With a style reminiscent of a Detroit Red Wings favorite, Megan Doyen helped her girls travel hockey team to a successful run on a national stage.
Doyen, 14, a freshman at Brandon High School, is in her second year as a center on the Honeybaked U14 team, based in Oak Park. After winning a state championship in the U14 girls class, the Honeybaked team competed in the USA Hockey National Women’s Championships March 29 through April 1 in Buffalo, N.Y.
The Honeybaked team made it all the way to the championship game before losing a 2-1 contest to Assabet Valley. The team won a silver medal for their efforts.
Doyen is following in the footsteps of older brother Zack, 19, a former member of the Honeybaked boys? team. In fact, mom Ann Doyen said Megan wears number 68 in honor of Zack.
Megan has been playing hockey for about seven years, including a stint with the Lakeland Hawks travel team and three years with the USA Eagles, based out of the Detroit Skating Club in Bloomfield Hills.
She recalls asking her dad, Terry Doyen, if she could play hockey after watching Zack in action. ‘He wasn’t really sure, but he just decided I can learn to skate and see if I liked it,? she said.
Doyen joined the Honeybaked team after team manager Kevin Cahill saw her at a tryout and asked her dad if she would be interested in joining the team.
‘After my second tryout, he called my dad and asked if I could join the roster,? she said.
The Honeybaked team’s travels have taken them to several places outside of the state of Michigan, including Toronto, Markham, Windsor and Willowdale (all in Canada) as well as a showcase tournament in Wisconsin.
Doyen said she enjoys the camaraderie and the action of girls hockey.
‘Just hanging out with my friends is awesome,? she said. ‘I love to go and skate. When I score, it’s probably the best feeling in the world.?
Doyen’s hockey role model is a familiar name to Detroit Red Wings fans ? Kirk Maltby, a longtime member of the Wings? ‘Grind Line.?
‘He works really hard, and that’s how I play,? she said.
Doyen said she would enjoy the opportunity to continue playing that style at the next level ? namely, obtaining a scholarship to a Division I college. In addition to Zack, she has another older brother, Dan, 21, and a younger sister, Katie, 10.