Tri-City Americans

She used to play for the Americans. Now she’s the top goaltender at the Winter Olympics

By Annie Fowler
Canadian goalie Shannon Szabados stares at a flying puck during the second period of Thursday’s gold medal game against the United States at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea.
Canadian goalie Shannon Szabados stares at a flying puck during the second period of Thursday’s gold medal game against the United States at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea. Matt Slocum AP

Shannon Szabados is standing at the pinnacle of women’s hockey. The Team Canada standout was named the Olympics’ top goalie after leading her team to a silver-medal finish.

But an early chapter of her story was written right here in the Tri-Cities.

As a teenager, Szabados attended two Tri-City Americans training camps and in 2002, at just 16 years old, became the first woman to play in the Western Hockey League.

At 16, Shannon Szabados received an invitation to the Tri-City Americans camp and played well enough to make the opening day roster.
At 16, Shannon Szabados received an invitation to the Tri-City Americans camp and played well enough to make the opening day roster. Courtesy of the Tri-City Americans

Now 31, Szabados played three games at the Olympics for Canada, including the gold-medal game against the United States.

Monique Lamoreux-Davidson slid the puck under Szabados’ glove for the Americans’ deciding shootout goal, and a 3-2 win.

In that final game, Szabados stopped 40 of 42 shots, including nine in overtime to keep the Canadians in the game.

Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson of the United States, scores the game-winning goal against Canadian goalie Shannon Szabados in the penalty shootout during Thursday’s gold medal game at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea.
Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson of the United States, scores the game-winning goal against Canadian goalie Shannon Szabados in the penalty shootout during Thursday’s gold medal game at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea. Bruce Bennett AP

After the game, Szabados earned the IIHF Directorate Award as the tournament’s top goaltender, and earned praise from Canadian coach Laura Schuler.

“She really helped control the game,” Schuler told the Canadian Press. “Obviously it was a back and forth hockey game and when the pressure was put on us in the defensive zone, she really helped control the play. Her rebound control was excellent and really helped alleviate some of the pressure we were facing. She has such a calm demeanour about her, and she helped settle our team down.”

Szabados previously had backed Canada to gold medals in the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, and in 2014 in Sochi.

Shannon Szabados takes a turn in goal during a practice session for the Tri City Americans in 2002. The 16- year- old is from Edmonton, Alberta.
Shannon Szabados takes a turn in goal during a practice session for the Tri City Americans in 2002. The 16- year- old is from Edmonton, Alberta. Richard Dickin Tri-City Herald file

After battling injuries leading up to this year’s Games, she hasn’t said if this was her final Olympic appearance. She’s played most of her career on men’s teams, including stints in the Southern Professional Hockey League with the Columbus Cottonmouths and the Peoria Rivermen.

This story was originally published February 23, 2018 at 8:41 PM with the headline "She used to play for the Americans. Now she’s the top goaltender at the Winter Olympics."

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