University of Minnesota Athletics
Stecklein Returns with Renewed Confidence
10/16/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
By Lexi Diederich, Gopher Athletic Communications Student Intern
MINNEAPOLIS - At 20-years-old, sophomore defenseman Lee Stecklein has hit hockey career milestones that others only dream about. As the Gophers' 2014-15 season heats up, her journey continues.
Stecklein has returned to home ice after spending last season training with Team USA and playing in Sochi, Russia, as the youngest player on the U.S. Women's National Team in the 2014 Olympic Games.
During her freshmen season at Minnesota, Stecklein tallied three goals and nine assists to help the team win the 2013 national championship. In Sochi, she played in five games and recorded one assist en route to a silver medal.
With that silver medal in hand, Stecklein's focus has shifted from Sochi to Minnesota. Already this season, she recorded four assists in Minnesota's season-opening wins over Penn State and No. 6 Boston University and earned WCHA Defensive Player of the Week honors.
"I learned a lot of technical things on the ice, and in general, became a lot more confident in my abilities," Stecklein said, reflecting on her time in Sochi.
Observing how Stecklein has grown as a player from the 2012-13 season until now, head coach Brad Frost agrees that an extra spark has lit up inside her.
"She's much more confident in who she is as a player," Frost said. "When she played with us her freshmen year, she probably wasn't in our top three or four defensemen like she is now. Overall, her game has taken a jump with her confidence."
As the current season ramps up, Stecklein hopes to eventually see the national title come home to Minnesota.
"I want our team to have the best season possible," Stecklein said. "We don't define success by wins and losses but hopefully at the end, we win that last game."
Of course, she hasn't forgotten about another goal.
"I would love to go to another Olympics and bring back a gold medal," Stecklein said.
This determination and drive to succeed has earned Stecklein an assistant captain position this season, which she described as incredible.
"It goes to show how our players feel about her and her return to our team," Frost said. "She is just someone that everybody looks up to and trusts."
Frost also credits Stecklein's attitude as a quality that earned her an official leadership role.
"She could be having the worst day ever and we would never know about it," Frost said. "She's always positive and working to make you feel better, both on and off the ice."
Although Stecklein learned a lot from her Olympic experience, both technically and mentally, she is excited to be playing in Minnesota again. Having her family, friends and the supportive Gopher fan base surrounding her at games fuels that excitement.
Paired with a relieved laugh, she mused, "It's so good to be back."
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