GRAND FORKS, N.D – The weekend of Oct. 12-13 is not just another typical weekend for the North Dakota women's hockey team. While UND does host Minnesota Duluth for a two-game series, the weekend also marks the third-annual International Ice Hockey Federation's World Girls' Ice Hockey Weekend.
The IIHF names one weekend each year to help increase the promotion of female hockey around the world.
UND women's hockey team features players from all around the world, and eight players representing seven different countries took time to reflect on their hockey careers as the 2013 World Girls' Ice Hockey Weekend approaches.
Click on one of the links below to read the answers from UND women's hockey players:
Michelle Karvinen • Rødovre, Denmark (Danish and English)
Becca Kohler • St. Thomas, Ontario (English)
Andrea Dalen • Hønefoss, Norway (Norwegian and English)
Tanja Eisenschmid • Kaufbeuren, Germany (German and English)
Johanna Fallman • Lulea, Sweden (Swedish and English)
Gracen Hirschy • Fort Wayne, Ind. (English)
Susanna Tapani • Laitala, Finland (Finnish and English)
Josefine Jakobsen • Åalborg, Denmark (Danish and English)
Michelle Karvinen • Rødovre, Denmark
How old were you when you started playing hockey, and how did you initially start playing hockey?
Jeg startede med at spille da jeg var omkring 3 år gammel, jeg startede med at spille hockey på grund af min storebror jeg ville gerne være som ham. Min store bror har altid været mit forbillede, ikke kun som hockey spiller men også som person. Han er min bedste ven, vi træner stadig hver summer sammen.
I started playing when I was about 3 years old, I started because I wanted to be like my big brother. He has always been a role model for me, not just as a hockey player, but also how he is as person. He is my best friend and we still train together every summer.
How has playing hockey impacted your life?
Hockey har altid været en kæmpe del af mit liv siden jeg var helt lille, det har ikke kun haft indflydelse på mig, men hele min familie. Der har været mange ting jeg har måtte sige fra, men det er en del af at være hockey spiller. Med det sagt, jeg har fået så mange ting ud af a være hockey spiller, det bedste er at jeg har fået lov til at rejse verdenen rundt og endda bo forskellige steder.
Hockey has always been a big part of my life since I was little, it has influenced, not just me, but my whole family. There are many things I have had to say no to, but that's a part of being a hockey player. With that being said, I have gotten so many things out of being a hockey player, the best part is that I've been able to travel around the world and even live in different places.
What does it mean to you to see the sport of women's hockey grow in your country, and why would you suggest young girls in your country to start playing it?
Jeg er halv dansk, halv finsk og valgte at spille for Finland fordi jeg havde muligheder for flere ting med Finland. Der har i Finland de sidste 5 år været en voksene antal af pige spiller og det er fantastisk at se. Da jeg var lille og voksede op i Danmark var der ikke mulighed for at spille med piger, for der var ikke nogen hold, så det er fantastisk at se at det vokser i hele Europa.
I am half Danish and half Finnish and choose to play for Finland because I have had more possibilities with them. In Finland there has been a growing numbers of girl players for the past 5 years and that is amazing to see the development, because when I was little growing up in Denmark I had no opportunity to play for a girls' team because there weren't any. So to see the progression around Europe is amazing. Also seeing my home country Denmark do so well at the Olympic qualification, is something that I am especially happy to see and it is going be very important for the future development in Denmark.
How has playing Div. I hockey at North Dakota has made you a better player, and what do you like about playing at North Dakota?
Jeg kom til North Dakota fordi jeg vidste der var en mulighed for at være en del af noget unikt, klubben kulturen og byen støtte er noget der gør det noget helt specielt at være en del af. Jeg vidste at det ville være et sted der ville skubbe mig ud og mine egne grænser og udfordre mig selv til at blive en bedre og mere komplet hockey spiller. Det har presset mig hver dag til at blive en bedre hockey spiller men også uden for isen. De muligheder jeg har fået her er ikke noget jeg har kunne få nogen andre steder, den hjælp og støtte vi for alle de mennesker der er omkring holdet men også udenfor isen, har givet mig muligheden for selv at blive mit bedste som hockey spiller og person.
I came to North Dakota because I knew there was a possibility for me to be a part of building something unique, the program's culture and town's support is something that makes this very special to be a part of. I knew it would be a place that would push me over my boundaries and challenge myself to become better and a more complete hockey player. It has pushed me every day to become better at everything I do on and off the ice. It's given me possibilities I wouldn't have gotten anywhere else, the help and support we're getting from all the people around the team and off the ice, has given me the opportunity to be my best, as a hockey player and as a person.
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Becca Kohler • St. Thomas, Ontario
How old were you when you started playing hockey, and how did you initially start playing hockey?
I was 4 when I learned how to skate. I have a brother who's only a year older than me, Tom, who started to play on teams. I would always go and watch, but I would always bug my dad for money for candy to get something from the vending machine. So one day he got so annoyed with me he made me go out on the ice and play with my brother's team. It all started from there and I'm so glad because at the time I was doing gymnastics…so I guess if I wasn't so annoying my dad never would have put me on the team. Thank goodness he did! I don't think my gymnastic career would have been very successful, seeing as I grew to be six feet tall, we still joke about it to this day.
How has playing hockey impacted your life?
Playing hockey has given me the chance to bond with my brother, who I consider one of my best friends, and has given me the chance to meet teammates who I consider to be a part of my family and life-long friends. When I think about every tough situation I've ever gone through, hockey has always been there and it's taught me that tough times don't last and that goals can be met with hard work. Most importantly for me though, hockey has taught me the true meaning of going after what you want in life and leaning on the support of those who care about you, and to always be there to support in return.
What does it mean to you to see the sport of women's hockey grow in your country, and why would you suggest young girls in your country to start playing it?
Being from Canada, especially in my hometown, all the girls my age were playing hockey, it's almost rare to meet someone who hasn't at one point in their life played or skated on a team. I think it's amazing how the talent level continues to grow in Canada and I suggest young girls to play because you will meet amazing people and it gives you an escape from inevitable hardships that you encounter growing up. Also, it's FUN!
How has playing Div. I hockey at North Dakota has made you a better player, and what do you like about playing at North Dakota?
Playing at North Dakota has given me a whole new perspective to the passion of the game. It has opened my eyes to exactly what a Division I sport should be and how a high-level program should be respected. There is a whole community rooting for you to win and never gives up on you after a tough loss. All of this unconditional support, especially with the coaching staff here, has made me a better player because I have continued to work on aspects of my game in hopes of achieving and being a part of our team's goal of winning a national championship for this program. Plus the Ralph Engelstad Arena has every tool and opportunity for me to improve and you really can't find that anywhere else, not to mention, it's not too bad on the eyes.
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Andrea Dalen • Hønefoss, Norway
How old were you when you started playing hockey, and how did you initially start playing hockey?
Jeg var tre år gamle når jeg startet å gå på skøyter. Noen år senere begynte jeg på MPG 7-9 som den yngste spilleren. Jeg startet med hockey fordi både min pappa og min storebror spilte så det var naturlig for meg å prøve ut sporten.
I started skating when I was three years old and a few years later I joined my first team as their youngest player. Both my older brother and my dad played as well, so it was natural for me to try it out.
How has playing hockey impacted your life?
Hockey har alltid og vill alltid være en stor del av mitt liv. Mange av mine venner i dag møtte jeg gjenom hockey i oppveksten. Hockey har også lært meg mye om å sammarbeide med andre og at det er viktig å respektere andre. En annen ting jeg har opplevd gjenom å spille hockey var det at jeg fikk muligheten til å flytte til Sverige og spille og studere der i to år før jeg flyttet hit til UND. Jeg spiller også på det norske landslaget hvilket har gitt meg muligheten til å reise til mange forskjellige land (Frankrike, Kina, Kanada, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia og Finland er bland disse). Hockey har også lært meg masse om hvordan man skal håndtere motgang. Alt i livet er ikke alltid like lett og går ikke alltid som man vill. Det samme gjelder for hockey, kanskje man ikke kommer med på laget, kanskje man ikke får spille så mye som man ønkser. Disse tingene har lært meg å forstå at jeg ikke kommer noen vei ved å gi opp, men at man må gjøre det beste ut av alle situasjoner, lære fra de og gå videre.
Hockey has been and will always be a big part of my life. While growing up I've met a lot of friends playing and it's helped me develop a skill where I am able to cooperate and interact with other people and work in a group. I've also learned a lot about respect; respecting different players and opinions as well as coaches and parents. Through hockey I also got to move to Sweden and experience their culture and school system for two years before I committed and decided to play here at UND. I also play on the Norwegian National team which has taken me to many different countries (France, China, Canada, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland are among the ones I have been to for hockey). It has also helped me understand and face adversity. Everything in life is not easy and you will meet hard times. The same goes for hockey, maybe you have to sit a game, did not make the team or power play. These things have helped me understand that nothing is going to be as I want it to be if I give up. Learn from it and move on.
What does it mean to you to see the sport of women's hockey grow in your country, and why would you suggest young girls in your country to start playing it?
Å se at hockey norge vokser betyr enorm masse for meg. Når jeg begynte å spille hockey var det ikke mange jenter som spilte hvilket gjorde at vi spilte på guttelag. I dag er det mange klubber som har jentelag i alle aldre, men samtidig har de fleste jenter mulighet til å spille med gutter og få ekstra trening gjennom det. Fler jenter som spiller hockey vill høyne nivået vært år i Norge og samtidig gjøre oss mer rustet mot andre najsoner. Jeg håper flere jenter begynner å spille fordi det er en opplevese og erfaring for livet og du har muligheten til å treffe mange venner og spillere fra hele verden.
To me it means a lot. When I started playing we did not have many girls playing and most of us played with the boys since there weren't any girls' teams for kids. Today, I know there are many clubs that have girls' teams at a young age and that the girls that want to play with the boys can do that as well. To have more girls play in Norway will help the competition and help the level of skill reach even new levels each year. I hope more people start to play hockey because it is an experience for a life time, you will make friends and meet many people from all over the world.
How has playing Div. I hockey at North Dakota has made you a better player, and what do you like about playing at North Dakota?
Under min tid på Universitetet i Nord Dakota has jeg utviklet min spille hurtighet veldig masse. Det har gitt meg en enorm fordel med tanke på det økende nivået på andre lag vi møter med landslaget. Etter jeg flyttet hit har jeg blitt en sterkere spller, fått bedre skudd og utviklet min spilleforståelse også. Å ha muligheten til å spille på lag med noen av verdens beste spillere i det som er verdens beste serie for kvinner idag er noe jeg virkelig verdsetter. Det er ikke mange som har muligheten til å spille i en hall som er helt fantastisk og ha flere tusen fans som stiller opp på alle kamper, så tiden min i Nord Dakota er noe jeg aldrig ville bytte bort.
During my time at the University of North Dakota I have improved my game speed a lot. It has given me a huge advantage if you think of the growing speed at the international level I play on with the national team. After I moved here I have become stronger, improved my shot and developed a better understanding of the game. To have the opportunity to play on the same team as some of the world's best players, and in what is considered the best women's league, is something I really appreciate. Not everyone has the opportunity to play in a rink that is amazing and to have thousands of fans supporting you at the games, so my time in North Dakota is something I would never change!
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Tanja Eisenschmid • Kaufbeuren, Germany
How old were you when you started playing hockey, and how did you initially start playing hockey?
Ich war vier Jahre alt als ich zum ersten Mal auf dem Eis gestanden bin. Als mein Vater jünger war, hat er auch Eishockey gespielt, aber nur hobbymäßig. Es war mein erstes Jahr im Kindergarten, als alle meine Freunde zum Eisstadion gegangen sind um Schlittschuhlaufen zu lernen. Mit mir haben ungefähr 10 andere Mädchen angefangen, aber nach ein paar Jahren waren nur meine Freundin und ich übrig, die jetzt immer noch Eishockey spielt und meine Verteidigungspartnerin in der deutschen Nationalmannschaft ist.
I was 4 years old when I was on the ice for the first time in my life. My dad played just for fun when he was younger. It was my first year of kindergarten when all my friends there went to the ice rink because everyone wanted to learn how to skate. When I first started skating there were approximately 10 girls on the ice with a lot of boys, but after a couple years it was just me and my friend left, who still plays and is my D-partner on the German national team.
How has playing hockey impacted your life?
Ich glaube jeder Eishockeyspieler, der für mehr als 10 Jahre Eishockey gespielt hat, kann sagen, dass es einen beeinflusst hat. In meiner Eishockeylaufbahn hab ich gelernt hart zu trainieren und heute gehört es einfach dazu. Ich könnte mir mein Leben ohne Eishockey nicht vorstellen. Obwohl ich nicht jedes Wochenende ausgehen kann, nicht jedes Wochenende ausschlafen kann, mehr Schwierigkeiten in der Schule hatte, kann ich sagen, dass ich es kein bisschen bereue. Ich bin auch unabhängiger geworden, weil ich seit 6 Jahren für die deutsche Nationalmannschaft spiele. Dadurch, dass ich jeden Monat für ein paar Tage in ein anderes Land gegangen bin um ein Turnier zu spielen, hat es mir leichter gemacht "Auf Wiedersehen" zu sagen, was mir geholfen hat schneller erwachsen zu werden.
I think every hockey player can say that playing hockey for more than 10 years impacts your life. During 16 years of hockey I have developed the ability to work hard for something I love and it is now part of my life and I couldn't picture my life without it. Even though I couldn't go out every weekend, couldn't sleep in every weekend, had more difficulties in school, I can say that I don't regret a single thing. Also I am more independent because I've been part of the German national team for about 6 years now. The fact that I was in a different country every month for a couple days to play a tournament made it easier for me to say goodbye, which helped me to grow up.
What does it mean to you to see the sport of women's hockey grow in your country, and why would you suggest young girls in your country to start playing it?
Ich finde es immer gut viele Mädchen Eishockey spielen zu sehen. Es ist großartig, dass Eishockey beliebter geworden ist in den letzten Jahren und dass die Liga besser wird. Die Frauen müssen härter arbeiten und die Konkurrenz ist stärker. Warum rate ich jedem Mädchen Eishockey spielen anzufangen? Weil ich die Möglichkeit hab in den USA zu spielen, mehr tolle Freundinnen zu bekommen und neue Leute kennen zu lernen. Jede sollte so hart arbeiten wie ich es getan habe um die gleiche Erfahrung zu machen.
I think it's great to see a lot of girls playing hockey in Germany. The fact that it's about to grow is awesome, because the level of our league will go up and the league will be more competitive. Why I would suggest girls to play hockey in Germany? Because I have the opportunity to play in the United States with great teammates and friends and to meet new people and I would want every other girl to compete as hard as I did to come here and experience the exact same thing.
How has playing Div. I hockey at North Dakota has made you a better player, and what do you like about playing at North Dakota?
Division I zu spielen hat mich zu einem besseren Spieler gemacht, weil wir viel öfter trainieren, viel öfter im Kraftraum sind und ich an meinen persönlichen Schwächen arbeiten kann. Ich liebe es wie viel Wert die Amerikaner auf Sport in den Universitäten legen. Die Liga hat stärkere Konkurrenz, weil hier viel mehr Mädchen Eishockey spielen. Es macht so viel Spaß zum Eisstadion zu kommen und mit 26 anderen Mädchen zu trainieren um die nationale Meisterschaft zu gewinnen.
Playing Div. I has made me a better player, because we practice every day, we work out a lot more and I can work on my individual stuff too. I love the importance of sports in college. The league is more competitive, because there are a lot more players. It is so much fun to come to the rink and work out and practice with 26 other girls to win a national championship.
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Johanna Fallman • Lulea, Sweden
How old were you when you started playing hockey, and how did you initially start playing hockey?
Jag började åka skridskor på dagis, min dagisfröken Björn spolade is på sandlådan på dagisgården så fort det blev minusgrader, och där åkte vi runt hela dagarna. Jag tror det var där mitt intresse startade. Det var bara så häftigt. Mamma brukar berätta hur jag som 4-åring med lysande ögon provade alldeles för stora axelskydd på sportaffärerna. Jag började i skridskoskola som 6-åring, och det blev mer och mer seriöst och organiserat ju äldre vi blev.
I started skating in preschool. Our teacher Björn used to make the playground sandbox into an ice sheet as soon as the weather was cold enough, and we would skate around all day long. I think that was when my interest started to develop. Everything about hockey was just so cool. My mom has told me stories about how as a 4-year-old I tried way too big shoulder pads on at the local stores, and how my eyes would just glow. I started playing in an organized team when I was 6, and as we got older it became more and more serious.
How has playing hockey impacted your life?
Oj, på så otroligt många sätt... Jag har fått se annorlunda och spännande platser över hela världen och fått träffa fantastiska människor. Det är faktiskt svårt att komma på en vän som jag inte på ett eller annat sätt träffat genom hockeyn. Det har varit en plats att växa i som människa, en ovärderlig plats för gemenskap.
In so many ways… My sport has given me the chance to travel around the world, and through it I have been blessed by meeting amazing people. Thinking about it, it is hard to name a friend whom I haven't in one way or another met through hockey. It has been a place for me to grow, and an invaluable place for me to feel belonging.
What does it mean to you to see the sport of women's hockey grow in your country, and why would you suggest young girls in your country to start playing it?
För att det är så roligt! Det är det absolut roligaste jag vet. Att se småtjejer hemma börja spela är fantastiskt kul, och jag vet att de om och så länge de fortsätter kommer att få ut så mycket av idrotten på så många olika plan. Lagidrott i allmänhet är så mycket mycket mer än bara själva sporten i sig.
Because it's so much fun! It's by far my favorite thing to do. Seeing young girls at home start playing is incredibly fun, and I know that as long as they continue to play they will get so much out of it on so many levels. Team sports in general are about so much more than just the sport itself.
How has playing Div. I hockey at North Dakota has made you a better player, and what do you like about playing at North Dakota?
Alla möjligheter runt omkring laget är perfekta, alltifrån omklädningsrum till träningsmöjligheter och tillgång till bred expertis. Här blir jag utmanad varenda dag, och det gäller att alltid vara på tårna för konkurrera. Förutom idrottsaspekten är det en upplevelse jag inte hade kunnat få på något annat sätt; jag får bo i ett nytt land, lära mig ett annat språk och träffa människor från hela världen. Det är ovärderligt och något som kommer att finnas med mig hela livet.
Everything surrounding the team is perfect here; from facilities, to practice, workout opportunities and quality, to staff members and access to great expertise. You are challenged every day on the ice, and you have to stay focused and on your toes to be able to compete for a spot in the line-up. Besides the actual hockey aspect being here at UND, everything about it is an invaluable experience for me personally; I get to live in a different country, learn a new language, and meet people from all over the world. I am truly blessed, and thankful, to have been given this opportunity, and the experiences and memories I get will be with me throughout the rest of my life.
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Gracen Hirschy • Fort Wayne, Ind.
How old were you when you started playing hockey, and how did you initially start playing hockey?
I was around 3 years old when I started to play hockey. From the start, my family had season tickets to the local pro team, the Fort Wayne Komets, and I attended those games since I was a baby. Then one day we decided to put me on the ice and have me try hockey for myself.
How has playing hockey impacted your life?
Hockey has had a tremendous impact on my life. Hockey has made me realize how important it is to do something you love and take great pride in something. Every day I get on the ice I realize how lucky I am that I have met the teammates I have and have had some of the greatest experiences of my life.
What does it mean to you to see the sport of women's hockey grow in your country, and why would you suggest young girls in your country to start playing it?
It's very cool that I have had the chance to see the growth in women's hockey here in the United States. When I started playing I was the only girl throughout all of the hockey programs in Ft. Wayne. Now when I go back to visit, I see a number of girls playing the game and it means a lot to me to see that more and more girls are getting into the game everywhere. Young girls everywhere in the United States should play the game because it provides a great opportunity to try something new and meet new people.
How has playing Div. I hockey at North Dakota has made you a better player, and what do you like about playing at North Dakota?
Playing here at North Dakota has made me a better player. Here at UND I have the resources and support, to not only reach my peak, but to keep improving even after reaching it. I love the atmosphere that comes along with being part of this team. Every time we hit the ice or the weight room everyone is fully, one-hundred percent, committed to being a successful team.
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Susanna Tapani • Laitala, Finland
How old were you when you started playing hockey, and how did you initially start playing hockey?
Aloitin jääkiekon 14 vuotiaana poikien joukkueessa Laitilan Jyskeessä. Olin pelannut ringetteä jo 8 vuotta, joten luistelu ja pelaaminen jäällä oli tuttua. Kaksi vuotta nuorempi pikkuveljeni pelasi jääkiekkoa ja hänen valmentajansa kysyi haluaisinko tulla kokeilemaan sitä joskus. Vasta vuotta myöhemmin rohkenin mennä ainoana tyttönä kokeilemaan ja siitä lähtien olen pelannut molempia lajeja. Jääkiekossa ja ringetessä on eroja, mutta myös paljon samaa. Molemmat ovat nopeita jäälajeja, ja siksi jääkiekkokin tuntui heti omalta lajilta. Pidin myös sen tuomista haasteista.
I was 14 when I started to play hockey with boys in Laitila's Jyske. I had played ringette when I was 8 years old before that, so skating and playing on the ice was already familiar to me. My two-year younger brother played hockey and his coach asked if I wanted to come and try it. It took one year that I was brave enough to go, as the only girl to try it, and since that I have played both sports. There are some differences between ringette and hockey, but also many things in common. Both are quick games on the ice and that's why hockey was the right sport for me from the beginning. I also liked the challenges it brought.
How has playing hockey impacted your life?
Jääkiekko on vaikuttanut elämääni monella osa-alueella. Olen saanut paljon hyviä kavereita ja tavannut mielenkiintoisia ihmisiä sen kautta. Se on myös vaikuttanut minuun millainen olen ihmisenä. Olen hyvin kunnianhimoinen ja kilpailuhaluinen. Olen oppinut pitämään tilanteista, joissa pitää toimia paineen alla. Näistä kaikista on varmasti hyötyä myös tulevaisuudessa.
Hockey has impacted my life in many ways. I have made many good friends and met interesting people because of it. It has also impacted me as who I am as a person. I am very ambitious and like the competitions. I have learned to like the situations where you have to work under pressure. I think that all of these are very useful in the future.
What does it mean to you to see the sport of women's hockey grow in your country, and why would you suggest young girls in your country to start playing it?
Se on hienoa koko lajin kannalta, että laji kasvaa ja kehittyy pienemmissäkin maissa. Vaikka jääkiekko on suosituin urheilulaji Suomessa, naisten jääkiekko ei ole vielä kovin arvostettua. Nuorien tyttöjen kannattaa aloittaa jääkiekko, koska siitä saa itselle niin paljon hyviä kokemuksia, jotka muistaa koko loppuelämän.
It's a great thing to the whole sport that it grows and develops, also in smaller countries. Even if hockey is the most popular sport in Finland, the women's hockey is not that appreciated yet. Young girls should start to play hockey, because you get so much good experiences out of it, which you will remember the rest of your life.
How has playing Div. I hockey at North Dakota has made you a better player, and what do you like about playing at North Dakota?
Olen ollut täällä vasta kuukauden, mutta jo siinä ajassa tuntuu että olen kehittynyt pelaajana. Treenit ovat laadukkaita ja voit kysyä apua ammatti-valmentajilta aina kun tarvitset sitä. Kaikki tekevät kovasti töitä saavuttaakseen yhteisen tavoitteen. Myös se, että ei ole tarvinnut tasapainoilla kahden lajin välillä, on antanut minulle mahdollisuuden kehittyä.
I have been here only for a month, but I feel that I have developed already as a player. Practices are high quality and you can ask help from professional coaches anytime you need it. Everyone works hard to achieve the common goal. The fact that I don't have to balance between two sports, has given me the opportunity to develop.
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Josefine Jakobsen • Åalborg, Denmark
How old were you when you started playing hockey, and how did you initially start playing hockey?
Jeg var omkring 18 måneder da jeg fik mine første skøjter på. Min bror spillede hockey og derfor var jeg altid med min forældre, bror og søster i hallen når han skulle træne, på det tidspunkt spillede min søster også men stoppede igen. Lige siden jeg kunne gå har jeg spillet ishockey.
I was about 18 months when I got my first skates on. My older brother played at that time, my mom and dad were often with my brother when he was at practice and they always brought me and my sister, my sister also played, but quit at an early age, my brother plays professionally today. I've played hockey ever since I started walking.
How has playing hockey impacted your life?
Hockey er en livsstil for mig, jeg lever for hockey og jeg kan nemt sige at hockeyen er mit liv, og jeg ville ikke have været den foruden. Hvis ikke hockey var alt for mig, ville jeg ikke sidde på den anden side af kloden langt væk fra min familie. Hockeyen og folkene omkring mig er som en familie for mig. Jeg har mødt så mange fantastisk mennesker og fået venner og bekendtskaber igennem hockey som varer for livet. Hockey har hjulpet mig på mange måder, det er en passion for mig og det at lære andre kulturer at kende og rejse rundt i verden er en drøm for mig og har gjort mig til en mere åben person og gjort mig mere moden.
Hockey is a lifestyle for me, and I can easily say that hockey is my life, it's not everything, but just the fact that I travel across the world to play hockey far away from my family, I think that pretty much sums up everything. Hockey and the people around me is like a family to me, my teammates and the staff around me has made it so easy for me, it really means a lot that the girls' families take care of me/us far from home. These people are friends and acquaintances that will last forever. Hockey has helped me in many different ways, it's a passion for me and just to be able to get to know other cultures and travel the world is a dream for me and has made me a more open and mature person.
What does it mean to you to see the sport of women's hockey grow in your country, and why would you suggest young girls in your country to start playing it?
Vi har unge talentfulde piger der kommer frem i Danmark men ikke så mange spillere endnu. Forhåbentligt kan vi via støtte fra det danske ishockey forbund få flere piger til at spille ishockey i fremtiden. Men selvfølgelige, fordi ishockey er sjovt og en sport med fuld fart på, vil jeg rekommendere piger at spille. Og hvis man har drømme og vil ud at opleve noget, og har man talentet så skal man spille ishockey. Men selvom man ikke er den bedste, så er der fede oplevelser i vente.
We have some talented girls coming up in Denmark, but not so many players yet. Hopefully we can get that number up in the future by support from the Danish federation. But of course hockey is a fun sport, and if you are a girl with a lot of energy, hockey is the sport to play. If you have big dreams and want to experience the world, you should play hockey.
How has playing Div. I hockey at North Dakota has made you a better player, and what do you like about playing at North Dakota?
Jeg har altid vidst fra starten af at North Dakota og Ralph Engelstadt var stedet jeg ville spille college hockey. Bare is arenan i sig selv og faciliteterne det finder du ikke andre steder. Da jeg fik muligheden var jeg ikke et sekund i tvivl. Gode trænings faciliteter som skøjte løbebåndet, skyde ramper og video scouting har været store faktorer der har hjulpet mig til at blive en bedre hockey spiller. At have trænere med forskellige trænings baggrunde og forskellige kundskaber er også en årsag til mine fremgange på og udenfor isen. At have muligheden for at gå på is og træne på dine svagheder med eller uden træner har også hjulpet mig meget. Selveste historien bag UND hockey og dets fremgange gør det specielt at være en del af.
I always knew from the beginning that North Dakota and the Ralph Engelstad was the place that I wanted to play college hockey. Just the arena itself says everything, and the facilities, such as the skating treadmill, the shooting academy and video scouting has been huge factors in improving my game and made me a better hockey player. Also, having coaches with different experiences and abilities has had a huge impact on me as a player on and off the ice. Having ice time available most of the time is another factor, you can go on with the coaches and work on your weaknesses of your game and also you can skate by yourself and do whatever you need to work on. The history at UND says a lot and its success is something special to be a part of.
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