Emmalie Thompson has returned to the ice with the Assiniboine Community College Cougars women's hockey team, and they're having an absolutely stellar season so far!
Competing in the American Collegiate Hockey Association's women's division two, the Cougars have triumphed in all 12 of their games. Over these matches, Thompson and her teammates have allowed a mere five goals while scoring an impressive 80. Their defense, with only five goals against, is the best in the country, and their 80 goals scored rank near the top nationally.
Emmalie, who secured a national title with ACC two seasons ago, is truly living her dream.
Describing the current team, Thompson exclaims,
"This year's team is incredibly well-rounded; every line is strong and productive. We're not just teammates; we're great friends who love being around each other. The chemistry is fantastic."
A proud native of Ste. Rose, Emmalie highlights the joy of traveling around the United States as one of the perks of being a Cougar. ACC stands out as the only Canadian club in the independent division and, in fact, the only Canadian club across all 10 divisions.
As the team excels, so does Emmalie individually. The third-year forward leads her team with an impressive 23 points in just 12 games, averaging 1.92 points per game. Thompson has netted eight goals and provided 15 assists.
Even when considering division one clubs, Emmalie is tied for 21st in league scoring. Humble about her success, she attributes much of the credit to her teammates, noting,
"I work as hard as I possibly can for my team. A lot of the credit has to go to my teammates. They have finished off 15 of my passes, so that's important. I'm very pleased with how I am playing, and I have some incredible teammates around me."
Emmalie's outstanding performance has earned her the title of Cougar of the Month at ACC, joining Kylee Peake as the second Parkland star to win the award in December for stellar play in volleyball.
Reflecting on the recognition, Thompson shares,
"It's very nice to be recognized; there are a ton of great athletes here at ACC. So to be noticed is pretty great, it's a special feeling. It's also pretty cool for me to be able to say that I'm an athlete of the month."
As the Christmas break approaches, Emmalie looks forward to returning to the ice for two home games on January 13 and 14, where the Cougars will host the Lake Region State College team at J&G Homes Arena in Brandon.
