Sault Ste. Marie, Mich and northern Ontario are beaming with pride and anticipation as one of its own is going for gold at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
“The City of Sault Ste. Marie is so proud to congratulate our very own, Abby Roque, as she prepares to compete at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, China, as part of the U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey team,” says the Michigan city’s Facebook site.
NBC sports points to Roque as one of the U.S. Olympians to watch.
“Abby Roque is one of the up-and-comers on Team USA's women's hockey team, and for good reason. The 24-year-old was a standout throughout her collegiate days at the University of Wisconsin, helping to lead her team to a National Championship in 2019. In 155 games as a Badger, Roque logged 56 goals and 170 total points,” says NBC.
Highlights of Roque’s hockey career as outlined by Hockey USA are:
- Twice earned a spot on the U.S. Women's National Team for International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship tournaments (2020, 2021) and appeared in one IIHF Women's World Championship tournament (silver-2021)
- Made U.S. Women's National Team debut at the 2019-20 Rivalry Series, also represented the U.S. at the 2021 My Why Tour, presented by Toyota.
- As a member of the U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team, participated in two International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Women’s World Championships (gold-2015; silver-2014)
- Participated in the 2014 Under-18 Series vs. Canada as a member of the U.S. Under-18 Women's Select Team and the 2018 Under-22 Series vs. Canada as a member of the 2018 U.S. Under-22 Women's Select Team
- Was a top-three finalist for the 2020 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award
- Named 2020 WCHA Player of the Year, 2020 USCHO D-1 Women’s Player of the Year, and All-Tournament in the WCHA title game
- Won the 2020 Bob Allen Women's Hockey Player of the Year
- Helped Wisconsin to the 2019 NCAA national championship
- 2017-18 All-WCHA First Team and WCHA Offensive Player of the Year at the University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
- 2016-17 WCHA Rookie of the Year
The 24-year-old’s roots also extend to Wahnapitae First Nation, in the Sudbury area.
"Roque, the daughter of Jim and Julia, is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada because her father is originally from Canada and he’s also Native American. Roque’s uncle Larry was also recently voted in as chief of the Wahnapitae First Nation, part of the Ojibwe First Nation, and some of her family still lives on the land off of Lake Wanapitei, which includes an ice skating rink," said the USA Hockey website.
The TeamUSA website said Roque most recently has played for the University of Wisconsin of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).
The website also speaks of Roque's father Jim as he worked as a college coach at Lake Superior State University and is currently a pro scout with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Her father is a Canadian citizen, but Roque said that’s not a conflict of interest when the U.S. Women’s National Team faces Team Canada, its biggest rival, said the website.
The Beijing Olympics are set to begin on Feb. 4.