She shoots and she scores

St. F.X. hockey star Maggy Burbidge at the top of her game

St. Francis Xavier student Maggy Burbidge was recently named the university’s Female Athlete of the Week for the second time this year after scoring four points in a pair of weekend games for the Xwomen hockey squad.

As of press time for this newspaper, not only did the accomplishment come as she continued her streak leading the league in points, it was handed down as Burbidge held the top spot for goals in the AUS and across the country.

“I think it’s awesome,” says the Falmouth native about being named the St. F.X. Athlete of the Week for a second time.

“Personally, I take it more as recognition of our team and how hard we work as a group and it just kind of shows our success on the ice. Obviously, I wouldn’t be able to get this type of award without my teammates.”

As humble as Burbidge is, the 21-year-old forward’s talent in the sport cannot be denied. Although she is playing her second season for the X-women hockey team, she came to the university after gaining two years experience at the NCAA level in Pittsburgh at Robert Morris University.

“Our program got cut and that’s when I made the transfer to St. F.X.,” she explains. “So technically I’m actually in my fourth year but when I transferred, I lost credits so I’m only in my third year right now.”

Her passion for the sport began when she was just four years old, Burbidge says. Growing up in a family where her parents played hockey, she admits she was practically born into the game.

“I always loved it,” claims Burbidge, adding her younger brother Cole currently plays for the Saint John Seadogs in the CHL.

“It’s obviously my passion and I’m grateful that my parents played it and I think that no matter if it was hockey or it was another sport, they definitely influenced how hard I work as a player, and as a person too.”

Part of her work ethic may be borrowed from her favourite player: Sidney Crosby, the Cole Harbour native whose sacrifice and willingness to put in extra effort helped lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to three Stanley Cup championships in the National Hockey League.

Undoubtedly, there is some natural talent that comes with the hard work. But like Crosby, Burbidge also displays that organic talent as well — not that she would admit it.

“I pride myself on being a really hard-working player and I like to put myself in positions to get those types of goals and to reward myself with those types of goals,” says v. “And obviously, it comes from playing with really great players as well.”

While Burbidge is happy to be recognized for her individual effort, she insists she is less concerned with awards and more interested in simply leading her team to an AUS title and rewarding Antigonish fans with a championship for their continued support throughout the season.

“It’s such a tight knit community that when we have games, we know that we are going to have fans that are going to turn out — locals (that) just really want the school and the programs to do well,” says Burbidge. “I think that is just such an amazing thing to be part of.”