Morgan McGathey is a rising star in women’s hockey.
The Braintree, Mass., native has been a standout for Thayer Academy through her first two seasons of prep school hockey as well as with the East Coast Wizards.
To those who know her, her meteoric development is hardly a surprise.
“She's a super kid,” Ed Bourget, Mass. Hockey director of player development and BB&N coach, said. “She just plays a super consistent team game.”
McGathey suited up in all 26 games as a sophomore for Thayer last season, scoring over a goal per game with 29 to go along with 20 assists en route to All-NEPSAC honors. It was a step up from an impressive freshman year that also saw her score at over a goal-per-game clip with 25 tallies and 35 points in 22 contests.
In 28 games with the Wizards last season, she had 27 goals and 22 assists.
McGathey attributes her on-ice success to those around her.
“I think the people surrounding me are what make it fun for me, and I'm fortunate enough to play with such amazing hockey players and people,” McGathey said. “I just happen to be in the right spot, and they're really elite players and talented who help us win. So it's pretty special to be a part of.”
But to anyone who’s watched McGathey play for even a few moments, it’s easy to see why she puts up the gaudy numbers she does. It starts with her work ethic.
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“Morgan’s strengths, number one for me, is probably how she works and shows up every day,” Bourget said.
Thayer coach Brandy Fisher-Bailey hasn’t dealt with another player that compares to the right-shot forward.
“I've actually never coached anybody with a compete level like she has,” she said. “She just never stops. I think most coaches would say that about her, and having coached her, it's pretty impressive.”
McGathey said, “It's the part of me that wants to win and always be the best one out there. Just a little chip on the shoulder. Winning is just something I value a lot.”
Bourget has known McGathey since she was 10 years old when she was one of the first campers at Toni Ann Miano’s Eagles Elite program.
“She was dynamic right from the start,” he said.
On top of an unmatched drive, McGathey’s shot is what helps her stand apart from the crowd, thanks to a quick release and elite accuracy. But it’s her improved skating ability that has helped her take her game to the next level.
“She’s a very powerful, dynamic skater,” Bourget said. “She’s worked on that, and I've watched it because I've seen her over the summer months work on skating and different skill work since she was a younger kid. So she’s really put the time and effort into that aspect of it.”
McGathey has become a “complete player” in Fisher-Bailey’s eyes due to not only her high-level shot and skating but also her growing vision and play away from the puck. Her experiences with USA Hockey as well as the Wizards have been contributors to that growth, and some of it has stemmed from the work in the weight room to become a stronger, tougher player.
“She's not a huge player if you see her, but from a strength and conditioning and explosive point of view, that has really developed because she works hard in the gym,” Fisher-Bailey said.
McGathey skated with the U.S. U-18 select team in its three-game series against Canada in August. She will be one of seven Massachusetts natives and nine New Englanders competing for Team USA at the IIHF U-18 Women’s World Championship in Zug, Switzerland, in January.
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“To be coached by such high-level coaches, participate with some amazing hockey players from around the world and we got to hear from Hilary Knight and get her advice on the game, it was really special,” McGathey said.
All of it led to plenty of interest from Division 1 programs, particularly those around the Northeast. After taking her time with her decision, McGathey ultimately committed to Harvard in September. She felt that academics were at the top of the list when it came to her choice.
“'I feel blessed to be given this amazing opportunity,” McGathey said. “I’m really excited to be part of a historic program and university. I’m excited with the new coaching staff that’s come in, and I just can't wait to get there.”
Fisher-Bailey said it was a tough decision for McGathey. She wanted to make sure she found the right fit.
“Not only is Morgan a great hockey player, but she's also super diligent, just in life. She knows that hockey ends, so school is very important to her,” she said.
McGathey will be one of Thayer’s captains this season. Her objective for the year?
“To win,” McGathey said. “Our main goal is to win, and every year we keep getting better and better. Just be competitive in all games and outwork our opponents.”
It’s quite the leap from her mindset heading during her freshman year tryout. McGathey still had a white helmet at the time. Fisher-Bailey recalls asking her when she would get a new black helmet to match Thayer’s uniforms. McGathey was a shoo-in for the roster but said she’d get one when she made the team.
“I think that's what makes her so good. She really doesn't know how good she is,” Fisher-Bailey said. “She just keeps working, and when you have a kid like that, it just motivates the whole team.”
It speaks to another intangible that helps McGathey stand out. Fisher-Bailey believes her humility has helped her become a great leader. Her equal treatment of each teammate is sincere, something Fisher-Bailey appreciates as a coach.
“I think that’s what makes her better,” she said.
“She never rests on her laurels. She just keeps working because wants to get better. You can tell she loves it.”
