When fourth-year Hockey Mountie Maddy Koughan chose to attend Mount Allison and play for the Mounties, she actually moved closer to home. The Mermaid, PE native spent two years at the Canadian International Hockey Academy in Rockland, ON before arriving in Sackville.

“Being from a small town on PEI, it reminded me more of home,” she says. “Hockey played a big part in my decision, but also being the top undergraduate school in Canada was a big factor.”

Koughan began playing hockey when she was 8. She grew up playing house league hockey, then AA/A with the Pownal Red Devils. She participated in the Program of Excellence and attended the Atlantic Challenge Cup in Moncton in preparation to play for PEI in the Canada Games, where she was noticed by then Mounties head coach Zach Ball.

“I just like to get away when I’m on the ice,” she says. “I can just throw on my skates, clear my mind, and hang out with friends.”

Koughan is having her best year yet with the Mounties, leading the team in scoring with nine goals and six assists. Her most memorable moment this year was scoring the game winning goal in double overtime in the team’s first game against UNB.

“I am feeling really good about this season,” she says.

A multi-sport athlete, Koughan grew up also playing field hockey, rugby, track and field, and softball. She says being a student-athlete has prepared her well for life.

“You have to balance deadlines and hockey, which helps me manage my time,” she says. “But it also helps me stay active and keeps me healthy both mentally and physically.”

She also takes time out of her busy schedule to spend with her dog, Caper.

A psychology student, she is looking at pursuing a career with the military police or with the RCMP as a dog handler.