Shannon Szabados, left, could replace veteran Kim St. Pierre as Canada's starting goalie by the time the 2010 Vancouver Olympics roll around. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)

Remember the name Shannon Szabados - it's possible the Canadian women's team will be pinning its gold-medal hopes on the ambitious goaltender at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Edmonton native Szabados, 20, is with Fort Saskatchewan Traders of the men's Alberta Junior Hockey League. In her spectacular debut for Team Canada's women's team at last month's Four Nations Cup, she made 16 saves in a 3-0 win over the United States, the Torino Olympics' bronze medallist.

Three days later, the five-foot-eight, 147-pound netminder stopped 20 of 21 shots in an 8-1 victory over Finland at the tournament in Kitchener, Ont.

Coach Melody Davidson went with veteran netminder Kim St. Pierre in the final against the Americans that Canada won 5-2, but Szabados's two victories paved the way for the Canadians to reach that gold-medal game.

"It was something else. Coming into the tournament I didn't really know what to expect," Szabados told CBC Sports Online. "I was hoping to get in the game, maybe, and then Mel told me a day or two before that I was going to start the first game of the tournament, on [network TV] against the United States. I was pretty nervous, but it went OK."

It went more than "OK," according to most observers. Szabados made two keys stops, foiling Natalie Darwitz with a slick pad save in the sixth minute during a two-man disadvantage, and later denied Krissy Wendell in the third period.

"I talked to Mel, the goalie coach - the players were happy I got that first win under my belt. They were happy for me," she said.

Feeds off women veterans' advice

Despite her stellar play at the Four Nations, Szabados won't be at the 2007 women's world hockey championship in Winnipeg because of a scheduling conflict. The tournament is in April, the same time Szabados will be playing for Fort Saskatchewan in the AJHL playoffs.

"My coaches at Fort Saskatchewan and the Team Canada coaches talked about it before the season and decided this year wasn't the best year for me to go," explained Szabados.

"It's too bad, but at the same time it's my last year in junior and I think we have the team to go all the way. Mel and the Team Canada coaching staff were pretty supportive in that way. Mel actually coaches in my league, she coaches the Calgary Canucks, so she knows where I'm coming from."

Szabados, in her fifth season in the AJHL for male players ages 16 to 20, is in her first year with Fort Saskatchewan - she was traded to the team from the Bonnyville Pontiacs in September - and she's a major reason the Traders top the North Division.

A third-year physical education major at the University of Alberta, she used the Four Nations Cup to learn from the team's veteran players.

"I talked to Kim [St. Pierre] before that first game and asked her what to expect. I never played in a game with TV timeouts, so I wasn't sure what to do during the timeouts. She settled me down.

"I also talked to some of the older players like [Danielle] Goyette and [Hayley] Wickenheiser and they gave me some good advice. I went there wanting to take something out of it, so I made sure I took as much from the players as I could," said Szabados.

Faces stiff competition in net

Canada is especially deep at the goaltender position - veterans St. Pierre and Sami Jo Small, and youngster Charline Labonte have had a vice-like grip on the top three spots for the past few years.

Szabados and Laura Hosier, also 20, are down the depth chart, but while coach Davidson made no specific promises, she told Szabados she could have a bright future with Team Canada if she continues to work hard.

"I'd like to think [I'm in their plans for the 2010 Olympics] but nothing's guaranteed after one tournament. It's three years away, so I have a lot more work to do," admitted Szabados.

In the AJHL, Szabados sports an impressive 18-5-2 record (accounting for all but six of the Traders' victories) and leads the league in wins, while ranking fourth in goals-against average (2.30) and minutes played (1,510), and third in save percentage (.914)

Because of age restrictions, this will be Szabados's last AJHL season. She's uncertain about her future, whether to keep playing with the men or commit full time to women's hockey.

"I wouldn't mind staying with the men, but there will come a day when I need to make the switch and whether it's next year or a couple of years from now, I'm not exactly sure. We'll see how I finish the season out and see what offers I get and go from there," said Szabados.

Teammates 'best friends for the season'

Szabados has been the target of frequent sexist comments from fans and players in the AJHL over the past few years. Instead of trading insults, she has answered critics with her solid goaltending skills.

"There's always going to be remarks off the ice, on the ice, from people. I think it's got better - this is my fifth year in the Alberta Junior League. When I first started people weren't too sure and they thought I was a publicity stunt or whatever.

"I heard a lot about it then, but as I've grown up in the league it's got a lot better. There's still the odd fan here or there that likes to make sure I'm a female and get on my case about it."

Her teammates have also been very supportive.

"I couldn't ask for a greater group of guys to play with. I see them more than my family, so they're very supportive, and there's a big group of us that hang out every day on and off the ice. They're my best friends for the season," said Szabados.