Women's Hockey 11/12/2013 2:32:00 PM Kelly Grgas Wheeler

JAMIE KENYON: FOLLOW THE LEADER

If you missed the first two years of Jamie Kenyon's career, it's probably because you were paying attention to some of the more flashy University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey players in recent memory. With the likes of Elin Holmlov, Laura Fridfinnson and Haley Irwin filling up the stat lines of Kenyon's first two seasons, it was easy to overlook the consistency and hard work of the Sparta, Wisc. native and what she, too, meant to the Bulldogs.

Kenyon made it impossible to overlook her junior season, however, with a team-high 11 goals and six assists for 17 points in 32 skates and an "A" on the front of her sweater. UMD fans might not have been paying attention to the blue collar forward for two seasons, but her teammates and coaches certainly were.

Fast forward to the current season and her "A" has changed to a "C", but that is about the only noticeable difference of Kenyon on the ice. The senior winger already owns five goals and six assists for 11 points in her first 10 skates, and leads the nation with four power-play tallies.

Yet it's off the ice that head coach Shannon Miller can't seem to praise Kenyon enough. With just two seniors and 14 underclassmen, including seven freshmen, Kenyon's impact as the squad's leader is something Miller makes crystal clear.

"She really has done a great job leading a group that had been going in the wrong direction and getting it going in the right direction," said Miller. "We started August 17th and I have been told by the players that she has done a really good job, some of the best leadership that they have had the last three years."

Kenyon's strongest leadership characteristics have always been working hard and leading by example. While this season is no different, Kenyon has made an special effort to be someone that her teammates can come to with issues on or off the ice.

"Honestly, it is an honor to be named team captain," said Kenyon. "I know that I have big shoes to fill, given the history of past captains, but I'm eager to do my best to be a leader on this team. I think the main role I have is be someone the girls can feel comfortable coming to with whatever they have questions with and just be there in any way for my teammates. I think it's important for the leaders to lead by example and I try to do so by showing hard work ethic."

Currently skating on a first line that includes junior winger Jenna McParland and rookie center Ashleigh Brykaliuk, Kenyon's line is responsible for 12 of the 31 goals the Bulldogs have put up so far this season. With 16 assists between all three of them, Kenyon and McParland are just picking up where they left off last season, and quickly immersing Brykaliuk into the offensive mold she has been clearly prepared for.

"I think the newcomers are learning at an excessive rate and I am really excited to see them really make a difference in the lineup this year," said Kenyon. "They all work so hard and it has really shown this season. Ashleigh is a great new addition to our team and she is already making a huge impact, both offensively and defensively. She knows where she can generate chances for herself and how she can do the same for Jenna and myself."

With five seniors ahead of her last season, Kenyon is just one of two seniors (Brienna Gillanders is the other) on the 2013-14 squad. 14 underclassmen and seven freshmen is not a small charge, but Kenyon takes it all in stride.

"You're always going to miss the leadership you lose, but it also creates an opportunity for those underclassmen to step up and make a difference in your lineup," said Kenyon. "We have a lot of new faces this year but they have already been accepting larger roles in our lineup. Take Lara Stalder for example. Regardless of the fact that she is a freshman, she is gladly stepping up and becoming a beacon of success on our power play and on our top defensive pair."

What Kenyon models for the younger players isn't hard to miss inside the UMD program. It's more than the scoring accolades and point productivity. Kenyon is a model for the program and a player who seeks the team first attitude at every bend.

"She listens, she works hard," said Miller. "We don't celebrate talent in this program. We celebrate attitude, work ethic and team play and Jamie Kenyon exemplifies that."

When asked what she's learned as a Bulldog, it isn't surprising that Kenyon highlights the lessons that she appears to have grasped most tightly to as UMD's main leader.

"I've learned the importance of being yourself," said Kenyon. "Coach always likes to preach about being open, honest, and accepting, and I think that creates a trusting environment that allows us to thrive on and off the ice. I've also learned the importance of putting the team above yourself. Having a team first attitude is one of our keys to success and I think that is one thing that will stay with me forever."

Kenyon and the Bulldogs might be young this season and will certainly surrender three Olympians to Socchi for multiple weeks at multiple times. All challenges a hungry UMD squad with Kenyon at the helm are aware of but not obsessed with when starring down their main goal.

"It would still be an accomplishment to make the tournament again this year especially with how stiff the competition has been throughout the nation and especially the conference," said Kenyon. "To get back would really be a great testament to our outstanding coaching and belief that we can be a great team."

Or more validation that a special leader can inspire a team to into the folds of greatness.

Print Friendly Version

Scoreboard

UMD Athletics

JAMIE KENYON: FOLLOW THE LEADER