Player Highlight: Olivia Mann, Women's Hockey
Another year, another great start on the ice for Lloydminster's Olivia Mann.
The veteran blue-liner comes into the year with fellow local Asha Petrie as a core member of the first ACAC women's hockey roster at Lakeland College. Despite this usually involving a distinct evolution for post-secondary athletes in their dynamic with a team setting, Mann said there hasn't been a notable transformation.
"The only thing that's changed is getting more years of experience, understanding the routine better," she said. "But it's the same tight-knit group that carry the same roles we did when we were rookies."
Entering her last year of high school, Mann didn't know where she was going to play, as she was navigating the COVID pandemic, but knew she wanted to stay close to home. When the opportunity to play at Lakeland arose, she didn't hesitate and since that decision, the Lloyd Comp grad has enjoyed getting to play almost every game in front of family and friends.
"That became my first option, to save money, do what I wanted for education," Mann said. "I wouldn't have ended up here if I couldn't have played hockey."
"We probably get the biggest crowd in the league, so it's been awesome, I don't even have the words to describe it."
There have been some hurdles during Mann's time as a Rustler, notably suffering an ACL tear, which kept the star defender out for a year. Despite this, she was able to return to the ice in top form, posting 12 points in 12 games, while still anchoring the blue line on a championship roster. Currently, Mann has 36 points in 45 career ACAC games and has been named 2nd Team All-Conference twice.
While not the first Rustler to play for a parent, Mann is still in a unique position playing under the guidance of her father, Morgan. The Lakeland bench boss said he's truly enjoyed coaching her since she was very young.
"Olivia's somebody who tries to make people around her feel welcome and important," he said. "That's all I ask of any player, so fortunately for me, that really hasn't changed."
"She has a strong work ethic and doesn't complain, which makes it easy to coach her."
Mann said having played for her dad most of her life, they've been able to navigate any challenges as they've come, with their dynamic largely staying the same.
"I get the hard talk sometimes more than other players do, but I respect that, it's been good for my game," she said. "He respects me as a player and I respect his coaching."
"As a coach's kid, sometimes the personal shout outs and accolades don't come, but that's OK," he said. "Away from the rink we don't talk hockey, that's also helped. Then when we go to the rink, the expectation is I'm coach and she's player."
Playing in her third year of eligibility due to the knee injury two years ago, Mann said she and her teammates are pleased with their progress so far this fall. She noted that an increase in league parity and playing in their new home, the Cenovus Energy Hub, will continue to help in the team's growth.
"We always can improve on little stuff and the league is very tight right now," Mann said. "The new rink has been awesome to practice in, getting used to open ice and skating fast. I think we're going to keep improving as the year goes on."
Olivia Mann is in the University Transfer – Bachelor of Education program, having recently finished her practicum. She and the rest of the Rustlers will take on a much-improved Rattlers team this weekend, with three games in Medicine Hat.