EDMONTON – Two-time Olympic gold medallist and goalie for Team Canada’s women’s hockey team, Shannon Szabados has gone pro.
The Edmontonian, and former WHL and NAIT Ooks goaltender, got a professional gig with the Columbus Cottonmouths of the Southern Professional Hockey League.
The SPHL is a ten-team minor league situated in the southern and midwestern United States.
On Wednesday, the 27-year-old took the ice to practice with the Edmonton Oilers.
“The Oilers welcomed me with open arms,” she said after practice, “just another player on the ice with a little longer hair than the rest of them.”
Coach Dallas Eakins called her Tuesday night and asked if she had her gear and would like to join practice the following morning.
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“As a hockey player, and as a female hockey player, you just want to be seen as a hockey player and as a goalie, and that’s what I felt like today.”
At 16, Szabados became the first female to play in the Western Hockey League (WHL).
She was also the first female player to participate in The Brick Super Novice Tournament when she was nine.
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