The transition from high school to university athletics can be challenging for any first-year student-athlete. Brought to you in partnership with Outcast Upcycled Nutrition, we’re featuring first-year athletes from each of our seven varsity sports each month this season. This month we take a closer look at women’s hockey player Maggie Baxter and her path to the AUS!
Baxter is from Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia and is majoring in neuroscience.
How long have you played hockey?
Since I was five, so about 15 years.
Have you always played the same position?
I started off as a skater but switched to goalie in my second year of hockey when I was six.
What other sports did you play growing up?
I played a lot of school sports like soccer, basketball, and volleyball growing up, but softball was the only other sport I stuck with throughout high school.
Why do you love hockey?
I love the fast pace and intensity of hockey, but above that I love that it gives me an escape when life gets stressful. I also love the bond within a team and the lifelong friends that it has given me.
Who is somebody in sport you admired growing up and why?
Growing up I have always really admired Shannon Szabados. I played boy’s hockey until I was 14 so Szabados being a female goalie playing professional men’s hockey instantly made her one of my biggest idols. She represented Canada multiple times at the Olympics and played professionally in men’s and women’s leagues and is someone I’ve always aspired to play like.
What is the most memorable moment of your career so far?
My most memorable moment so far was probably travelling to Europe with my high school Prep team. It was a super fun trip and it felt so surreal. It was a point in my career where I remember realizing and truly appreciating how many opportunities thockey has given me that I would have never otherwise had.
What made you choose Dalhousie University?
Dalhousie has an amazing academic reputation and offers a ton of program options that interested me. After being away for a year I could not wait to be back in Nova Scotia and being in Halifax was the perfect opportunity for me to be living somewhere new and exciting while still being close to home. I knew a few of my teammates before coming and heard great things about their experiences being a part of the hockey team, so I could not wait to get started.
What are some differences you’ve noticed being a part of a DAL team compared to previous teams?
The Dal team right now is definitely the biggest team I’ve been on but somehow it doesn’t feel that way as the team is super supportive and positive. On previous teams I have felt like the team was competing within itself nearly as much as with other teams, whereas here, the team culture is very open and supportive.
How have you enjoyed your time with the team so far?
I have loved being a part of the team so far. I’ve never enjoyed practicing as much as I do at Dal because of how much fun the team environment is. I’ve felt super welcomed, and I live with four of my teammates so I am fortunate enough to spend the majority of my time off the ice with them as well. Being a part of the team has made my experience at Dal far better than I could’ve hoped.
How have you enjoyed classes/the university so far?
With online classes I haven’t really gotten to experience much of the university in person, but I am really enjoying my classes and my program overall.
What are some of your interests outside of sports?
Outside of sports I like being outdoors and spending time with friends.
Fast Fact Questions
Favourite food? Mashed potatoes
Favourite movie? Pitch Perfect
Must have warm-up song or current favourite song? Pure Water – Mustard & Migos
Favourite professional athlete or team? Montréal Canadiens
What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to work in the medical field, but I’m not sure exactly what I want to be yet.
Any pre-game superstitions/routines? Not really, I do the same warm-up routine before games but nothing superstitious.