University career over, and maybe hockey too

Despite a considerably increased workload, Caitlyn Lahonen has certainly been shining in her fifth and final season of eligibility in the university women’s hockey ranks.

Lahonen, who is Metis, is a goaltender with the Queen’s University Gaels women’s squad. She entered the 2015-16 campaign as one of three netminders on the roster of the club, based in Kingston, Ont.

Gaels’ head coach Matt Holmberg was originally counting on Lahonen to play in slightly more than half of the team’s games this season. But because another goalie suffered a concussion at the start of the season, which has kept her out of the lineup since, Lahonen was given additional starts.

Heading into Queen’s final two regular season matches, Lahonen had appeared in all 22 of the Gaels’ matches, starting 21 of them.

“Caitlyn has certainly been getting more games than I thought she would,” Holmberg said. “But she has played really well and has arguably been our MVP this year.”

Lahonen, a chemical engineering student, had a 13-8-0 record. Her goals-against average of 1.44 was second best in the 13-team Ontario University Athletics.

Her save percentage of .949 was equally as impressive and also the second best in the OUA.

Lahonen has welcomed all the ice time she has been given.

“No, not at all,” she said, when asked if any fatigue was setting in. “I’ve managed it pretty well. And I feel rather energized.”

The Gaels usually play two games per week. The club also averages three practices per week. The Queen’s puckstoppers also have one extra training sessions each week with a goalie coach.

And when she is able to fit it into her schedule, Lahonen also books some additional time with the goalie coach on her own.

Lahonen is hoping the Gaels have a lengthy and successful playoff run.

“I would like to win a national championship,” she said. “That would be a great way to end my university career.”

In order to advance to the Canadian tournament, the Gaels need to qualify for the OUA championship final. Regardless of who wins the Ontario crown, both OUA finalists will then move on to the nationals, scheduled for March 17 to March 20 in Calgary.

Though she is in her final year of university eligibility, this marks the third season that Lahonen has played at Queen’s.

She spent her first two years toiling in the NCAA ranks with New York-based St. Lawrence University.

“I guess you could say it’s very competitive,” Lahonen said of her time spent in the NCAA. “I’m a competitive person, 100 per cent. But they put a large emphasis on the sport. They didn’t allow you to focus on anything else like school.

“It was just hockey, hockey, hockey and you were always on the road. It took the fun out of the game for me.”

After transferring to Queen’s, Lahonen had to sit out for one full season before she was eligible to suit up for the Gaels.

Lahonen, who will be graduating this spring, said she has thoroughly enjoyed her time at Queen’s. Besides playing hockey she’s also has been content with her academics. And she’s also had an opportunity to have more of a social life than she did in her first couple of university seasons.

Lahonen though is not quite sure what lies ahead for her, in terms of hockey, following her Queen’s career.

She has accepted a job in Saskatoon, which is scheduled to begin on April 1. She will be writing her final exams early in order to begin her job on time.

Lahonen will work as a process engineer in training for Potash Corp.

“I don’t know what will happen (with hockey),” she said. “I’d like to play more. The only opportunity might be to play rec hockey or to play with the guys at work.”

Like he does with all of his graduating players, Holmberg asked Lahonen if she’d be interested to go into a pool of players eligible to get drafted by a team in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CHWL).

This league features five entrants this year. Teams are based in Calgary, Toronto, Brampton, Montreal and Boston.

Lahonen said she would only consider playing in the league if she were to be drafted by the Calgary squad. But even if that happens, work would be her priority and might put a kibosh on her hockey.

“The job market is really tough,” she said. “Since I’ve got a job lined up I would like to keep my foot in that door.”