University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Women's Hockey Alumni Q & A
10/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
What did it mean to you to wear the M’?
Winny Brodt: To have grown up in a time where boy’s hockey was the only place to play and the only role models we had, it was a dream come true to where the "M". It is really special to be a part of something so great and call it our own.
Natalie Darwitz: Growing up, watching the Gophers every weekend on TV and cheering for them, it was a goal and dream of mine to one day become a Gopher and wear the maroon and gold. It was great to be apart of the great pride and tradition that the Gophers have and to be apart of creating more tradition is something I will always be apart of.
Shannon Kennedy: Wearing the M's’ was truly an honor during the best years of my life. I learned many valuable life lessons wearing that jersey, met the best of friends, made many mistakes but grew from them and learned the true meaning of unity. I will never forget this moment when all of our "M" gear was stripped away from us. We just got back from Providence and played the worst game of our lives, mentally, physically and emotionally. As we were pulling into the bus loading dock of Mariucci, we were told to leave all of our Minnesota gear and clothing at the rink. We didn't deserve to wear the "M". The way we played, prepared, and thus the outcome wasn't representing what it was to be a Gopher. A group of us piled in back of Megan Milbert's pick up truck in boxer shorts and tank tops in the middle of winter. I remember Courtney (Kennedy) and I calling around to the (Kris) Scholz, trying to find a jersey we could wear the next day in practice since we couldn't wear the "M". We quickly realized that was all we had and wore. When we got our stuff back, it was like Christmas in the locker room! At the time, we were mad, but I tell ya, it was probably one of the best things Laura did for us. We learned the true meaning of wearing the "M."
Nadine Muzerall: I don't think there is a way to measure the meaning of what it was to wear the M. I was the only international player, if you can consider us Canadians foreign, for three years. I had no idea about Minnesota pride and the commitment the state had toward hockey. However, once I walked into Mariucci and saw all the banners hanging from the rafters and the murals on the wall of the 1980 Miracle On Ice, I knew that the women’s program couldn't settle for anything other than the best. Although I was not a Minnesotan, or even an American, I felt at home. The girls and their families made me feel welcome. It made me want to stay in Minnesota and play for the maroon and gold. Pride when we were becoming so competitive and successful so quickly. Honor to be a part of such a team who had the support of the local community and school who also honored the hockey tradition at the U. Thankful that I was able to improve everyday in practice because I was competing against the best. Fortunate to be one of the pioneers who started this successful program and make it one of the best in women's hockey.
Kris Scholz: The opportunity to wear the maroon and gold was an unbelievable honor. Growing up watching Gopher men's hockey, I knew the pride that was established with that program and I just wanted to be apart of establishing the same pride with the women's program.
Laura Slominski: Growing up in Minnesota, I saw the tradition of the Gopher men's hockey team. I was so proud to be able to wear the 'M' and be a part of starting that same tradition with the Gopher Women's Hockey program!
Ambria Thomas: It gave me a lot of confidence and I am proud to tell people that I played for the University of Minnesota.
Krissy Wendell: Being from Minnesota and being able to represent the U of M was a great honor, especially after watching my older brother who had represented the U the four years prior, I was excited to be apart of the tradition.
What was your most memorable moment while playing at the University of Minnesota?
Winny Brodt: The most memorable moment while playing for the University was when the buzzer went off at Northeastern in the 2000 National Championship game and we all throwing our gloves and sticks in the air and celebrated our victory together, players, coaches and staff!
Natalie Darwitz: Winning back-to-back national championships. Two great seasons, two completely different teams but champions none-the-less. Nothing compares to throwing your gloves up at the end of the game and hog piling on the goalie and calling yourself a national champion. A once in a lifetime feeling that we got to do twice!
Nadine Muzerall: It was the second half in my junior season and we were off traveling north to Duluth. It was the first year Duluth was a Divison I team, but in their first year they were a powerhouse with five Olympians to our none! Earlier in the year they had beat us both times at home (ouch) and we were playing on the road without Winny (Brodt) and Courtney (Kennedy), our two stud defensemen. I just remember coach having Ambria Thomas and Ronda Curtain playing defense all week in practice to prepare them for the games that weekend. Not going to lie, I was nervous! We played two lines. If you were on the power play or penalty kill you were possibly being double shifted. I remember being bent over on the bench trying so hard to breath enough air into fill my lungs while I tried to get my pulse below 120. I remember scoring a goal that game and skating so hard back into our end zone and jumped up on the boards where Winny, Court and Megan (Milbert) were watching so they knew that they were still part of our success. Funny, I can't remember the score but who cares, we won. We beat Duluth for the first time in their rink, with two lines who dug deep and pulled it together without caring about who was awarded credit and for that that game will be forever my most memorable and by far the hardest I ever played.
Kris Scholz: Beating Minnesota Duluth in the semi-finals of the 2000 National Championship will always stick out in my mind. Watching (Tracy) Engstrom score the game-winning goal on the power play, was pretty incredible. Also beating Brown in the championship game, and then going to celebrate at the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston, with all of our incredible family, friends, and fans, was amazing.
Laura Slominski: The National Tournament in 2000. First of all, beating Duluth in the semi-finals, and then turning around to beat Brown for the National Championship!
Ambria Thomas: Watching Tracy Engstrom's celebration when she scored a goal in the semifinal game against Minnesota Duluth...and of course winning the gold baby!
Krissy Wendell: Winning back-to-back national championships!
Other then winning a national championship, what was your most memorable moment?
Winny Brodt: The most memorable moment of the 1999-2000 season was watching our team try to swim during our 7 a.m. swim workouts that we had because we started the season off so bad!
Natalie Darwitz: Too many. I would say being a part of a team. Some of my best friends are friends that were my teammates at the U. Nothing is more powerful that being apart of a team.
Kris Scholz: I can't think of any other moment in particular, but I do cherish all the times of hanging out with my teammates and appreciating everyone and what they brought to the program.
Laura Slominski: Our team going on a 24-game unbeaten streak and finishing third in the country my senior year (2001-2002) when we were supposed to be having a rebuilding season!
Ambria Thomas: A lot of memories, but I really enjoyed the mini-Olympic competitions that the coaches would set up for us during "fun" practices!
Krissy Wendell: My first home game in Ridder Arena was something that I will always remember. Stepping on the ice for the first time was a great feeling.
What was your greatest accomplishment during your Gopher career?
Winny Brodt: The greatest accomplishment of my seven-year career at the University was breaking my back in two places mid-season and being able to recover and finish the year with my team that went on to win a national championship.
Natalie Darwitz: Winning two national championships. Being apart of the greatest hockey line and being able to play with two great friends and people and have a blast everyday playing together.
Nadine Muzerall: My greatest individual accomplishment was in my junior year when I lead the nation in goals. Something in me changed the second part of my junior year, I bet it had to do with the fact my boyfriend left to California to train for the Olympics in swimming. Little did I know at the time he did me a huge favor. I focused all my time and energy to hockey.
Ambria Thomas: The greatest accomplishment for me was playing with my teammates and for my coaches, and for the life long friendships that I made.
Krissy Wendell: Being apart of two national titles was a great experience for me.
What advice would you give to the Gopher women’s hockey players in the next 10 years?
Winny Brodt: This is your chance to be a part of Gopher Pride on Ice, so wear the M’ with pride on and off the ice. People are always watching you and your choices, so cherish that responsibility! Hold onto this once in a lifetime opportunity because it come and goes so fast!
Natalie Darwitz: Don’t take your time at the U of M for granted. I know a lot of people say this, but it does fly by in the blink of an eye. You are playing for one of the premiere hockey programs in the country. Many of the teams you play want to beat you and probably wish they had an opportunity to wear an M on their chest but never got asked to play at the U. Deep down many want to be a Gopher, so be grateful you are one and strive to continue to make Minnesota the top program in the country and a champion because its the greatest feeling in the world.
Nadine Muzerall: Respect your teammates and coaches. If you don't, you won't be able to play to your full potential. Be grateful that you are part of such an honorable tradition. Play everyday to your fullest because ladies when its over, you're going to miss it. And most importantly, remember the 20 girls who were part of your life for four years. They will be family forever.
Kris Scholz: I would tell them to enjoy each and every moment of their lives. To work as hard as they can, accept and appreciate their roles, and to live with no regrets!
Laura Slominski: You are part of a program that has a rich tradition of success. Be proud to wear the 'M' and to have the opportunity to carry on that tradition!
Ambria Thomas: Enjoy every minute...both on and off the ice!
Krissy Wendell: Enjoy the time because it goes fast!
