She is the only University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey player to have her jersey retired above the ice of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, but Maria Rooth is about to make her ice level presence known on the Bulldog bench.
The four-time Team Sweden Olympian is set to become an assistant coach for NCAA defending champions UMD, bringing the Angelholm, Sweden native full-circle with the program that she helped bring to national prominence as a player from 1999-2003.
"I am very excited to come back to Duluth to once again be part of a great community,” said Rooth. “It is a dream come true to get the chance to coach with Shannon Miller, who I regard as the best coach and mentor I have ever had. I am looking forward to working hard to continue the success for the UMD women's hockey program."
Rooth remains the Bulldogs' all-time leading goal scorer, having netted 119 goals in 124 skates, and ranks second in career points with 232 (119-113=232) in those same 124 games. A three-time All-American (2001, 2002, 2003) who helped UMD to three consecutive NCAA titles – an NCAA first – in 2001, 2002 and 2003, she was three times a First Team All-WCHA selection, and was the league's Rookie of the Year in 2000. Rooth was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2001 NCAA Frozen Four, as well as the MVP of the WCHA Tournament that same season, and was a three-time Patty Kazmaier Top-10 Finalist in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Just last season, Rooth was one of three Bulldog alums named to the WCHA's All-Decade Team, the highest honor from the nation's toughest league. Rooth was also a three-time WCHA All-Academic Team member in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
"Maria is an exceptional hire for our program, just as she was an exceptional student-athlete during her four years here,” said head coach Shannon Miller Thursday. “Maria was a key ingredient to our program winning three NCAA championships in our first four years as a program and is the only player to have had her jersey retired. Maria has a skill set and ability to teach one on one that will enhance our program in the areas of skating and skill development. Maria is an exceptional human being, a proud alumni and a fantastic addition to our staff."
The very high profile Rooth is also known as a 2006 Turin Winter Olympics hero, after scoring twice in regulation and adding a goal in the semifinal shootout against the United States to lift Sweden to a stunning 3-2 upset (and eventual silver medal). She has tallied nine goals and nine assists in 20 games during her Olympic career, and has played more than 260 games for Team Sweden over the past 12 years. Just last year at the 2009 IIHF World Championship, Rooth Netted her 100th career international goal, a first for a Team Sweden player.
Rooth will assume her assistant coaching duties on June 7th.
