St. Louis shines in NCAA hockey

Hockey isn't a kids' game for Kylie St. Louis anymore.

The freshman defenceman at Robert Morris University has gone from watching the best female players in the world on TV in last February's Winter Olympics to chasing many of those same players on the ice this fall.

Just how well she's doing that was recognized last week when the Windsor native was selected College Hockey America's conference rookie of the week.

"It was a nice surprise," said St. Louis, who played for three years with the Southwest Wildcats of the Provincial Women's Hockey League.

"We played Wisconsin last week and they're the No. 1-ranked team. It's nice to be recognized for playing well ag-ainst them."

In fact, St. Louis scored her first goal of the season against the Badgers, becoming only the fourth freshman to score against Wisconsin this year.

"I was happy because the way it happened is something I've been working on the past three weeks," the five-foot-11 St. Louis said. "I didn't overhandle it, stop and shoot."

For not only St. Louis, but for the fledgling Colonials program, it's been a trial by fire through the season's first 15 games.

Half their schedule has been against top-10 ranked teams and four of those have been against a team that was ranked No. 1.

Its helped St. Louis to quickly learn to get over any temptation to be star-struck.

She has already lined up against Olympic MVP Meghan Agosta, the first of four times she'll face the Ruthven native's Mercyhurst club.

She's also skated against a lengthy list of players on either the Canadian or American national teams.

"You know who they are and you give them respect, but you don't want them walking ar-ound you," St. Louis said.

"You have to be aware at all times where players like that are on the ice. It's fun to play against them, but you want to beat them.

"Some of them (stars) can be chirpy out there and annoying, but Meghan isn't one to chirp. She's very respectful on the ice."

In only their seventh season, the Colonials are still taking their lumps against more established programs.

Robert Morris is 2-12-1 with an eight-game road trip coming up.

"We're getting better and it's coming," said St. Louis, who is second on the team with a minus-three.

"We've played a lot of good teams, but Maine is a newer program like us so it's more a level playing field. We haven't lost to them and we're hoping to get some more wins on the board."

As for her own progress, St. Louis said she's feeling more comfortable with each passing week.

The Holy Names graduate is getting a regular shift as well as plenty of special teams' time.

"The adjustment to college hockey is going pretty well," St. Louis said.

"It's a lot faster and everybody is a good player.

"Fortunately, I can use my size and strength and that's made it easier for me. The coaches are telling me they're happy with my progress."

Having enjoyed a steady diet of star players and top-ranked teams as opponents, the series of games St. Louis is most looking forward to is a four-game, home-and-home series versus Niagara and a trip back to Detroit to play Wayne State twice.

"Jessica Hitchcock is my best friend and she's at Niagara and we've been talking about these games for awhile," St. Louis said. "We're on Skype all the time.

"I'm looking forward to seeing her (Dec. 10-11) and I'm really looking forward to seeing her at the Wildcats Alumni Game (Dec. 21). I keep in close contact with my Wildcats' teammates."

With Robert Morris located just outside of Pittsburgh, St. Louis got a taste of the big time when the Colonials played Northeastern at the newly opened Consol Energy Center, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"That was a lot of fun," St. Louis said. "It's a beautiful arena."

However, St. Louis said she knows she's in a football city regardless of Sidney Crosby's deity status in Steeltown.

"Everyone is crazy about football here," said St. Louis, who is studying to teach English.

"I know when the Steelers are playing because I can hear the whole dorm going crazy."

dwaddell@windsorstar.com or 519-255-5784