A product of Stonewall’s local hockey system, Annaliese Meier has taken her game to the international stage — and is now part of a historic championship run in Spain.
Stonewall’s Annaliese Meier, right, is pictured with fellow Canadian imports Megan Norris and Courtney Kollman
The Stonewall native, who first laced up her skates at just five years old, played a key role in leading CH Puigcerdà to a landmark 2025–26 season. The club captured both the Liga Iberdrola de Hockey Hielo championship and the Copa de la Reina, marking the first league title in program history while continuing a dominant stretch in tournament play.
For Meier, the milestone season is the latest chapter in a hockey journey that began in the Interlake and has carried her across continents.
“I remember going from one rink to another when I was playing for the Stonewall Blues and the Sturgeon Heights Huskies,” she said. “One of my most memorable seasons was the year we won the Winnipeg Women’s High School championship in my Grade 10 year. We weren’t supposed to win that year — we were the underdogs — but we just kept grinding.”
That early lesson in perseverance and teamwork has stayed with her.
“That year, I realized how important a positive attitude and an all-in team effort were,” she said. “I’ve tried to carry that forward at every level.”
After developing through local programs, Meier advanced to the U SPORTS ranks with the University of Calgary Dinos, where she spent five seasons balancing the demands of high-level hockey with academics.
“University hockey was a new level of play,” she said. “It taught me how to balance academics with high-level hockey and really improved my time management.”
Following her university career — and the completion of both an undergraduate degree and a bachelor of education — Meier began exploring opportunities to continue playing the game she loves while pursuing her professional goals.
“When I was younger, I saw players from Canada going to Europe, and I always dreamed of that,” she said. “After graduating, I realized I could keep playing while also working toward a career in education.”
Her first stop overseas came in Germany during the 2024–25 season, where she adjusted to a new culture, language and style of play.
“The biggest adjustment was getting used to cultural norms and the language,” she said.
That experience helped ease the transition into her second season abroad, this time in Puigcerdà, Spain — a move that proved both comfortable and rewarding.
“This year was even better because it’s my second year living abroad,” Meier said. “The community in Puigcerdà has been very welcoming and made the adjustment easy.”
On the ice, Meier delivered a standout season, recording 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points in just 21 games. Her offensive production helped fuel a team that posted a 15-3 regular-season record before dominating in the playoffs.
Puigcerdà swept CH Jaca in the semifinals and went on to defeat SH Majadahonda in three straight games to secure the league title. The team followed that performance by capturing the Copa de la Reina, a final-four tournament, defeating CHH Txuri Urdin IHT before topping CH Jaca in the final.
According to Meier, the success was driven by a combination of skill, growth and a shared passion for the game.
“This year’s team just loved hockey,” she said. “We had four Canadian imports, and in Canada we’ve had access to a lot of development opportunities. We were able to share that with our teammates, and you could really see everyone improving week after week.”
The championship run carried significance well beyond the locker room, resonating deeply within the local community.
“It was pretty special,” Meier said. “It was more than just a championship for the team — it was for the entire community.”
Support from fans was evident throughout the playoffs, with some travelling long distances to cheer on the team.
“Some families drive five hours one way to watch us play,” she said. “When we came back after winning, the whole town came out to welcome us. Then, on the Monday, the town shut down for a parade.”
The playoff atmosphere, she added, was electric.
“There were lots of our team colours — black and yellow — in the stands,” she said.
While the European game has its differences, Meier has embraced both the style of play and her evolving role within it. She noted that her focus has shifted in recent years toward helping teammates grow and contributing to team success in a broader sense.
“I really try to help the other players develop,” she said.
Off the ice, her international experience has also opened doors professionally and culturally. In addition to playing, Meier has been teaching English and continuing to build connections within her community.
“I’ve been able to practise my French, teach English and learn some Spanish and German,” she said.
Despite the distance from home, Meier said she remains closely connected to her roots in Stonewall and takes pride in representing her hometown abroad.
“I’m proud of the opportunities I had growing up in Stonewall,” she said. “It’s allowed me to travel the world.”
She added that hockey’s global network has made the experience even more meaningful.
“The hockey community is small — no matter where you go, you know someone,” she said. “I have friends in a lot of countries, and some of my former Dinos teammates are also playing in Europe, so we get to connect when we can.”
Looking ahead, Meier hopes to continue building both her hockey and teaching careers, with a goal of securing a full-time role in education while remaining involved in the sport.
For young players back home with similar aspirations, her advice is simple.
“Dream big and don’t let obstacles get in your way,” she said. “My mom always encouraged us to go through doors and embrace new opportunities.”
For Meier, it’s proof that a small-town start can lead to the world stage — and that the journey is far from over.
