By COURTNEY LEWIS
PLATTSBURGH — Kayla McDougall's career ended last year.
Plagued by health problems, she left the Plattsburgh State women's hockey team midway through last season.
Then she skated with the Cardinals before official practices started this season. Just for fun.
Four months later, she's still skating with them — and back on the roster. McDougall is one of three seniors who will play their last regular-season game at Stafford Ice Arena tonight when Plattsburgh State hosts Potsdam. The right winger jumped at an offer to rejoin the team and, finally healthy, she's relishing the chance to finish out her career.
"I altogether was just done," McDougall said. "I didn't ever think I'd be coming back to play again. I was coming back ... to get my schooling done and walk away with my degree.
"But obviously having this opportunity again is a great thing. It's been a ton of fun."
The 5-foot-6 Nanton, Alberta native played in 26 games as a freshman in 2006-07 and was second among rookies on the team with 21 points.
The next season, she missed the second semester because of a concussion. She came back ready to play her junior year but was diagnosed with mononucleosis early on. Still not feeling healthy by the semester break, McDougall left the team.
"It was extremely frustrating, and it felt never-ending for me," she said. "So I was frustrated and I just needed a break. And it was probably the best decision I made, to take that year off."
Still friends with members of the team, she took the ice for captains' practices last fall.
"Wasn't thinking of coming back to play or anything. And I got a call from Coach (Kevin Houle), and he just asked if I would want to come back for my last year and play again," McDougall said. "And of course I said yes right away. I wasn't expecting it, so ... it was a great opportunity.
"And I feel like I started to love the game more again after being away from it for a year."
McDougall brought some experience to a team that lost many of its leaders to graduation had just two other seniors on the roster. She has been a regular in the lineup all season, often skating with two freshmen or a freshman and a sophomore.
"It's great to see her come back," Houle said. "She's definitely provided us with some depth on our team.
"And I always like to see someone like that — a good kid who's had some adversity — come back and contribute and have a good year. And really kind of finish on a really good note."
McDougall ranks in the middle of the team's scoring list with four goals and five assists. But she said she's more focused on contributing in other ways.
"Coming in, taking a year off and having to come back, I knew I had to prove myself again, that I had to work extra hard so I could earn that spot — show Coach that him asking me to come back was the right choice," McDougall said.
"So pretty much I go out every practice, every game and just work as hard as I can. Make sure I do the little things. I've never been the big goal-scorer, but I just make sure I do my part on this team."
E-mail Courtney Lewis at: clewis@pressrepublican.com
