Agosto learns on the fly

BRIAN WHITWHAM, Free Press Sports Reporter

Nino Agosta says people scoffed when he registered his six-year-old daughter for ice hockey, suggesting that she play with older boys. But after seeing her play, they began taking him seriously. Playing with boys her own age, Megan's team won her first game 21-0.

"Meghan had scored all 21 goals," Agosta said yesterday. "The game wasn't even over and we took her off the ice because the parents were complaining."

Today, at 17, Meghan Agosta is one of the best young female hockey players in the country and her dream is to represent Canada at the Olympics.

"All the way along, I've been working to fulfil that dream," she said.

Agosta is getting a chance to represent Canada this week in a less-frozen variation of the game.

She's playing in the International Federation of Roller Sports women's world inline hockey championship at Western Fair Sports Centre.

The 12-team women's tournament began yesterday and will conclude along with the men's event on July 1.

Canada beat Mexico 16-0 in front of 250 fans and Agosta was the game's leading scorer with four goals and two assists.

But when she went out for the team in May, she had never played inline hockey and didn't even know the rules.

"I knew nothing," she said. "But I just went out and made the team."

As one of the team's youngest players, Agosta said she really enjoys playing and interacting with all of the veterans on Canada's roster.

The Canadian team includes Carolin Ouellette, Cherie Piper and Isabelle Chartrand, all members of Canada's 2002 Olympic ice hockey team that won gold in Salt Lake City.

"It's amazing," she said. "It's a great opportunity for me to get to know them and ask certain questions . . . such as what did they do to get to that level."

Her father said he is just happy the tournament is giving her the opportunity to interact with people from all over the world.

"Where else are you going to meet people from different walks of life. That's what sports does. It brings people together."

Meghan Agosta said she hopes to try out for Canada's female under-22 ice hockey team this summer but for now, she has focused on the world inline championships.

In the men's game, Canada remained undefeated by beating Japan 15-1.

Both Canadian teams play the Czech Republic tonight. The women start at 5:30 p.m. and the men at 7 p.m.