One could say that Jessica Wong is literally the face of the 2012-13 Bulldogs. Her picture adorns the UMD hockey poster and the cover of the game program, and her jersey is marked with the squad's lone “C” this season. As the Bulldogs captain, Wong has been thrust into a role that she was both made for and for which she has been carefully groomed.
The native of Baddeck, Nova Scotia had a solid rookie season back in 2009-10 as a forward, netting 15 goals and adding 19 assists for 31 points. But it was Wong's goal in triple overtime of the NCAA championship on March 21, 2010 that secured her legacy. A legacy that is etched on the wall in a painting at AMSOIL Arena at the player's entrance or by a massive black and white mural on the concourse. What some players needed four years to achieve, Wong had secured just 41 games into her career. She had a legacy before she even had opportunity to know what one meant.
Fast-forward four years later and Wong – a defenseman for the past three seasons – has lived up to the billing. Wong has scored just as many points from the blueline as she did as an attacker, and cracked into the 100-point club back on October 7 as only the second Bulldog defenseman ever to join the exclusive 17-member club. She already owns the most goals by a blueliner and despite having played half as many games as the top-five defensemen scorers in UMD history. Wong continues to climb the ladder, as potent of an offensive threat as her fomrer teammate Jocelyne Larocque.
“It is a huge honor to be mentioned along side of Jocelyne,” says Wong, reflecting on Larocque. “She is such a talented player and I learned so much from playing with her. If I had to think of two people off the top of my head (who influenced me the most a freshman) I would say Jocelyn Larocque for her great skills on the ice and Saara Tuominen for her great leadership as a captain.”
Leadership. When Wong speaks about it, she is as serious about her role as a captain as she is with the puck on her stick. The kid who four years ago just fell in line with the other freshmen in her class is now the one at the front of the line. Wong understands she represents something bigger than just herself.
“To be named captain on a team in this historic program is such a huge honor,” said Wong. “I have always tried to lead by example and over the last four years and I have learned so much from my teammates and my coaching staff. It is because of the whole team that I have strengthened my leadership skills. Captaining a team of athletes that I respect so much is truly humbling and I am grateful for their trust in me during my senior year.”
“Jess has developed into a mentally, physically and emotionally tough player during her time here at UMD,” said Bulldog head coach Shannon Miller. “Adjectives such as coachable, selfless, courageous and passionate best describe her as a player and a leader now. As captain she leads a very young team, by example, both on and off the ice.”
What few people realize outside of the UMD staff this season is just how much harder Wong has had to work to be on the ice in the first place. Setbacks to a spring surgery forced Wong some delays this summer, and the gutty player has spent many practices this season watching her teammates learn power plays and penalty kills from the sidelines. Yet Wong, trying to rehab from injury and juggle her role on the team, is unrelenting.
“It was hard to not be able to do all the workouts and have my ice time limited but I knew that it had to be this way so that I could be fully recovered,” said Wong. “It was also hard to miss some time on the ice with the team because the team leadership has been really focused on being a family and creating great chemistry. It has been mentally challenging for me at different times. I knew it would be hard but I have tried to be very disciplined about it and have tried to focus on the things I can control.”
Perhaps one of Wong's greatest assets is her insistence that other people get their credit. She is quick to point out the support system she receives from home, from her parents – who she calls her number one fans – to her hometown community, which she adores. She makes note of her friendships on the team, the staff, the Duluth community and the UMD fans that she says have been “extremely supportive of me since the first day I came to Duluth.” But credit her personal and athletic growth and perhaps head coach Shannon Miller emerges as Wong's biggest influence over the past four years.
“I think I have matured as a person and a player and I believe coach Miller has taught me about work ethic and showing up for every minute of every game,” reflects Wong.” I respect how much emphasis she places on being a complete player on and off the ice. Coach has given me the chance to have the confidence to believe in my abilities.”
Set to graduate this May with a degree in community health, Wong reflects on her time at UMD and what she thinks her legacy will be to Bulldog fans. She knows instantly what will first come to mind to most of them, but it is her continued response that perhaps says it all.
“My legacy will probably always include scoring the game-winning goal in the 2010 championship, but I hope that it will also include that I was part of the class that won the championship in their freshmen and senior years,” said Wong. “I would like to be remembered for being a great teammate, person and role model. I honestly could not have come to a better place. Duluth is my second home.”
A second home, complete with a couple of legendary pictures on the walls, proof that indeed Jessica Wong was here; though Bulldog fans are not likely to forget.
