University of Minnesota Athletics
Student-Athlete Profile: Junior Forward Natalie Darwitz
1/31/2005 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
For the last three years, she has astonished the crowd, her opponents, coaches and teammates with her stellar play almost every time the Golden Gophers hit the ice. Besides playing an integral, if not staring role on the 2004 national championship team, Darwitz has put together quite a track record of mind-boggling statistics.
As modest as a mouse, the former and future Olympian insists that her personal success at the `U' is only a product of her surroundings. She claims that without the support and spectacular play of her teammates she would not have accomplished a fraction of what she has.
"When you are surrounded by good players and a great goalie it definitely takes a lot of pressure off, and I think that allows everyone to be more successful," Darwitz claimed. "That's the difference, playing with Krissy (Wendell) and Kelly (Stephens), more stuff happens on the ice, compared to playing with two players who are not very skilled. To me, it's like a Kobe-Shaq thing. Shaq's gone so Kobe's not going to do as well anymore. Without my teammates, I wouldn't be able to do what I have."
It is true that playing with the talent that the Golden Gophers have will make anyone better, but to be able to compile the accomplishments Darwitz has is still unbelievable. Even while missing 10 games during her sophomore season Darwitz became the fastest Golden Gopher to reach the 100-point mark. The team was 13-0 when Darwitz scored a goal, and 22-0-1 when she scored a point.
Her assault on the record books has continued this season as she became the career leader in assists for the Golden Gophers and has produced 21 multi-point games through 24 games, in which the team has gone 21-1-2. Her impact on the team is immeasurable, but Darwitz doesn't get caught up in the statistical part of it. The only stat she cares about is the W in the win column.
"In my opinion, you're not going to be remembered as a good player unless you can put up the championships," she said. "At the end of the year I don't think anyone will remember if Natalie Darwitz broke the assist record, they're going to remember whether we won a national championship or not."
It is not uncommon for great players to measure their personal success by the success of the team; in fact it demonstrates maturity and the fact that they are grounded. Since Darwitz arrived at the U of M, the Golden Gophers have gone 76-13-5, have one national title and are poised to make a run at their second in a row.
The success stems from a first line that boasts four players on the United States National Team, and that familiarity with each other has made Darwitz more comfortable here at the `U.' Whether it's making an odd-man rush against the Badgers this weekend or killing a power-play against Finland in the next Olympics, that core of Stephens, Wendell, Wall and Darwitz seem to know what each other is going to do at all times.
"It's been awesome. When we're on the national team, the four of us are hanging out together, cracking jokes. It's a familiarity thing, it's nice to have such great teammates in both worlds," Darwitz said.
Another reason Darwitz has had such a good comfort zone at the U of M is that she grew up in Eagan, Minn., and was always a huge Golden Gopher fan. After leaving her high school team at a young age, Darwitz spent two years training and playing with the U.S. National Team, where her family could rarely see her play. Now that she plays so close to home, the Darwitz clan rarely misses a face-off.
"One of the major reasons I came here is so that my family could see me play. My extended family is nuts about hockey too, so they are here for every home game as well," Darwitz explained. "Growing up it was kind of instilled in me that I go to the U; it was definitely my first choice. I do have to say that the major thing that drew me to the U of M was the people on the team, the quality of the women on the team and everyone in the program convinced me that this was the right fit."
Many Golden Gopher fans would agree that Darwitz's decision was the right one, because she has not only fit in, but also thrived in the Maroon and Gold. However, being the competitor she is, Darwitz is never satisfied. Even as one of the games' elite players she still wishes to be a more consistent player.
"There's games where I can play great and there's games where I fall off the map, Darwitz commented. "I think that's the challenge for me to come back from international play and play well both nights, instead of the one good game and a game where you can't do anything right."
Possibly head coach Laura Halldorson and other true students of the game notice the "inconsistencies" of Darwitz's play, but it's hard to imagine a player with a plus-minus rating of +46 with any inconsistencies at all. It could be that Darwitz is a perfectionist when it comes to her play. The self-described "finesse" player who plays a "clean game" credits the fact that she to the level she's at through hard work and a relentless focus on the little things.
"I try to work hard myself and lead by example," she said. "I tend to focus on the little things, but at the same time my main drive is just to work hard each game, instead of scoring goals. I just want to work hard, and I believe that if you work hard good things will happen."
I think it's safe to say that good things have happened for Darwitz and the entire Golden Gopher team as a result of her presence. What she has accomplished in her career is something to be proud of, something to remember, even if it is as she views it, "a product of her surroundings."
story by Dominic Ladd, Athletics Communications Graduate Assistant It's no secret that junior forward Natalie Darwitz is one of the top women's hockey players in the country.
For the last three years, she has astonished the crowd, her opponents, coaches and teammates with her stellar play almost every time the Golden Gophers hit the ice. Besides playing an integral, if not staring role on the 2004 national championship team, Darwitz has put together quite a track record of mind-boggling statistics.
As modest as a mouse, the former and future Olympian insists that her personal success at the `U' is only a product of her surroundings. She claims that without the support and spectacular play of her teammates she would not have accomplished a fraction of what she has.
"When you are surrounded by good players and a great goalie it definitely takes a lot of pressure off, and I think that allows everyone to be more successful," Darwitz claimed. "That's the difference, playing with Krissy (Wendell) and Kelly (Stephens), more stuff happens on the ice, compared to playing with two players who are not very skilled. To me, it's like a Kobe-Shaq thing. Shaq's gone so Kobe's not going to do as well anymore. Without my teammates, I wouldn't be able to do what I have."
It is true that playing with the talent that the Golden Gophers have will make anyone better, but to be able to compile the accomplishments Darwitz has is still unbelievable. Even while missing 10 games during her sophomore season Darwitz became the fastest Golden Gopher to reach the 100-point mark. The team was 13-0 when Darwitz scored a goal, and 22-0-1 when she scored a point.
Her assault on the record books has continued this season as she became the career leader in assists for the Golden Gophers and has produced 21 multi-point games through 24 games, in which the team has gone 21-1-2. Her impact on the team is immeasurable, but Darwitz doesn't get caught up in the statistical part of it. The only stat she cares about is the W in the win column.
"In my opinion, you're not going to be remembered as a good player unless you can put up the championships," she said. "At the end of the year I don't think anyone will remember if Natalie Darwitz broke the assist record, they're going to remember whether we won a national championship or not."
It is not uncommon for great players to measure their personal success by the success of the team; in fact it demonstrates maturity and the fact that they are grounded. Since Darwitz arrived at the U of M, the Golden Gophers have gone 76-13-5, have one national title and are poised to make a run at their second in a row.
The success stems from a first line that boasts four players on the United States National Team, and that familiarity with each other has made Darwitz more comfortable here at the `U.' Whether it's making an odd-man rush against the Badgers this weekend or killing a power-play against Finland in the next Olympics, that core of Stephens, Wendell, Wall and Darwitz seem to know what each other is going to do at all times.
"It's been awesome. When we're on the national team, the four of us are hanging out together, cracking jokes. It's a familiarity thing, it's nice to have such great teammates in both worlds," Darwitz said.
Another reason Darwitz has had such a good comfort zone at the U of M is that she grew up in Eagan, Minn., and was always a huge Golden Gopher fan. After leaving her high school team at a young age, Darwitz spent two years training and playing with the U.S. National Team, where her family could rarely see her play. Now that she plays so close to home, the Darwitz clan rarely misses a face-off.
"One of the major reasons I came here is so that my family could see me play. My extended family is nuts about hockey too, so they are here for every home game as well," Darwitz explained. "Growing up it was kind of instilled in me that I go to the U; it was definitely my first choice. I do have to say that the major thing that drew me to the U of M was the people on the team, the quality of the women on the team and everyone in the program convinced me that this was the right fit."
Many Golden Gopher fans would agree that Darwitz's decision was the right one, because she has not only fit in, but also thrived in the Maroon and Gold. However, being the competitor she is, Darwitz is never satisfied. Even as one of the games' elite players she still wishes to be a more consistent player.
"There's games where I can play great and there's games where I fall off the map, Darwitz commented. "I think that's the challenge for me to come back from international play and play well both nights, instead of the one good game and a game where you can't do anything right."
Possibly head coach Laura Halldorson and other true students of the game notice the "inconsistencies" of Darwitz's play, but it's hard to imagine a player with a plus-minus rating of +46 with any inconsistencies at all. It could be that Darwitz is a perfectionist when it comes to her play. The self-described "finesse" player who plays a "clean game" credits the fact that she to the level she's at through hard work and a relentless focus on the little things.
"I try to work hard myself and lead by example," she said. "I tend to focus on the little things, but at the same time my main drive is just to work hard each game, instead of scoring goals. I just want to work hard, and I believe that if you work hard good things will happen."
I think it's safe to say that good things have happened for Darwitz and the entire Golden Gopher team as a result of her presence. What she has accomplished in her career is something to be proud of, something to remember, even if it is as she views it, "a product of her surroundings."
story by Dominic Ladd, Athletics Communications Graduate Assistant
