Feature Story
Eagan’s Alyssa Grogan named Senior Goalie of the
Year
By Adara Bonnell
Let’s Play Hockey
Alyssa Grogan realized her enjoyment of hockey after
taking practice shots from her brother as a child. Once she convinced her
parents that she wanted to play, Grogan took the ice herself, and not just as a
player, but as a goalie.
“I grew up watching my brother play,” Grogan said. “That’s
how I became interested. My brother is one of my biggest influences.”
By eighth grade, she was already playing on the Eagan
Girl’s Varsity team. That year, the Wildcats made it to the state tournament,
one of her biggest accomplishments thus far.
As the only remaining player from the 2004 team, Grogan
had a strong desire to make it to State just one more time.
“I played in State in eighth grade and it’s been our goal
to get back there.”
This year
Since starting her high school career, Grogan has had many
accomplishments, including being named all-conference four times and all-state
honorable mention twice. To top it off, she has participated in the National
Development Program three times.
Her most recent accomplishment was being selected to play
on the U.S. Under-18 National Team. Taking two weeks off from school, Grogan
and her team won the gold medal in the inaugural 2008 International Ice Hockey
Federation World Women’s Under-18 Championship.
While there, she also received the Directorate Award as the best goalie
of the tournament.
Now she has one more accomplishment to add to that list.
Today, Grogan was named the Let’s Play Hockey Senior Goalie of the Year.
Votes for this award are collected from Division I and
When asked, prior to being honored, how she would feel
being presented with the award, Grogan responded, “It would be an honor. It
would mean my hard work paid off.”
And it was hard work indeed.
This season alone, Grogan has compiled a
In her junior season, Grogan held a 1.30 goals
against average and a .937 save percentage when she allowed just 17 goals.
Grogan was named
In addition to her focus on hockey, she has participated
in numerous hours of community service each trimester and is a member of the
National Honor Society. Her
accomplishments on and off the ice have impressed her coach, Scott Darwitz.
“Alyssa has been a phenom in
goal for the Wildcats over the past five seasons,” Darwitz
said. “She is an extremely hard worker who takes great pride in performing at a
high level on a daily basis. Alyssa plays a huge leadership role on our team
and the players in front of her respond to the strong example that she
sets.”
In addition to her hockey skills, Grogan has impressed her
coach off the ice, as well.
“Alyssa is a genuinely good person that works in the
community and is well respected,” Darwitz said.
This fall, Grogan will attend the
Even after receiving offers from other schools, Grogan
continued to hold out, waiting to see if she would have an opportunity with the
U of M. Once she received the offer, there was no doubt where she wanted to
go.
“When it happened, there was no question,” Grogan said.
“It has always been my dream school. I wanted to be close to home and it is
important for my family to watch me.
“I grew up watching the Gophers and being a huge fan.
Being a
While attending the
“I want to make a difference,” Grogan said.
Grogan will be honored, along with the top five finalists
for Ms. Hockey 2008, at the Ms. Hockey Banquet this Sunday at
Let’s Play Hockey
Senior Goalie of the Year Winners
2008
Alli Altmann,
Kate Gallagher, Blake
Alyssa Grogan,
Danielle Justice,
Morgan Pieper, Warroad
2007
Renee Brasuhn,
Irondale
Kristen Elliott,
Ashley Nixon, Blaine
Paige Thunder, Cloquet/Esko/Carlton
2006
Lauren Bradel,
Mickey Jobman,
Cretin-Derham Hall
Alannah McCready,
Centennial
Breanna Scavo,
Sarah Windhorst,
Benilde-St. Margaret’s
2005
Lauren Clement, Chaska
Johanna Ellison, Cloquet/Esko/Carlton
Kim Hanlon, Blaine
Lindsay Savat,
Beth Spurrier,
Wayzata
2004
Jill Arendt,
Wayzata
Emily Brookshaw,
Hill-Murray
Casey Preston,
Christine Seiler, Lakeville
Millisa Smith,
2003
Laura Brennan,
Robin Doepke,
Chaska
Mandy Hanson, Brainerd
Amber Lindner,
Kristin Setterstrom,
2002
Ali Boe,
Amber Hasbargen,
Warroad
Becky Kilpatrick,
Rachael Young,
Laura Zuelke,
Chaska
2001
Jody Horak,
Blaine
Amy Jones,
Annie Kautzer,
Totino-Grace
Natalie Lamme,
Kerry Rollwagen,
2000
Erin Bray, Cretin-Derham
Hall
Ellen Brinkman,
Dana Hergert,
Ashley Parker,
1999
Sarah Ahlquist,
Katie Beauduy,
Blaine
Bre Dedrickson,
Sonya Sandahl,
Jodi Winters,
Winner in italics