Even as a child, Ruthven native Meghan Agosta was persistent.

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Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of profiles for the 42nd Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024, which will inducted on Oct. 5 at the Ciociaro Club at 5:30 p.m.

Even as a child, Ruthven native Meghan Agosta was persistent.

It was that persistence that helped Agosta become one of the greatest female hockey players ever produced in Canada. After retiring earlier this year, the 37-year-old Agosta has now been selected for induction into the Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame.

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“For me, I remember growing up and walking into the Leamington Arena and seeing the (hall of fame) pictures and thinking, that would be cool to have the opportunity to be up there, and now it’s real and it’s a little surreal,” Agosta said. “It’s an honour and a privilege.”

And something that might never have been possible if a little five-year-old girl hadn’t been persistent in her quest to play the game of hockey.

“I think back to when I first started, when I was five, and I asked my dad (Nino) to play,” Agosta said. “He looked at me and said, ‘Boys play hockey and girls figure skate.’ I was outside playing street hockey with (brother) Jeric’s following in his footsteps.”

So, young Meghan turned to mom Char a year later in hopes of finding an ally and her dad finally relented.

“I think back and wonder, ‘What if he didn’t put me in?’” Agosta said. “I think back to the sacrifice my parents made with four kids and putting them all in different sports.”

But she quickly showed she could handle the game. Agosta’s team won its first game with her in the lineup by a 21-0 count and she scored 19 goals. A month later, she was moved up to play travel hockey with boys older than herself.

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“That accomplishment was not mine, but my family and siblings as well,” Agosta said.

She went on to earn a scholarship at Mercyhurst University in the United States and became the first freshman to ever be named a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award as top NCAA’s top female player.

She was the youngest player on the team at just 18 when she made her Canadian Olympic debut in 2006 and would win gold. She was named MVP at the 2010 Olympic Games and won gold that year and in 2014. She would add a silver medal in 2018 as well as two gold medals at the world championships and six silver medals. She is sixth on the all-time scoring list for Canadian women’s hockey with 85 goals and 176 points and seventh with 91 assists.

“At the time, you think your career is forever, but it went by fast,” said Agosta, who also played two seasons of pro in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League where she posted 57 goals and 126 points in 50 games.

Agosta remains involved with the game with children Chance and Rylan.

“It’s my turn to give what my parents gave me,” Agosta said. “(Chance) goes to the rink and loves it and says she’s going to be better than me. (Rylan) cries when we have to leave.

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“Women’s hockey has drastically changed, even since I started. It’s amazing where hockey’s come and it’s only going to get better in time.”

With that in mind, Agosta returns to the area every year to run a hockey camp in hopes she can pave the way for the area’s next great talent.

“I’ll never forget where I came from,” Agosta said. “I might live in Vancouver, but I enjoy coming back in summer. I’m able to teach the game I love so much. I’m trying to inspire that generation in their lives and maybe be a mentor.”

The 42nd WECSHOF induction ceremony is set for Oct. 5 at the Ciociaro Club. Tickets for the event are available at Nantais Athletic Inc., Riverside Physiotherapy Clinic and online at www.wecshof.com

jpparker@postmedia.com

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