CALGARY – Meghan Agosta has accomplished pretty much everything one can in women’s hockey.

Olympic gold on home ice in 2010 in Vancouver.

Most valuable player of those Olympics.

The first and only player in NCAA women’s hockey to reach 300 career points.

One of only three players ever to be named an All-American four times.

And, yet, Agosta, a forward on Canada’s national women’s team, knows there’s more for her in the game.

At just 24 years of age, Agosta hasn’t yet reached her peak in hockey. So, the best is yet to come.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games were Agosta’s breakthrough in women’s hockey.

Many people knew of her before… but everyone knew of her after.

Agosta scored nine goals, added six assists and led Team Canada to its greatest gold medal in Vancouver, thrusting women’s hockey to a level of popularity no one could imagine a few years ago.

And, now, with the 2011 IIHF World Women’s Championship looming, Agosta once again has the drive to lead her nation to gold.

“Every opportunity I have had to wear the Canadian jersey, there has been huge motivation for me,” says Agosta, on the phone from Montreal, just prior to Team Canada’s selection camp in Toronto. “Being able to represent Canada is not a right, it’s a privilege. If that doesn’t motivate you, I don’t know what does.”

What is exciting for Team Canada’s players, staff and fans may prove scary for their opponents. And that is that Agosta may be better this year than she was last.

She says 2010-11 was her best season at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania, a season which saw Agosta put up an astounding 86 points in 34 games. She was a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, handed out each year by USA Hockey Foundation to the top player in NCAA Division 1 women’s hockey.

But it isn’t the accolades that those in the know are paying attention to.

Just ask Ryan Walter.

The Team Canada head coach has spent a lot of time on the phone with Agosta this season focusing on her willingness to work hard and compete every practice and every game.

Sometimes, that is easier said than done for elite athletes.

“One of the things I would like from Meghan – and she is really committed to do this – is just a full-out effort all the time,” says Walter, in his first season as head coach of Team Canada.

“Sometimes, what we find with gifted offensive players is that there is a focus just on the offence and when that doesn’t go right, they feel that the rest of their game is not doing well. But that’s not true. You’re not going to score every night. Meghan and I have talked about her commitment to preparation and to focusing on bringing her best game every night, independent of if she scores or not.”

Those who follow women’s hockey know exactly what Walter is referring to. Some nights in the past, Agosta has appeared to score at will and completely control a game. Often, she has been the best player on the ice. On other nights, that drive and will haven’t been there.

Agosta is striving to be more of a consistent, all-around player. And one thing you will hear from her a lot is the focus on team.

Agosta cares not only about improving her game, but helping out her linemates and teammates.

Yes, Agosta is growing into a leadership role with Team Canada. She doesn’t wear a letter, but that doesn’t matter.

“I would love to be a leader,” she says. “I’m going to try and continue to help others, not only try and improve my game but try to help improve other girls’ games as well.

My idea of a leader is somebody who puts the team first, someone who cares about others. Even on the bad days, you have to… try to not show that you’re struggling. Even if you are, try to be that leader where you’re picking everybody up, even though you’re having your worst day.”

The great thing with Agosta is that, even on her worst day, she is still a threat on the ice.

Agosta and Team Canada open the 2011 IIHF World Women’s Championship on April 16 versus host Switzerland in Winterthur.

CHRIS JUREWICZ