Maddie Rooney started youth hockey in Andover at five years old. She really wanted to give the goalie position a try, but that wouldn’t happen for a few more years. Maddie’s dad, Mike, would shoot at her at home and didn’t think she was very good. What Maddie was really becoming was an excellent skater, which translated nicely to her eventually becoming a goalie.

Fast forward to high school. Maddie’s junior year, she led Andover’s girls’ team to their first state tournament, winning Consolation.

Maddie tried out and made the Andover boys’ team her senior year. During Maddie’s senior season she racked up very respectable statistics, and she was recruited to play for  the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) the following year.

Maddie stepped right in at UMD and made the WCHA All-Rookie Team as a freshman. As a sophomore, Maddie was selected as MVP at the WCHA Final Face-off.

Maura Crowell, UMD’s head coach, commented, “Maddie is humble, competitive and talented. She has the ability to beat anybody on a given day.”

USA Hockey noticed Maddie, and she centralized with the Olympic team to prepare for the 2018 Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea. Maddie was solid throughout the Olympic experience. She backstopped the US to its first Olympic gold medal since 1998. The title game against Canada came down to a shootout, with Maddie stopping the last Canadian shooter. Maddy made the stop, swept the puck out of the blue paint, and headed toward her teammates for the celebration.

Following the Olympics, Maddie traveled with her team to television appearances and celebrations. Maddie especially liked the celebration in Andover where she was able to connect with friends and family.

Later in the year, Maddie won the ‘2018 Sportswoman of the Year Team Sport Award’ presented by the Women’s Sports Foundation. Previous winners include Serena Williams, Mia Hamm, and Maya Moore.

Mike Hannula, Maddie’s coach on the 1997 West team at Minnesota Selects in 2010, described Maddie as a difference maker and great teammate.

Maddie continued to impress as her 2018–2019 UMD season came to a close. She posted wins against several ranked teams, including national runner-up Minnesota. Also this season, over several games ending in shootouts, Maddie stopped 17 of 18 attempts.

Maddie especially enjoys her time working with kids and is extremely helpful as a positive role model. Maddie has a couple things to share with the kids. First, “Listen to your coaches, set goals, and follow your dreams.” Also, “Have fun with the game. Your teammates will be some of your lifelong friends.”