Typically when a hockey player is converted from forward to defense, the newly minted blueliner's offensive stats suffer. Unless, of course, you are talking about UMD junior defenseman Jessica Wong.
After putting the explanation point on her 2009-10 rookie campagin with the game-winning goal in the third overtime of the 2010 NCAA championship game, Wong accepted the new role head coach Shannon Miller envision for her prior to the start of her sophomore season.
“Coach told me I would be a half-back, which is basically a forward and a defenseman,'” recalled Wong. “I was given the green light to rush the puck and get up into the play. I like it because it's different and challenging but of course I was skeptical at first. I do know coach Miller always has a reason for everything and defense allows me to really use my vision.”
That vision allowed Wong to become not only UMD's third-leading scorer last season (15-23=38) but ranked her No. 2 among all defensemen in the NCAA with a blistering 1.15 points per game average. With 31 points in league play, Wong led all WCHA defenseman in scoring. Wong's offensive outburst from the backline tied her for the second most points by a UMD defenseman in program history. It also tied her as the No. 1 goal-scoring blueliner for goals in a single-season.
“When I decide to use someone as a half back, they have to have really good vision, good hands and be a good skater, said Miller. “When you play from the back you see all of the ice. Players with good vision, hands and skating skills are very successful offensively and defensively. They help initiate your offense coming out of your own zone and then they join the rush and are part of the attack. This typically generates more points for them and the team and because they are good skaters they can get back and help defensively.”
Miller's position path for Wong not only showcased the junior's all-around talent but cements the brilliant hockey mind of Miller. When Wong set foot on the UMD campus in 2009, her resume was lengthy with Team Canada U-22 and U-18 successes as a winger, as well as ripe with the fruits of her offensive talents. Still, Miller saw the overall picture and knew what she had.
“Wong has strong vision and great hands,” Miller said. She has all the tools for success as a fourth attacker.”
Besides the pile of points Wong accrued last season, Wong also raised her plus/minus rating from a +13 as a rookie to a solid +35 as a sophomore, further proof that offense is not the only strong part of her game.
Wong arguably had the best possible blueprint left for her after playing one and a half seasons with former two-time All-American Jocelyne Larocque. Larocque left UMD as its all-time leading scoring defenseman, acquiring 105 points (19-86=105) in 127 skates but earned most of her points with 86 career assists. Wong, on the other hand, scored 15 goals in just one season from the backline, a feat only one other blueliner had done in Bulldog history until last seaon.
The one thing that Larocque left with that Wong has not had the opportunity to be a part of -- yet -- was an NCAA Frozen Four in Duluth. Larocque hoisted the trophy in 2008 as a freshman and although Wong won a title in 2010 with Larocque at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, the mere fact that AMSOIL Arena will host the 2012 NCAA Frozen Four is an ultimate goal for Wong.
“It means so much that AMOSIL Arena is hosting, but first we have to get through our season,” said Wong. “It is most definately very exciting for us to be in our home rink, with our fans and all the unbelievable support they give us. We, as a team, would love to thank them and win another national championship in Duluth.”
“This season we have a younger team but every year is always going to be different from the last. We have a lot of talent on the team this year and I am ready for a great year.”
