KYLE MCLAUGHLIN LIVIN' THE GOOD LIFE.
Former Husky Kyle McLaughlin has had two chapters to his life since enrolling as a recruited defenseman for SCSU in 1995. A 6'2" 200 pound player from the Nepean Raiders of the Central Junior A Hockey League, he was brought in to supply toughness and strong defensive play on a team sporting offensive dynamos such as future NHLers Mark Parrish and Matt Cullen and then junior forward Dave Paradise.
It was defense first for this steady and reliable blueliner who could go for stretches without an impact offensively (105 games without a goal) but always a leader in the defensive zone and always ready to use his size and strength to protect the crease or to become an enforcer on behalf of his teammates. Most important, his mature approach to the game, work ethic and leadership skills allowed him to become a role model for the younger players and always a favorite of the coaching staff. The ultimate recognition of this leadership was his election as captain of the Huskies in 1998-99, his senior year.
Not surprisingly, McLaughlin's impact at SCSU was not just restricted to his athletic abilities. An excellent student, he was named WCHA Student Athlete of the Year in 1998-99 following three straight years of being named to the WCHA All-Academic Team. If that was not enough, this near 4.0 student in chemistry / Pre-Med and Biomedical Sciences was named to the 1999 Verizon Academic All-American Second Team and one of three finalists for the NCAA Student Humanitarian Award.
Following his graduation from St. Cloud State University, he then commenced chapter two of his educational journey- admission to Dalhousie Medical School in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Being that Canadien universities allow 5 years of college hockey eligibility, he was recruited to play for a season with the Dalhousie University hockey squad. He declined the opportunity due to his medical school workload and newfound interest in other outdoor athletic activities - namely rock climbing, backpacking, snowshoeing and hiking which allowed him and then girlfriend Carrie to do some climbing and backpacking in Utah and Yellowstone Park in Montana and culminating in a 14,500 foot climb of Washington's Mt. Ranier. His first year of medical school was highlighted by a marriage proposal to Carrie on New Years Eve.
After year two of medical school, Kyle and Carrie returned to Wisconsin for their wedding and a reunion with former teammates Brad Goulet, Andy Vicari, George Awada and Bryce Macken. A honeymoon followed taking the newlyweds on a six-week backpacking adventure across Europe, traveling from Scotland to Greece.
Years three and four of medical school had Kyle putting in 90 to 100 hour work weeks while still contemplating his choice of medical specialty. After stints working in emergency room departments in Calgary and Banff, wilderness medicine in Tennessee and rural family medicine rotations in northern British Columbia he chose Rural Family Medicine in Calgary, Alberta. Upon graduation from Dalhousie, he was honored with the College of Family Physicians of Canada Medical School Leadership Award in June of 2003.
At the start of his second year of residency in Calgary he was named Chief Resident for the Department of Family Medicine and is looking forward to the final step of the process - his licensing exams for Family Medicine in May of 2005. He has also been accepted for a fellowship in emergency medicine and upon completion, will have countless opportunities across Canada and abroad to work as an Emergency Medicine and Family Physician.
Finally planting some roots, the McLaughlins are building a home on the outskirts of Calgary, a location that allows them to participate in their many passions such as rock climbing, snowshoeing, backcountry telemark skiing (Kyle) and snowboarding (Carrie). As if that's not enough, both have been competing in triathalons and adventure races and Kyle in hockey three times per week. He also announces " I can actually score some goals now!"
Twenty five pounds lighter and now sporting a beard, Dr. McLaughlin gets great joy in maintaining contact with his former teammates while on annual visits to Carrie's home town, Hudson, Wisconsin and long-time friend and teammate, Brad Goulet's home in Woodbury.
He's truly proud of his experience as an athlete and student at SCSU and has fond memories of the University, city and all the great people he got to know during his time there. And, as only Kyle could so humbly put it:
"Thanks for the opportunity to continue to be involved in a program that I truly believe in and thankful to have been part of. And for future CIC / St. Cloud State University events, why don't you come up and check out the Canadien Rockies.... You are all welcome at our house in Calgary!"
We'd love to Kyle and Carrie and thanks for sharing. We're all very proud of you and your accomplishments.
NOTE: Many thanks to former Husky Ritchie Larson and to Kyle McLaughlin for supplying information for this feature.
