"Hard work without talent is a shame, but talent without hard work is a tragedy."  Robert Half

Brigette Lacquette came into the University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey program full of talent and promise.  She was the Bulldogs second leading scorer from the blueline as a freshman, and trailed only fellow classmate Jenna McParland at the top of UMD's scoring chart her sophomore season.  But despite Lacquette's statistical success early as a Bulldog, something was missing.

It wasn't talent.  The Canadian Olympic Team thought so much of Lacquette's talent that they centralized her for five months last fall.  Although released ahead of the Sochi Winter Olympics, the experience changed the Mallard, Manitoba native.  Everyone invited to centralize had talent.  For the first time, she had to rely on something in addition to it.

"The months training with the Olympic team were very intense and stressful," said Lacquette.  "I have never trained that hard in my life.  What I learned from myself was how far I am willing to push myself and how far I have to push myself.  I now know what to expect to compete and dominate at the highest level of hockey."

Skating with the legends of Canadian hockey, Lacquette was pushed in ways she had never realized were possible.  She took special notice of Canadian stalwarts Caroline Ouellette (a former Bulldog All-American) and Hayley Wickenheiser.

"Caroline Ouellette and Hayley Wickenheiser made the biggest impact on me," said Lacquette.. "I grew up watching these players, and getting the opportunity to play on a team with them was unreal.  They set a great example for me on and off the ice and made me realize what it takes to play at that level of hockey for a very long time."

Greatness is contagious, and no question Lacquette was subject to the habits and efforts of great players and leaders for five months.  It was bound to make an impression.  While never one to be a vocal cheerleader, Lacquette came back to Duluth with a self awareness that arguably didn't exist prior to her centralization.

"Since I got here in August, I've been trying to be the best possible leader I can be on the ice," said Lacquette.  "I'm not a vocal leader and I have never been.  I feel working hard on the ice and focusing on the small details not only helps me but will help my teammates as well.  I believe that the style of defense I play helps the team at both ends of the ice. Centralizing with the Olympic team last year really helped me focus on putting defense first rather than being a high risk player who constantly makes high risk plays or at least keep the high risk to a minimum.  Being centralized gave me a different perspective on the game which made me a more mature player in the end."

"It's great to have Brigette back in our line up this season," said UMD head coach Shannon Miller.  "When Brigette is dialed in to the team and game plan, she has the potential to contribute a great deal offensively and defensively. She should be able to play against any team's top line as a top defender and she should be able to contribute offensively, because she is a very gifted player. We believe Brigette will produce as well as be a key leader of our young group of defensemen."

On talent alone, Lacquette's numbers in her first two seasons were hard to ignore.  In 70 games, she netted 13 points and dished out 31 assists for 44 points.  With an assist in the series against Wisconsin, Lacquette is now sitting at 45 career points — just three shy of cracking into UMD's top-10 all-time scoring defenseman.  Without question, Lacquette, who already ranked ninth among all Bulldog blueliners with 13 career goals prior to the season starting, will climb that scoring ladder effectively.  But a new and improved Lacquette isn't interested in her own personal statistical agenda.  She sees the whole picture.

"I want to win a national championship," said Lacquette.  "We have so much depth this year and this is the best team I have been apart of since I got here at UMD.  I'm so happy to be back here for one last season in Duluth and look forward to this year."

Lacquette has experienced firsthand what it takes to make the roster of a team that has won four-consecutive Olympic gold medals.  The talent was always there; Lacquette now simply has the work ethic to match it.