Goal-den
Addition

Rojo brings high-level
skill set to Penguins

Feb. 5, 2010, 1 a.m.

  The Plymouth-Canton-Salem Penguins' season of resurgence  has been fueled by several first-year players and a group of skaters who have returned to the team following a two-year absence.

  One of the pivotal first-year players has been Salem junior Mallory Rojo, who previously played for a series of high-level travel teams, most notably Victory Honda last season.

  "Mallory is a very good player," said first-year Penguins' coach Mary Beth Johnson.  "I can always count on her when she's on the ice -- both offensively and defensively. Once she gets going, she can really put the puck in the net."

  Johnson raved about Rojo's offensive skills.

  "She's a quick skater with quick hands," Johnson said.  "She's got a sense about how to score, and she gets back on defense, too."

  Rojo, who also plays tennis for Salem, took a few minutes out of her day last week to speak with PlymouthCantonSports.com's Ed Wright.

  ED WRIGHT: When did you start playing hockey?

  MALLORY ROJO: Probably about eight years ago. I saw some girls skating and right away I wanted to try it. My dad really likes hockey, too, so that helped (smile).

  EW: What do your friends think about you playing hockey?

  MR: At first, they didn't believe me (smile) because I'm kind of a girly-girl. They didn't believe me until they finally came and watched me play.

  EW: What are some of your early memories of hockey when you were just starting out?

  MR: I was a little scared at first because it was such a physical sport and even though there's no checking, there's still contact. But after a while, I loved it.

  EW: What do you like best about hockey?

  MR: I'm very competitive and I've made a lot of friends through playing it.

  EW: Why did you decide to switch from travel hockey to high school hockey this year?

  MR: There isn't as much demand on your time with high school hockey, so you have more time for schoolwork. All the girls on the team are nice and friendly, and we have a very good coaching staff. It's fun playing for your school.

  EW: Would you like to play hockey after high school?

  MR: I know the coach at Michigan, so that would be cool. But I don't know what will happen. I know I want to keep playing somehow. I'd miss it too much if I didn't play.

  (NOTE: Rojo, who missed much of the early part of the season, scored a pair of goals in Monday's 4-2 victory over Farmington Hills Mercy.)