Lively's Meaghan Kallio is one of the top stars on her team and
in the entire senior girls' Division I hockey league.
Despite this elite status, Kallio doesn't consider herself any
more important than anyone of her teammates and shows up to
every game ready to work hard.
In fact, Kallio relishes the dirty work, such as mucking the
puck out of the corners and from behind the net, to get the
puck in play.
She plays a passionate game, despite suffering from
injuries.
In her four years of playing high school hockey, Kallio has
become the heart and soul of the Lively team and a shining
example for younger players to follow.
In the Hawks' first 10 games, Kallio scored 15 goals and eight
assists for 23 points. It placed her in the Top 3 for points in
the league.
Kallio's efforts have pushed Lively to the top of the
standings. As of Monday, Jan. 15, they sat firmly in second
place with an 8-2 record.
"So far, so good," explained Kallio about her team's progress
in 2006-07. "We're one of the top teams, so it's a really good
feeling. For a lot of the girls on this team, this is our
senior year...we've been here for four years and we want to end
it on a special note. We're at the top now, but there's still a
lot of hockey to be players...and then there's the playoffs,
where winning counts the most."
Kallio and company want nothing more than to hoist the city
championship trophy and then move onto NOSSA, and hopefully
OFSAA.
"It's one game at a time for us...going all the way would be
great," said Kallio.
Despite being one of the best high school teams, Lively never
rests on past accomplishments.
"Every game, everyone just works really hard," said the Grade
12 student. "Everyone works towards winning it all. There isn't
one person who stands out on this team. It's always a total
team effort when we win...that mentality should carry us a long
way."
Last summer, Kallio had surgery on her right knee to repair
extensive cartilage damage. She never missed a beat and was
playing sports full time in the fall, helping the school's flag
football team win the city crown.
"My right knee had been bad for a few years," said the
17-year-old. "I had surgery and then physiotherapy to work
through it. I do have some concerns about it. Sometimes I take
it easy, but I can't take time off. I don't like long breaks. I
need to keep playing and competing. It's impossible for me to
sit and watch others play sports."
Kallio is a beacon for other players.
"Meaghan is a good puck handler and can control the play," said
head coach Kim Chezzi. "Often, opponents are chasing her and it
opens up chances for her teammates. She has good hands, shot
and speed. She's quite a leader...she leads by example. She
never gives up, even if we're losing. She has persevered and
plays through pain. Meaghan is dedicated and makes a huge
impact on our younger players."
For Kallio, sports is more than just winning a trophy or a
tournament. Athletics has changed her entire life for the
better.
"Sports has been my life and all I want to do," said the
sniper. "I've changed a lot over the years here. I have a lot
better attitude towards everything. I'm a lot more positive...I
started high school sports with a lot of negativity and a bad
attitude. Now, I've grown up a lot and realized what's
important."
When it comes to hockey, Kallio, like most players, loves the
rush of being on the ice battling for a win.
"I like to work the corners and behind the net...actually I
love it," said the multi-sport athlete. "I have a lot of
competitiveness and I want to win. At the same time, I am not
too serious. I don't yell at people...I want to have some fun
too."
When she's not playing hockey, Kallio also plays volleyball,
softball, football, basketball and soccer.
