Maria Rooth has been playing hockey for as long as she can remember, but soon, for the first time ever, she'll be paid to do so.

The former three-time University of Minnesota Duluth All-American recently signed a professional contract with AIK IF, a Swedish club team located in Stockholm, which placed her in a unique class of female hockey players.

\"In Sweden, and in most parts of the world, this is a one-of the kind contract,\" said UMD assistant coach Ira Turunen, a native of Finland. \"As a female, you pretty much have to pay to play hockey and it's great to see Swedish club team taking a step forward and offering money for one of their best.\"

Rooth starred with the Bulldogs during their first four seasons of intercollegiate competition (1999-2003). In addition to being named an NCAA All-American on three occasions (first team as a sophomore and junior and second team as a senior), Rooth was a Top 10 Finalist for the coveted Patty Kazmaier Award as the most outstanding female player in college hockey in 2000, 2001 and 2002. She concluded her UMD career ranking second on the school's all-time scoring charts with a team-record 119 goals and 113 assists for 232 points in just 124 games. The only female in the history of UMD athletics to have her jersey number retired (No. 27), Rooth played an integral part in the Bulldogs' conquest of an unprecedented three straight NCAA Frozen Four titles (2001-03).

\"This is the first time in my hockey career that I have been offered any money to play my sport,\" said Rooth, 26, who was an All-WCHA pick all four of her years as a Bulldog. \"It is a great opportunity for me to be able to focus more on hockey and training, and only work part-time. I feel fortunate to have been given this rare chance and I see it as a big challenge.\"

Born and raised in Angelhom, Sweden, Rooth vaulted herself into the international hockey spotlight this past February when she helped lead Sweden to a silver medal at the Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy. In the tournament semifinals, Rooth scored all three goals (including a pair in regulation) in Sweden's shocking 3-2 shootout victory over the United States.

\"This is another step forward for women's hockey, “ said Shannon Miller, the only head coach the Bulldogs have employed in their seven years of existence and who has an impressive 176-46-20 record to show for it. “Maria Rooth signing a contract and being paid to play the game she loves is a significant indication of progress.\"

Rooth, a member of the Swedish Olympic Team in both 1998 and 2002 as well, skated for MB Hockey following her graduation from UMD. She helped that Stockholm-based club team capture two Swedish National Championships (2005 and 2006). At the conclusion of this past season, MB Hockey's biggest rival, AIK IF, offered Rooth a contract she couldn't resist.

\"Obviously we are very pleased to have Maria join our organization,\" said Staffan Jordansson, AIK head coach. \"Maria will be a great addition to our team, and will be an inspiration and a role model for our younger players.\"