonnyville Pontiacs are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Bonnyville, Alberta, Canada at the R. J. Lalonde Arena, capacity 2700....
and the Fort Saskatchewan Traders
Fort Saskatchewan Traders
The Fort Saskatchewan Traders were an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They played in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada at the Jubilee Recreation Centre, capacity 2000....
. While playing for Sherwood Park, Szabados played in the AJHL All-Star game, and was named co-MVP of the 2004–05 game. After the season, she was named co-MVP of the Sherwood Park club as well. During the 2006–07 season, Szabados led the Traders to the top record in the AJHL and came within a game of winning the AJHL championship against the Camrose Kodiaks
Camrose Kodiaks
The Camrose Kodiaks are a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Camrose, Alberta, Canada at the Edgeworth Centre's Encana Arena, capacity 2500+....
. She was named to the AJHL North Division All-Star Team for the 2007 All-Star Weekend. Szabados was the recipient of the Friends of Alberta Junior Hockey League Trophy as the AJHL's Top Goaltender after the 2006–07 season, becoming the first female recipient of the award. She was also named MVP of the Fort Saskatchewan club.
Collegiate
Because Szabados spent time in a WHL training camp, she was ineligible to play in the National Collegiate Athletic AssociationNational Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA), which is a common path for female hockey players. Instead, Szabados played for the men's team at Grant MacEwan University in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
. Szabados spent two full seasons playing with Grant MacEwan (2007–08 and 2008–09) before leaving to join Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada, formally known as the Canadian Hockey Association, is the national governing body of ice hockey in Canada and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Hockey Canada controls a vast majority of ice hockey in Canada, with a few exceptions...
's program as they assembled the Olympic team. During the 2007–08 season, Szabados helped Grant MacEwan to a silver medal at the 2008 Alberta College Athletic Conference (ACAC). She is returning to the Griffins for the 2010–11 season.
International
Szabados has represented Canada internationally at the Under-22 and Senior levels. she made her Team Canada debut in 2006, helping Canada to a gold medal at the 2006 4 Nations Cup2006 4 Nations Cup
The 2006 4 Nations Cup, an annual women's ice hockey tournament, was held at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, and took place from 7 to 11 November 2006.-Results:7 November 20068 November 200610 November 2006...
, held in Kitchener, Ontario
Kitchener, Ontario
The City of Kitchener is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It was the Town of Berlin from 1854 until 1912 and the City of Berlin from 1912 until 1916. The city had a population of 204,668 in the Canada 2006 Census...
. In the opening game of the tournament, Szabados recorded a 3-0 shutout against the United States. Szabados also made her debut with Canada's Under-22 women's team in 2006. She won three straight gold medals at the Air Canada Cup between 2006 and 2008.
Szabados served as an alternate for Team Canada at the 2008 IIHF World Women's Championships
2008 Women's World Ice Hockey Championships
The 2008 Women's World Ice Hockey Championships were held from April 4 to April 13, 2008, in Harbin, People's Republic of China.It was the 11th event, and was run by the International Ice Hockey Federation ....
, and was named to the roster in 2009
2009 Women's World Ice Hockey Championships
-Group B:All times are local .-Group C:All times are local .-Group D :All times are local . and advance to the final...
, but did not play. In 2009, Szabados represented Canada at the 4 Nations Cup
2009 4 Nations Cup
The 2009 4 Nations Cup was the 14th playing of the annual women's ice hockey tournament. It was held in cities around Finland, from November 3-7, 2009.-Results:-Final Table:-Final:-3rd place:-External links:* on hockeyarchives.info...
, where she played in the gold medal game and recorded a 5-1 victory over the United States.
Szabados was expected to be Canada's third goalie heading into the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
, behind veterans Kim St. Pierre and Charline Labonté
Charline Labonté
Charline Labonté is a women's ice hockey player. Labonté now lives in Montreal, and is studying Physical Education at McGill University.-Playing career:...
. In pre-tournament play, including a series of games against midget boys teams from Alberta, Szabados posted the best numbers of the three. Her record against the midget boys was 10-1, with a 1.99 goals against average and .936 save percentage. She also posted three wins against the American women's team leading up to the Olympics, including the 4 Nations Cup.
She was a member of the 2009–10 Hockey Canada national women's team
2009–10 Hockey Canada national women's team
The 2009–10 women's national hockey team will represent Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Prior to the games, the national team will participate in various tournaments during the 2009–10 season. The team will attempt to win the gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics...
which won the gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
and earned two shutouts, including the final game against the United States women's national ice hockey team. She was selected to the tournament all-star team at the Olympics, and was named top goaltender.
Other
In March 2010, there was a movement by some in the Edmonton media for the Edmonton OilersEdmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
to consider signing Szabados when goaltender Devan Dubnyk
Devan Dubnyk
Devan Dubnyk is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the Oilers in the first round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft....
came down with the flu prior to a game against the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
, leaving the Oilers with only one goaltender and in need of an emergency backup. Instead, Calgary Dinos
Calgary Dinos
The Calgary Dinos football team has won the Vanier Cup national championship four times, the most out of any of the Canada West teams and most recently in 1995. The Dinos also won in 1983, 1985 and 1988. The team most recently appeared in the 2010 Vanier Cup, but lost to the Laval Rouge et Or...
goaltender Nathan Deobald was signed to an amateur tryout contract, prompting journalists such as the Edmonton Sun
Edmonton Sun
The Edmonton Sun is a daily newspaper published in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is a division of Sun Media, a Quebecor company.It began publishing in 1978 and shares many characteristics typical of Sun Media tabloids, including an emphasis on local news stories, its conservative editorial stance,...
's Terry Jones to criticize the last overall club's move.
Personal
Her parents names are Gary and Sharyl, and she has one brother named Matthew. She is majoring in physical educationPhysical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
at Grant MacEwen University. Szabados was on the cover of Hello!
Hello!
Hello is a weekly magazine specializing in celebrity news and human-interest stories, published in the United Kingdom since 1988. Hello is sister magazine to ¡Hola!, the Spanish weekly magazine launched in Spain in 1944...
Canada in March 2010.
She is of Hungarian descent; her last name, Szabados, is an old Hungarian status term meaning "liberated", as it referred to a person freed from serfdom. Szabados was teammates and friends with Canadian sledge hockey player Matt Cook
Matt Cook (ice sledge hockey)
Matthew Cook was a Canadian ice sledge hockey player.Before the age of 18, Cook played Junior A for the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He had his leg amputated below the knee in 2006, at the age of 18, after unsuccessful chemotherapy when doctors discovered cancer on his...
during her time in the AJHL. At the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Szabados had "FLM" on her goalie mask, for "Fight like Matt" in Cook's honour.
Awards and honours
- Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Media All-Star Team
- Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Directorate Award, Best Goaltender
External links
- Shannon Szabados' profile at ajhl.ca.