Sophomore defensive star Carla McLeod definitely stands out on Wisconsin's women's hockey team. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Carla first started playing hockey at the age of four.
\I had a passion for the game from the get-go, and have played ever since,"" McLeod said.
Where hockey is viewed as life, Canada served as the perfect backdrop for McLeod to hone her skills. However, it was not easy. Growing up a girl in a society where mostly boys played hockey forced McLeod to elevate her game so she could compete with the guys. As difficult as this may sound McLeod had relatively no problem adjusting.
""It's not as easy being a female playing hockey in [America] as it is in Canada,"" McLeod said. ""I played eight years with the boys, and honestly did not have any real problems. You just go out and play.""
McLeod is definitely not just another player. A top player in the Canadian hockey system, McLeod has continued that excellence here at Wisconsin; McLeod skates up the ice with confidence and handles the puck with ease.
However, it is the intangibles that separate McLeod from the rest of the skaters.
""Her biggest asset is that she's got a real good hockey sense. She understands the game and brings her wealth and knowledge in that area,"" Head Coach Mark Johnson said.
Besides this keen hockey sense, McLeod brings a quiet leadership to the team. McLeod brings other elements to the team off the ice as senior defense Kerry Weiland explains.
""[Carla] always has something funny to say, it makes everything light,"" Weiland said. ""If it's a tough situation or you're nervous she always makes you laugh, always makes you smile,"" sPaid Weiland.
McLeod knows about tension as she competed against the best in the world this past summer as a member of Canada's Under-22 National Team. This was quite a feat as the skilled McLeod dressed herself with her Canadian colors red and white. The greatest sense of Canadian pride, though, was when McLeod played against theUnited States at this international level.
""Canada-United States have such a great rivalry, it's so much fun. It really was a great time,"" McLeod said.
The ever improving McLeod has already made an impact and met her goal of playing the sport she loves. Her true goal still remains. ""To play on the national team for a World Championship, or the Olympic team, that is just the ultimate,"" McLeod said.
Even if not an Olympian yet, McLeod is thrilled just to be able to play the sport she enjoys on a consistent basis. ""Hockey is just fun, and that's what I love about it!,"" McLeod said.
