Warwick Township native Meagan Aarts has been hailed as a “gritty Ontario farmer” who helped new standards for hockey at the University of Maine.

Aarts, who grew up on a farm near Watford, was honoured by the UMaine Black Bears Women’s Hockey Team Sept. 26 as she was inducted into the university’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Aarts played minor hockey in Lambton and caught the eye of recruiters including Maine’s coach, Rick Filighera. Between 2000 and 2004, Aarts set a program scoring record with 61 goals and 54 assists for 115 points, a mark that stood for 16 seasons. Aarts helped the Black Bears make two appearances in the Hockey East semifinals in 2003 and 2004 and capped her college career by earning all-conference, first-team recognition.

Filighera, in an article on the university’s website, said Aarts had grit and determination. “Back then, you had girls that played hockey and you had hockey players,” he said. “She was a hockey player and she did not like to lose.”

Aarts went on to play professionally in Switzerland, the CWHL, and the NWHL, and was part of the 2014 Clarkson Cup championship team with the Toronto Furies.

Aarts and her family were at the University of Maine for the induction ceremony UMaine and was honoured at the university football game Sept. 26. Warwick Township council offered its congratulations and plans a celebration for Aarts in the future.