Maggie Malecha, a former goaltender for the University of St. Thomas, has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the College Hockey Inc. Scholarship, an honor that recognizes outstanding service to youth hockey.
The Scholarship’s Legacy
The $2,500 award, presented by JLG Architects in memory of longtime supporter Lonnie Laffen, celebrates student‑athletes who blend athletic commitment with community leadership.
Malecha spent three seasons between 2022 and 2026 in the NCAA net for St. Thomas, appearing in 21 career games and earning three consecutive selections to the WCHA All‑Academic Team.
From Camp to Classroom
A native of Northfield, Minnesota, she graduated in 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, a foundation that now supports her ambition to become a teacher.
In 2023 she launched a summer hockey camp in her hometown, growing registration from 120 participants in the inaugural year to 175 the following summer, while overseeing scheduling, staff recruitment and scholarship allocations to keep the program accessible.
During the 2025‑26 season she also joined the coaching staff at Northfield High School, working with both girls’ and boys’ teams as a goalie instructor, further extending her impact on local players.
The scholarship committee praised her dedication to volunteerism and community service, describing her as an exemplary student‑athlete who has consistently turned personal achievement into opportunity for others.
Looking ahead, Malecha plans to begin a teaching career while pursuing a master’s degree in education at the University of St. Thomas, aiming to integrate her hockey experience into the classroom and inspire the next generation both on and off the ice.