By Alicia Nemiccolo MacLeay '97

Meaghan Sittler '98 has spent years in the U.S. women's national hockey team program, but she says playing for the Brampton Thunder in Canada's National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) is what she's always thought hockey should be–a pleasure.

This season is Sittler's first as a left wing in the two-year-old NWHL. In 1999-2000 Sittler was part of the U.S. national team program but tried out in the spring and earned a spot on the Brampton Thunder. "Every game is serious, but it's fun, too," she said. The Brampton Thunder was ranked first in the 10-team league at mid-season, providing speculation about a run at the women's Stanley Cup championships.

Colby's all-time leading scoring with 119 goals and 121 assists in 85 games, Sittler is now one of the top scorers on a team that includes five Canadian team members and many others who've played for the Canadian or U.S. teams. "We have a very strong offense," said Sittler. "I still score goals like at Colby, just not as many."

Sittler says part of the difference between playing in a professional league and the U.S. program is not being on a continuous tryout: "You're on the team for the year." She says without that pressure, players can focus on performing and not worry about constant analysis of everything they do. "It's amazing how many people care and support us," Sittler said of the Thunder fans. "I love hockey, and as long as it's fun I'll keep playing."