An Atikokan defenceman is gearing up for her third season playing NCAA Division III hockey in Wisconsin.
Darbie Mattson is one of four players on the University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets roster that come from Northwestern Ontario joining Thunder Bay forwards Gaby Andreacchi and Kailey Swerhun as well as defenceman Jada LeBlanc.
“Yeah, we were on the same line last year; I don’t know [if that will carry over to] this year but [our teammates called us the] Snowbirds,” joked Mattson. “I [honestly] wasn’t looking at going to university for hockey. I [had] my last two years of hockey [impacted by] to the [COVID-19 pandemic]. [That said] I remember getting a call from [Head Coach Dan Laughlin] and I [became] pretty interested [in the opportunity] because it's close to home. I also knew two girls who went there who I played with in prior years on the Queens.”
Mattson played house league hockey in her hometown before trying out for the Thunder Bay Queen’s program
She noted that playing on the same ice as the guys growing up forced her to adjust her play when she signed up for the Queens, mainly because there’s no body contact in women’s hockey.
Mattson is able to come home for holidays and does live in Atikokan in the summer.
When asked about minor hockey in the town, she mentioned “When [I was playing in it], we had just enough people [to make teams] but we [also] had a good core group where we actually did very well [at tournaments]. A few of the guys who I used to play with, they went on to play a little bit of [junior hockey]. But then after that, [I think hockey registration] has gone downhill because we have less and less kids [growing up]. [I believe] right now [Atikokan Minor Hockey] is doing [enough] to stay alive, which is sad.”
Atikokan has produced one National Hockey League draft pick and someone else who ended up making the NHL without being drafted.
Forward Gary Sampson has dual citizenship with the United States and played with the Washington Capitals in 105 games between 1983 and 1987, compiling 13 goals and 22 assists.
Fellow forward Spencer Meany was a 10-round selection (211th overall) of the Buffalo Sabres, but only made it as high as the ECHL, picking up 66 points in 155 regular season games with the Raleigh IceCaps. The team relocated to Augusta, Georgia following the 1997-98 season due to the arrival of the Carolina Hurricanes, who began play in Greensboro.
Matson has suited up in 47 total games over the last two seasons with the Yellowjackets and is feeling more at ease entering year three.
“I was definitely nervous,” Mattson recalls about her first game playing in NCAA. “It took a bit [for me] to get used to [the game flow] and play on my best capabilities. There was and is also a lot of excitement because I like the group that we get to play with. I have gained like a lot of confidence over the past two years, and I’m hoping [that that will continue] this year.
Mattson is enroled in Exercise Science with a minor in Health, and is hoping to eventually become a Chiropractor.
