University of Minnesota Athletics
Where Are They Now? Alum Ronda Curtin
7/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
During the summer months, gophersports.com connects with some of the Gopher alums. This week, gophersports.com is catching up with Gopher alum Ronda Curtin Engelhardt. Playing for the Gophers from 1999-2003, Curtin played both the forward and defenseman position. After starting her first two years as a forward, the former Ms. Hockey recipient switched to defense and flourished at the role. She became a two-time All-American, a Patty Kazmaier top-three finalist and the WCHA Player and Defensive Player of the Year. During her career, Curtin scored 167 points and currently ranks seventh in school history in points. During the 2008-09 season, Curtin was also named as one of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's best athletes of the decade. Here's a question and answer session with the former All-American.
Gophersports.com: You started your college career in 1999 and ended it in 2003. What were some of your most memorable moments during your tenure?
Ronda Curtin Engelhardt: I would say winning the national championship would definitely be one of the highlights in my career. However, when I look back on my four years, the memorable moments were just the simple things like stepping on the ice and competing, or all the fun I had with teammates on and off the ice.
GS: What did it mean to you to wear the ‘M’?
RE: Growing up in Minnesota there is definitely a desire to want to wear the ‘M’, so getting the chance to do it was an honor. I also loved the fact that I could play where my parents could come watch me at all my home games.
GS: You played both as a forward and defense during your Minnesota career. What did you like the best about each position and how long did it take you to get adjusted to it?
RE: It was quite an adjustment to get used to defense. The hardest part was I always wanted to be in the play so having to stop at the blue line and wait was the first adjustment. However as soon as I realized that defense was like being a quarterback, my mentality completely changed and I was able to enjoy defense and what I could bring to the team by playing it.
GS: Assistant coach Joel Johnson coached you during your time here and is now back coaching the defensemen. What can the players expect from his as a coach?
RE: Joel is very knowledgeable of the game so they can expect to learn a lot from him. He knows how to teach the game and can break down things you are doing in a way that makes sense. You won’t see him yell much as he is mild mannered, but he doesn’t need to as you will want to listen to what he says.
GS: Are you still involved in hockey and if so in what capacity?
RE: I have not played competitive hockey since before I got pregnant with my first. I do miss playing, but my life has changed a lot with much different priorities! I have a two year old who loves hockey so I’m sure that will definitely keep me “in the game”.
GS: You are now married with two children. How much has your life changed since you’ve been away from the University of Minnesota and tell us about it?
RE: Wow life has changed dramatically. I have been married now for three years and we have two daughters. Brett, my husband is a hockey player so we spend the winters in different cities. He currently plays in the DEL (Deutschland Eishockey League), so we spend eight months a year in Germany.
GS: You and your family have traveled a lot with Brett’s career. Where have you all gone and what was your favorite destination?
RE: We have been all over the world and love that we get the opportunity to see all different things. He has played in Toronto, Grand Rapids Mich., and Augsburg Germany (near Munich). We have seen all those places, but as for traveling we have been to the following: Fresno, Calif., Jamaica, Paris, Rome, Venice, Florence, Pisa, and Lake Garda, Italy. It would be impossible to pick a favorite as they are all amazing places. (Well except Pisa, you only need an hour there to see the leaning tower, other than that nothing else to see!). We are headed to a new team next season, which is in northern Germany, so we get a chance to see all new things!
