By: Ali Swift

Myfanwy Thomson’s undergraduate years at St. Thomas University were a combination of both athletic and academic excellence. After four years as a Tommie, Thomson graduated in 2017 with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice as well as a minor in psychology and after hanging up her skates, she is currently pursuing a Masters of Criminology at Simon Fraser University, across the country in Burnaby, B.C.

Studying and playing hockey at St. Thomas has made Thomson an expert at balancing coursework and co-curricular activities. Thomson is currently holding positions as a teaching assistant and a research assistant on two separate projects, all during her first year of the program at Simon Fraser.  While working on one of these projects with her professors, she has written a literary review for a paper that’s on-track to being presented at the International Conference on Advances in Social Networks Analysis and Mining in Barcelona this coming August. The article, titled “Hackers Hedging Bets: A Cross-Community Analysis of Three Online Hacking Forums,” looks to create a typology of hacker post-behaviour through the lens of three hacking forums.

At St. Thomas, Thomson wasn’t only known for her academic excellence, but her skills on the ice too. The Stittsville, ON, resident joined the Tommies in 2013 and was a valuable asset throughout her four years accumulating 16 goals, 36 assists and was +4 over her 95 career games.

“Myf played an important role on our team helping us to advance to the CIS Nationals twice,” says head hockey coach Peter Murphy. “She was a highly skilled player and took great pride in the defensive side of her game. She was one of the best penalty killers we have ever had.”

Thomson holds fond memories of her university experience and of the skills she learned in her undergrad. Her time at St. Thomas, with both the hockey team and the honors program, she recalls, taught her valuable lessons that she carries with her into her life post-grad.

“The honours program was really important because it demanded accountability and anticipation,” Thomson says. “I found that coming up with solutions to issues is almost always more valuable than simply pointing out issues. Collaboration is really important.”

Academics have always been of great importance to Myfanwy, and after four years as her head coach, Murphy isn’t surprised to see her success after her years at St. Thomas. “What impressed me most with Myf was her focus on her academics and ensuring she excelled both on and off the ice.  There was never any doubt she would be successful in whatever post graduate program she undertook.  She is a great representative of the women’s hockey program but also St. Thomas University.”

As Myfanwy works towards completing her graduate program at Simon Fraser University, she continues to embody the values and spirit of a St. Thomas student.

“Once a Tommie, Always a Tommie.”