There seemed to be no better way for senior forward Alyssa Wiebe (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) to become the first person in Fighting Sioux women's hockey to attain the century mark with all of her points as a member of UND.
In the series finale against Minnesota State, Mankato, Wiebe beat a defenseman to the puck at the blue line and scored on a breakaway. She didn't stop at hitting 100 points either, but went on to score another goal and an assist to lead the Sioux to a sweep over the Mavericks for the first time in program history.
This may not have happened if not for two decisions that brought Wiebe to play for the Sioux. The first being UND's decision to hire Brian Idalski as head coach for the 2007-2008 season. Prior to Idalski's first season with the program he spent one season with St. Cloud State University's women's hockey program where he first intended to recruit Wiebe. The second? Wiebe stuck with Idalski and chose UND.
"She bought into some of the things we were talking about doing here and I thought that she could be the focal point of that early and often," Idalski said.
It didn't take long for Wiebe to start helping the women's hockey program evolve to its nationally ranked status today. During her freshman year she was named WCHA Rookie of the Week, had three game-winning overtime goals, was voted Fighting Sioux Rookie of the Year and scored her first career goal against a team she might have played for (St. Cloud State University).
"Over the past few years we have brought in some amazing and talented players and goaltenders. The coaching staff has developed into a stronger unit as well as the team. The program itself has come from a place where many players didn't even consider UND to players from all over the world wanting to be here and represent the Fighting Sioux," Wiebe said.
During the transition there have been a few highlights for Wiebe. She enjoys playing Ohio State because she has some of her best games against them. Her favorite memory as part of the team is sweeping the University of Minnesota Gophers last season at home.
"The team is my second family and being a part of a program that takes care of everyone is special and something I'm really going to miss," Wiebe said.
Wiebe grew up in a family of six where she learned to play with her four brothers growing up in Saskatoon. At the age of four she played hockey with her brothers in the backyard. When she turned five she joined her first team. Prior to UND she spent two years playing for the Hounds at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame and played for Canada's National Under-18 team.
Wiebe, along with six other seniors, still has a lot of the season left to play, but she has thought about her future after UND. She would like to put her graphic design and technology degree to work doing graphic design or working in the sports industry.
"The four years goes extremely fast," Wiebe said. "It's a privilege to wear the jersey and represent what has been built for us in the past."
Wiebe could have played for the St. Cloud State University Huskies. She could have played for Ohio State, but she found her second family and home as a successful member of the Fighting Sioux women's hockey program. She has broken many individual records but is still looking to be part of another, which she hopes happens this season, in being part of the first Fighting Sioux women's hockey team to make the national tournament.
Idalski said that she was one of the first people to buy into the North Dakota Fighting Sioux women's hockey program. Wiebe's success and accomplishments have helped sell that same program to underclassmen and incoming players for years to come.
