From UMD women’s hockey to the pros, Maggie Flaherty talks jump to Whitecaps

Alicia Tipcke WDIO

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The hockey pipeline from the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) women’s hockey team to the pro level is alive and well. Last week the Minnesota Whitecaps announced the signing of former Bulldog defender Maggie Flaherty.

There she’ll join the likes of fellow former UMD greats like Anna Klein, Sidney Morin, and Ashleigh Brykaliuk.

“UMD coaches really do put you in a place to be successful. There might be some tough love in there, but you can learn from your failures and that just makes you a better person. Mentally and physically honestly,” said Flaherty.

As a fifth-year senior at UMD, Flaherty was part of the NCAA women’s tournament expansion and is excited to continue to be a part of the sport’s growth in the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF), which now has seven teams.

“To be a part of history like that, some people may think it’s small but it’s a huge thing for women’s sports. Even the salary cap going up from last year to this year, like that is a huge step and I think women’s hockey and its growth is only going upwards and that’s just amazing to see.”

Maggie Flaherty scored 76 points as a member of the UMD women's hockey team, and she'll be looking to add some more goals for PWHL Minnesota.

For Flaherty, this also serves as a homecoming celebration as she is Lakeville, Minnesota native.