Megan Gallagher Continues Her Sporting Passion At Northwestern University

By Ross Forman
Megan Gallagher has put her skates aside as she heads to Northwestern University this fall as a freshman after back-to-back Illinois High School Hockey State Championships at New Trier, including the 2026 state final MVP.

“My career highlight was winning the state championship my senior year. It was our team’s goal all season to win back-to-back state championships, and it was such a fun game, being able to play in front of my family and friends,” she said. “I went in (to the final) knowing that it would be not only my last game but the last time I (got) to play with teammates who I have played with for years, so I tried to leave everything on the ice. It was a great feeling seeing that pay off with a victory and two points. I am proud of how that game went and how I played; it was such a great way to end an incredible 12 years of youth hockey.”

A forward, Gallagher’s career also included time playing for the Winnetka Warriors, Northshore Warhawks and Chicago Young. She sported jersey No. 48 – the number she was assigned as a Winnetka squirt.

As a senior, she was one of New Trier’s three captains. With the Northshore 
Warhawks, she was a two-time state runner-up and attended the USA Hockey Nationals in 2023. Gallagher also attended the USA Hockey Central District Camp in 2022 and was invited to the NIHL All-Star Game in 2024.

“I was an offensive-minded forward who was both a goal scorer and playmaker. I have always had a strong nose for the goal and felt I was a good skater and puck handler, which helped me create opportunities for offense,” she said. “Whether putting pucks on net or setting my linemates up for better opportunities, I took pride in being a threat on offense and taking care of the puck. 

“My personal hockey highlight was going to nationals in Anaheim, Calif., with my team in 2023. We put in so much work that season to get to nationals, so it felt good seeing it pay off when we got the bid. The actual tournament was so fun and the games were super competitive; we spent time swimming in the hotel pools and eating at a nearby food market and even went to Disneyland to cap off the trip. It was such a special group to be a part of, and it was a great way to end an amazing season.”

Winning state as a senior was amazing, obviously. New Trier defeated Fenwick for the title. “Everyone played hard throughout the game and left it all on the ice,” she said. “For me, I knew it would be my last game, so I went out and gave it all I had. It was nice to have two points in that game. At the end of the game, Coach Ben (Piskor) put all six seniors on the ice, so it was really cool for us to all be out there one last time until the final buzzer. 

“That was a great way to end my hockey career and that season.”

Now her sporting future is lacrosse, as she will play for the perennial power Wildcats.

“I am incredibly grateful to be playing lacrosse at the Division I level at my dream school. I had long been a fan of Northwestern lacrosse, being a lacrosse player from the Chicago-land area,” she said. “Being able to play for my hometown team is such an honor. This opportunity represents years of hard work, sacrifice and support from my family, coaches and teammates. It represents flying out every single weekend in the summer to the east coast to play against the best competition, the countless hours spent playing ‘wall ball,’ and all the extra shots I’ve taken in hopes of becoming better. 

“Knowing that I am so lucky to have this opportunity motivates me to make the most out of what I’ve been given as a student-athlete.”

Gallagher, 17, who lives in Northfield, played four years of varsity lacrosse at New Trier. And she was a lacrosse state champion as a junior – the highlight of her lacrosse career.

“The (lacrosse) team worked so hard to capture a state title. Our team’s saying was ‘play 
as one,’ and we definitely did that, playing for the girls next to us for a shared goal,” she said. “In the state playoffs, we (trailed) Hinsdale Central 5-1 before coming back in the 
final minute to force overtime; In the state championship, we beat Loyola 9-8 in 
overtime. The whole state weekend was so exciting, as I got to play two amazing, 
action-filled games with my best friends.

“Hockey has helped my hand-to-eye coordination and reaction time for lacrosse since it’s such a fast game. It has also given me confidence to carry the ball up the field under pressure and fight for ground balls, as it’s taught me to embrace pressure from defenders and be able to protect my stick with my body positioning and dodges. Hockey has also helped me make quicker decisions on the clear since you only have so much time on the ice to either pass the puck or keep it before another player gets on you.

“Being a lacrosse goalie has helped my shooting tremendously in hockey. Being able to go into a game and understand goalie positioning has helped me find the back of the net more often. Lacrosse is also a game of possession, so that mindset has helped me in hockey, as it’s taught me to always look for the best play, as having possession of the puck or ball can win games.”

Gallagher added: “Hockey played a major role in helping me reach the next level in lacrosse. It improved my overall athleticism by developing my speed, hand-to-eye coordination, competitiveness and ability to read the game. Many of the instincts I developed on the ice, such as making quick decisions under pressure and anticipating plays, translated directly to the lacrosse field. My hockey background has made me the goalie I am today. Beyond physical skills, hockey has prepared me for the demands of competing as a Division I student-athlete. 

“Balancing a 60-game hockey season with year-round lacrosse while maintaining strong 
grades required time management, a strong work ethic and tons of discipline. Learning how to manage my schedule and perform my best either on the field, ice, or in the classroom has helped me build the necessary traits student-athletes need to succeed.”

Gallagher is one of two New Trier hockey players from this past season earning a 
Division I lacrosse scholarship. “I’m really honored,” she said. “Both myself and the other player, Evan Pagliaro, have played hockey with each other since we were 9 years old. In middle school, we both started lacrosse while simultaneously playing hockey. We come from very similar athletic backgrounds, so it’s really cool to see another hockey-lacrosse multi-sport athlete furthering their athletic career. Sometimes, it feels isolating to be a multi-sport athlete since most girls I play hockey and lacrosse with only play one sport.”

Gallagher said, yes, she will miss hockey. “It’s hard to imagine a fall not spent at the rink. My falls have been defined by practices during the week and games/tournaments over the weekend, so it will be weird not to be playing hockey this fall,” she said.

“I’ve made some of my best friends through hockey, and still talk to my former teammates, whether being girls I played U10 with, my New Trier Teammates, or my Warhawk teammates. I’ve met and played with so many amazing people (through) hockey, so I will miss all the time I got to spend with them at practice, in the locker room, or at games.”

But at least her final hockey memory was a state championship.

“I’m so proud of the team for winning the 2026 state championship,” Gallagher said. “After winning last year’s game, we knew that every team in the state would come after us hard and that we would have a target on our back. Nothing this year came easy because of that, and we did have some tough losses we had to work through. We were just so resilient to make it to that final game, and many different girls stepped up to find a way to win. I am so proud of the fight out of every girl on the team. 

“I was so honored to be named the state championship MVP. There were so many great players on the ice, so it felt amazing hearing my name called and recognized for all the work I put in during that game. I was so grateful to get it because I knew I wouldn’t have gotten to that point without the network of support behind me – my dad, my family, all my friends who went to cheer me on, and all the coaches who have supported me throughout my hockey journey. It was really cool to be recognized during my final game as a hockey player, and I am so honored to be given the MVP award.”

Slapshots With … Former New Trier Forward Megan Gallagher

One Moment: “During a 2022 tournament, my Warhawks team was tied with an Alaskan Team (late) in the third period, 0-0. We were really struggling to get pucks on goal and find the back of the net. I stepped on the ice and picked up the puck in the offensive zone off the boards, skated past two defensemen, and deked the goalie to my forehand with a minute left in the game. It was such a cool goal, and my whole team was cheering so loud when I got to the bench. I will never forget this moment.”
Off The Ice: Enjoys golfing, pickleball, and spending time with friends and family. 
Superstitions On The Ice: “I always put my gear on left to right and shoot three pucks at 
warmups at the end. I also drive to every game with my dad, listening to the same music.”
Long-term Career Goals: “I am studying economics and hope to do something 
finance related.”
Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks 
Favorite NHL Players: Connor Bedard and Patrick Kane 
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Miracle 
Favorite TV Show: Suits 
Motivational Song: Everlong by the Foo Fighters 
Favorite Pre-game Meal: Pasta 
Favorite app: Instagram 
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Fernando Mendoza 
Favorite High School Hockey Uniform (other than New Trier): Chicago Central