The Sault’s Halle MacLachlan has finished her college hockey career on an exceptionally high note.
MacLachlan has played as a forward for the squad - primarily as a centre - in each of the Sault College Cougars team's three consecutive American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II National Championship-winning seasons.
The Cougars beat Assiniboine 6-2 in this year’s championship game in St. Louis on March 25 to capture their third consecutive title.
“The feeling gets better every time,” MacLachlan told SooToday.
“The first time we won it in 2023 against Northeastern was really exciting. It was a new feeling so in the second year we wanted it so bad. When we won again in 2024 against Assiniboine it was an awesome feeling. I really wanted to feel that for a third time so when we won for the third consecutive year in March it was just an unreal experience.”
MacLachlan said it was a sweet victory over Assiniboine in this year’s final after the Cougars played two frustrating games against the U.S. college in January, losing one 3-2 and being held to a 1-1 tie in the other.
“We travelled to North Dakota that weekend. The rink was like a barn and it was very cold,” MacLachlan said.
“Our coaches were wearing winter clothing, hats and mittens. It was not an ideal environment to be in for playing hockey. We struggled. It was really challenging.
"So, it was nice to prove to them at the final in St. Louis that those earlier games weren’t our best games and that we are the better team. They have been our rivals for so many years. It's always nice to come out on top when it counts.”
The Sault College team’s success over the last three seasons has brought an even higher level of excitement to hockey-loving Sault Ste. Marie residents as well as personal recognition for MacLachlan and her teammates.
“Sometimes when I go out to a store, someone will see that I'm wearing my team jacket and they'll say, ‘oh my gosh, are you part of the team?’ and people will say ‘congratulations.’ I'm so grateful to be a part of something that's so special and the community is so supportive of our team.”
“I’m a ‘Soolebrity’ some people might say,” MacLachlan said with a laugh.
She began playing in the Sault Female Hockey Association (SFHA) at the age of six.
“I'm actually the only person in my family that plays hockey. It's something that I wanted to do. I would say my dad's definitely the one who inspired me to try out for those SFHA teams and to keep pushing myself to be a better athlete.”
A Superior Heights Collegiate graduate, MacLachlan began her post-secondary studies in Lake Superior State University’s Teacher Education program before transferring to Sault College. Upon graduation from Sault College later this spring she will have earned a bachelor of arts in secondary education.
Before transferring to Sault College and joining the Cougars, MacLachlan played for the LSSU Lakers women’s hockey team and was a member of a Central Collegiate Women’s Hockey Association championship-winning team.
Apart from playing competitive hockey for LSSU, MacLachlan maintained a 4.0 grade point average at the Sault Michigan post-secondary institution.
She joined the Sault College Cougars in early 2023 and was the team’s captain in 2024-25.
“I would definitely say being the captain is being a role model because I’m a little older than most of the girls. I’m in my fifth year of post-secondary and a lot of the girls are just coming out of high school,” said the 22-year-old MacLachlan.
She enjoys being a mentor.
“I show them what they need to do, what kind of energy they need to bring to the ice, what kind of work ethic they need to bring to our workouts.”
Her coach agrees.
“Her leadership helped pave the way for another successful season,” Cougars coach Brianne Shunock told SooToday.
MacLachlan said that apart from forming lasting friendships, hockey has prepared her for life.
“Playing hockey has helped me learn to deal with adversity, how to lead a group of people, how to connect with people and how to not give up when things get hard.”
She said that the rink was a place of solace for her on tough days.
“Whenever something bad was going on, it was good to go to my happy place, which was the rink. And, being with the team has given me an extra sense of belonging in the community,” MacLachlan said.
In 22 games in the 2024-25 Cougars season, MacLachlan scored four goals - including one power-play goal - and had 12 assists for a total of 16 points.
She was a co-winner of the Sault College athletics department’s Cougar Pride Award for 2024-25.
The award acknowledges athletes who positively represent Sault College and the varsity program while showing pride and dedication to their team.
“I'm so proud to be a part of such a successful team and without the support of the community and the college, we wouldn't be able to be as successful as we are,” MacLachlan said.
Looking ahead, apart from being a schoolteacher, she intends to continue playing in the Sault’s Women’s Hockey League as well as coaching in the Sault Female Hockey Association.
“I want to support athletes and to help them have that same experience I’ve had. It really builds people. I want to be a positive influence in other people's lives,” MacLachlan said.