Marlie Rutherford moving forward to Minot State

Graduating is super exciting for all graduates and Marlie Rutherford, daughter of Ryan and Kristi Rutherford of Glenboro, is not unlike any other graduate. Her commitment to her studies as well as her devotion to the sport of hockey is paving a way towards a bright future as she has officially received a scholarship and signed with the Minot State University Women’s Hockey team.

“I think my parents put a pair of skates on me as soon as I could walk,” smiled the 17 year-old right winger. Her first pair of skates were figure skates, not hockey skates, and her first lessons on the ice were through figure skating and later on a few power skating camps. Her introduction to hockey was when she was around 10 years old, playing hockey with the Glenboro Panthers boys team. “I was one of two girls on the team,” she said. From there, Marlee moved up to the Westman Falcons coached by her dad Ryan, Corey Forbes and Chris Page of Souris.

Corey Forbes, former coach and also teacher, commented that Marlie is a talented athlete who is very coachable, she is able to take constructive help and works hard in all the sports she plays. Marlie is an athlete; she played on the AAA Westman Magic ball team out of Brandon, (who took the Western League title in Winkler this past summer), and she has been a key player for the Glenboro Panthers Varsity volleyball team and she competes in track.

When asked ‘Why hockey?’, her reply was quickly that she loves the adrenaline rush and is most comfortable when laced up in a pair of hockey skates. “I just love skating so I believe it starts there; but I love the game and team spirit. Meeting and getting to know all of the team is so rewarding.”

The past three seasons, Marlie has played right wing for the Westman Wildcats AAA U18 team and coaches Guy Williams and Chris Page have played a huge role in her success; something she doesn’t take lightly or for granted. “Chris and Guy have both helped me so much with my confidence, skating and skills.” She mentioned Guy’s dedication to the sport, “he strives to make me the best player I can be,” she said thoughtfully.

Guy called Marlie a resilient individual who has had to fight through a lot of growing pains over the past three seasons, “She went through the regular growing pains that many players experience, especially in the first season with sporadic ice time, which is common with the younger players. During the 2nd season, I saw her fight hard to keep her spot on the team, then a hamstring injury resulted in her having to earn ice time once again after recovery. She ended year 2 playing very well and pushed her way up the lineup. This past year she has been tremendous, leading with her energy and physicality and that has resulted in a significant offensive outburst of points. She is an outstanding individual who has earned the respect of her teammates and coaching staff.”

Marlie is looking forward to attending Minot State and her dream is to make the All- Star team, but that is her second dream; her first was to be where she is right now. “My dream from a very young age has always been to play hockey at the University level; it feels pretty surreal right now,”she said smiling. Former Glenboro students Britni Mowatt and Jessica Vallotton have been her role models, showing her
that yes, it is possible for a girl from a small town to further their hockey careers.

Although she did talk to a few other universities, Minot really was her goal. “My dad and I went and checked it out and I loved the smaller campus and the amazing sports facilities, and it is pretty close to home.” Karlyn Gudz of Brandon, who has been Marlie’s teammate since the U15 league and best friend, has also signed with Minot State and will be staying in residence with her at Crane Hall.

When asked what her most memorable hockey moment has been, Marlie reflected back to when as a Pee Wee, she played an extended season with the South West Stingrays winning a tournament in Winnipeg in OT, and when the the Westman Wildcats took the league championship.

A few months from now, after graduation, Marlie will pack her grad dress away and will load her hockey equipment in the car as she moves south to play the sport she loves and to begin her studies for Physical Education and Education.

PHOTO CAPTION: Marlie Rutherford of Glenboro has signed with Minot State University and will play hockey for the Beavers.