Līga Miljone

Latvian ice hockey player

Ice hockey player
Līga Miljone
Born (1997-03-20) March 20, 1997 (age 27)
Rīga, Latvia
Height 155 cm (5 ft 1 in)
Weight 56 kg (123 lb; 8 st 11 lb)
Position Right Wing
Shoots Left
NCAA team
Former teams		 Maine Black Bears
CH Jaca
Leksands IF
Modo Hockey
SHK Laima Rīga
National team  Latvia
Playing career 2007–present

Līga Miljone (born March 20, 1997) is a Latvian ice hockey player. Miljone has been a member of Latvian national team since 2013 and has participated in nine IIHF Women's World Championships at the Division IA, IB, and IIA levels.[1]

Miljone has played three seasons (2018–2021) with Maine Black Bears in the Hockey East conference of the NCAA Division I.[2] Prior to her college ice hockey career, Miljone played five seasons in the Swedish Women's Hockey League (SDHL), spending two seasons with Modo Hockey Dam (2013–2015) and three seasons with Leksands IF Dam (2015–2018).

During 2022–2023 season Miljone played for CH Jaca in La Liga Nacional de Hockey Hielo femenina (LNHH).

Miljone and her mother, Inese Geca-Miljone, made history as the first mother-daughter duo to play in the same IIHF World Women's Championship, first appearing together at the 2013 Division IA tournament,[3] and again in 2014[4] and 2016.[5] At the 2017 IIHF Women's World Championship they represented Latvia as player and coach.[6]

Playing career

Miljone participated in the IIHF European Women's Champions Cup (EWCC) in 2013 with SHK Laima Rīga.[7] The fifteen year old lead the team with a total of 3 points in three games, recording 2 points (1 goal+1 assist) against Vålerenga Ishockey and netting Laima's lone goal against Hvidovre IK.[8][9] Laima lost all three round robin games in the first round and did not progress in the tournament.

SDHL

For the 2013–14 season, Miljone moved from her native Latvia to Örnsköldsvik, Sweden in order to play with Modo Hockey Dam of the Riksserien (renamed SDHL in 2015). She joined an impressive roster, which included players from the Swedish, Finnish, and Norwegian national teams, under the captaincy of Erika Grahm, with Emma Nordin and Johanna Olofsson serving as alternates. Miljone recorded 9 points (4+5) in 27 games during her rookie campaign, good for 11th in team scoring despite being the youngest regularly rostered player. Modo Hockey finished the regular season in first place and went on to the 2014 SDHL finals, where they settled for Swedish Championship silver medals after falling to Linköping HC Dam. Miljone followed up her rookie season with 12 points (4+8) in 32 games in her second season with Modo Hockey.

In the 2015–16 SDHL season Miljone left Modo to sign with Leksands IF Dam. She posted 5 goals and 5 assists (10 points) in 29 games. In 2016–17, Miljone scored 11 goals and 9 assists, her highest scoring SDHL season. Miljone was ranked second for scoring on Leksands IF with a total of 20 points. In the 2017–18 SDHL season, Miljone posted 8 goals and 8 assists in 30 games.

NCAA

For the 2018–19 season, Miljone moved from Sweden to Maine, United States of America to play with Maine Black Bears of the NCAA Division I Hockey East. Miljone recorded 12 points (3+9) in 27 games during her rookie campaign and scored her first collegiate goal in her second collegiate game. Miljone followed up her rookie season with 28 points (10+18) in 37 games in her second season with Maine Black Bears. Miljone was ranked third on Maine Black Bears with 10 goals, 89 shots, 43 blocked shots, and ranked second on the team with 18 assists. Maine Black Bears beat Boston University in quarterfinals in best-of-3 and played in Hockey East semifinals for the second time in Maine Black Bears history. In 2020–21 season, Miljone posted 1 goal and 2 assists, and was ranked fifth on team with 19 blocked shots in only 10 games. Maine Black Bears made it to Hockey East semifinals for the third time in Maine Black Bears history.

Liga Iberdrola

For the 2022–23 season, Miljone moved from United States of America to Jaca, Spain, to play with Club Hielo Jaca of the La Liga Nacional de Hockey Hielo femenina. During regular season Miljone recorded 32 goals and 12 assists in 12 games, followed up by an 8 game playoff performance of 8 goals and 10 assists. Totally Miljone tallied 62 points (40+22) in 20 games. CH Jaca went on to win La Liga Nacional de Hockey Hielo femenino league and became champions.[10]

International play

Miljone first played in an IIHF tournament in 2013 when she joined the Latvian national team at the 2013 IIHF Women's World Championship Division I Group A in Stavanger, Norway. Remarkably making history with her mother Inese Geca-Miljone as first mother-daughter duo playing in an IIHF tournament.[11] Miljone was named the best Latvian player of the game after scoring her first goal in the national team against Norway. The sixteen year old led Latvian national team with 4 points (3+1) in 5 games and was recognized as the best player of Latvian national team at the 2013 IIHF Women's World Championship Division I.[12]

In 2014 IIHF Women's World Championship Division I Group B games in Ventspils, Latvia, Miljone posted with 3 goals and 3 assists in only 2 games, and was named the best Latvian player of the game against Hungary. Latvian national team finished the tournament with gold medals.[13]

In 2015 IIHF Women's World Championship Division I Group A in Rouen, France, Miljone led Latvian national team with 3 points (2+1) in 5 games, and was named the best Latvian player of the game against Denmark.

In 2016 IIHF Women's World Championship Division I Group B in Asiago, Italy, Miljone posted 7 goals in 5 games. Miljone scored her first hat-trick in Latvian national team in only 9 minutes and 24 seconds in the tournaments first game against Kazakhstan,[14] and was named the best Latvian player of the game. Miljone led the tournament with most goals and was named the best player of Latvian national team at the 2016 IIHF Women's World Championship Division I tournament.[15] Latvian national team finished the tournament with silver medals.[16]

Miljone had a career-high 10 point IIHF tournament in 2017 IIHF Women's World Championship Division I Group B in Katowice, Poland. Miljone posted her second career hat-trick in Latvian national team in the first game of the tournament,[17] and was named the best Latvian player of the game against China. Miljone posted 5 goals and 5 assists in 5 games, earning the 2017 IIHF Women's World Championship Division I Group B best forward award.[18] Latvian national team finished the tournament with bronze medals.[19]

In 2018 IIHF Women's World Championship Division I Group B in Asiago, Italy, Miljone posted 2 goals and 2 assists in 5 games, and was named the best Latvian player of the game against China. Latvian national team finished the tournament with bronze medals.[20]

In 2019 IIHF Women's World Championship Division I Group B games in Beijing, China, Miljone posted 1 goal in 4 games. Miljone was named the best Latvian player of the game against Netherlands.

In 2022 IIHF Women's World Championship Division II Group A games in Jaca, Spain, Miljone led Latvian national team with 7 points (5+2) in 4 games. She was named the best Latvian player of the game against Mexico and posted her third career hat-trick in Latvian national team in the game against Chinese Taipei.[21][22] Miljone led the tournament with most goals (5)[23] and most points (7),[24] and was named the best player of Latvian national team and the best forward at the 2022 IIHF Women's World Championship Division II tournament.[25][26] Latvian national team finished the tournament with silver medals.[27]

Miljone had her second best career-high 9 point IIHF tournament in 2023 IIHF Women's World Championship Division II Group A in Mexico City, Mexico. Miljone posted 7 goals and 2 assists in 4 games, earning the 2023 IIHF Women's World Championship Division II Group A best forward award,[28] and once again led the tournament with most goals (7)[29] and most points (9).[30] Latvian national team under the captaincy of Miljone finished the tournament with gold medals.[31][32]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League Result GP G A Pts GP G A Pts
2009–2010 SHK Laima OBWIC 17 15 32
2010–2011 SHK Laima OBWIC 15 17 32
2011–2012 HS Rīga III LBJČH U14 5th 8 13 20 33 14 9 12 21
2011–2012 HS Rīga LBJČH U16 5th 3 0 0 0
2011–2012 SHK Laima OBWIC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 11 12 9 21
2012–2013 Women's National Team LBJČH U16 8th 4 4 5 9 6 1 4 5
2012–2013 HS Rīga III LBJČH U14 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 8 12 20 32 14 10 18 28
2012–2013 SHK Laima OBWIC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 4 7 5 12
LBJČH U14 totals 16 25 40 65 28 19 30 49
LBJČH U16 totals 7 4 5 9 6 1 4 5
OBWIC totals 15 51 46 97


Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League Result GP G A Pts GP G A Pts
2013–2014 Modo Hockey SDHL 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 27 4 5 9 3 0 0 0
2014–2015 Modo Hockey SDHL 4th 27 4 7 11 5 0 1 1
2015–2016 Leksands IF SDHL 5th 27 5 5 10 2 0 0 0
2016–2017 Leksands IF SDHL 7th 33 11 9 20 2 0 0 0
2017–2018 Leksands IF SDHL 6th 28 8 7 15 2 0 1 1
2018–2019 Maine Black Bears NCAA 9th 27 3 9 12
2019–2020 Maine Black Bears NCAA 7th 34 10 18 28 3 0 0 0
2020–2021 Maine Black Bears NCAA 7th 10 1 2 3
2022–2023 CH Jaca LNHHF 1st place, gold medalist(s) 12 32 12 44 8 8 10 18
SDHL totals 142 32 33 65 14 0 2 2
NCAA totals 71 14 29 43 3 0 0 0

European Women's Champions Cup

Year Team Event GP G A Pts
2013 Laima Riga EWCC 3 2 1 3

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts
2013 Latvia WW D1A 6th 5 3 1 4
2014 Latvia WW D1B 1st place, gold medalist(s) 3 3 3 6
2015 Latvia WW D1A 6th 5 2 1 3
2016 Latvia WW D1B 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 5 7 0 7
2016 Latvia OGQ DNQ 3 2 2 4
2017 Latvia WW D1B 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 5 5 5 10
2018 Latvia WW D1B 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 5 2 2 4
2019 Latvia WW D1B 6th 4 1 0 1
2022 Latvia WW D2A 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 4 5 2 7
2023 Latvia WW D2A 1st place, gold medalist(s) 4 7 2 9
Senior totals 43 37 18 55

Awards and honours

Award Year
International
IIHF Women's World Championship Division IA – Best Latvian player of the game 2013, 2015 [33][34]
IIHF Women's World Championship Division IA – Top Player on Team 2013 [35]
IIHF Women's World Championship Division IB – Best Latvian player of the game 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 [36][37][38]
[39][40]
IIHF Women's World Championship Division IB – Top Player on Team 2016 [41]
IIHF Women's World Championship Division IB – Best Forward 2017 [42]
IIHF Women's World Championship Division IB – Most Goals 2016 [43]
IIHF Women's World Championship Division IIA – Best Latvian player of the game 2022 [44]
IIHF Women's World Championship Division IIA – Top Player on Team 2022 [45]
IIHF Women's World Championship Division IIA – Best Forward 2022, 2023 [46][47]
IIHF Women's World Championship Division IIA – Most Goals 2022, 2023 [48][49]
IIHF Women's World Championship Division IIA – Most Points 2022, 2023 [50][51]

References

  1. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 7, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  2. ^ "Maine Black Bears". University of Maine Athletics. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  3. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). IIHF. April 7, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  4. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). IIHF. April 5, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  5. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). IIHF. April 3, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  6. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). stats.iihf.com. IIHF. April 7, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  7. ^ "2013 EWCC". Swedish Ice Hockey Association. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  8. ^ "2013 EWCC". Swedish Ice Hockey Association. October 20, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  9. ^ "2013 EWCC". Swedish Ice Hockey Association. October 21, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  10. ^ "LNHH". March 12, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  11. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 4, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  12. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 13, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  13. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 12, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  14. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 4, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  15. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 10, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  16. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 10, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  17. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 8, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  18. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 14, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  19. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 14, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  20. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 14, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  21. ^ "IIHF". April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  22. ^ "IIHF". April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  23. ^ "IIHF". April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  24. ^ "IIHF". April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  25. ^ "IIHF". April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  26. ^ "IIHF". April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  27. ^ "IIHF". April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  28. ^ "IIHF". April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  29. ^ "IIHF". April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  30. ^ "IIHF". April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  31. ^ "IIHF". April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  32. ^ "IIHF". April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  33. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 13, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  34. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 18, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  35. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 13, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  36. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 12, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  37. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 10, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  38. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 14, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  39. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 14, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  40. ^ "IIHF". April 10, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  41. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 10, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  42. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 14, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  43. ^ "IIHF" (PDF). April 10, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  44. ^ "IIHF". April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  45. ^ "IIHF". April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  46. ^ "IIHF". April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  47. ^ "IIHF". April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  48. ^ "IIHF". April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  49. ^ "IIHF". April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  50. ^ "IIHF". April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  51. ^ "IIHF". April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.

External links

  • Biographical information and career statistics from Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com
  • Līga Miljone at the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation (in Latvian)
  • Līga Miljone at the University of Maine Athletics
  • Līga Miljone at USCHO.com
  • v
  • t
  • e
Maine Black Bears women's ice hockey
Arenas
Conference
Coaches
  • Rick Filighera (1997–2004)
  • Guy Perron (2004–06)
  • Lauren Steblen (2006–07)
  • Dan Lichterman (2007–10)
  • Maria Lewis (2010–13)
  • Richard Reichenbach (2013–present)
All-time leaders
  • Karen Droog (74 goals)
  • Vanessa Vani (63 assists)
  • Meagan Aarts, Vanessa Vani (115 points)
  • Brooke Stacey, 134 games
  • Brittany Ott (32 wins)
  • Genevieve Turgeon (2948 saves)
  • Amanda Cronin, Meghann Tracy (9 shutouts)
Seasons
Olympians