University of Minnesota Athletics
Pannek Impressive in Rookie Season
2/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
By Rachel Timmerman, Athletic Communications Student Intern
MINNEAPOLIS - At the start of her freshman season back in October, Kelly Pannek didn't anticipate having as much success on the ice as she is.
"I didn't really expect much coming in because I think that you set yourself up for problems there," Pannek said.
But head coach Brad Frost knew she would be an asset to the team.
"When we recruited her, we had big plans for her," Frost said.
In her first collegiate season, Pannek has already earned three WCHA Rookie of the Week awards, and the season is far from over.
"She's adjusted really well to the game and found her role on the team," senior Meghan Lorence said. "She's improved a lot."
In addition to transitioning to college, Pannek also had to adjust to the collegiate hockey level of play.
"When you're a freshman, that first semester is really difficult," head coach Brad Frost said. "The first few weeks, we played top-10 teams every single game, so it didn't allow for her to ease into the whole college game."
But after each shift, Pannek says she feels herself becoming more comfortable in what she's doing on the ice.
"Every single week, she's becoming more confident in herself and has turned into one of our best players," senior Rachael Bona said. "I know she was getting frustrated at the beginning of the year because it is a different game than high school, but she's done a really great job."
Pannek is linemates with senior captains Bona and Lorence, who offer their guidance and experience to the freshman.
"Having Rachael and Meghan as linemates has helped me a lot," Pannek said. "They are understanding if I make a mistake, and they'll also point out what I can do differently. They're just supportive of everything on and off the ice."
And off the ice is where Pannek helps her teammates out, by knowing all the answers to any questions they have.
"She knows everything, I'm not kidding on that," Bona said. "We call her `Wikipedia' because if you have a question about any random fact, she will know about it."
Pannek is also mindful of the history of the women's hockey program, and she and the team hope to live up to those expectations.
"I think everyone's dream is to win a national championship," Pannek said. "I don't think our team wants to settle for anything less."
The WCHA First Round begins Feb. 27, and the Gophers are gearing up for another postseason run, a first for Pannek.
"We're getting to the point now in the season where she has to be one of the best players on the ice," Frost said. "That's a lot of pressure for a freshman, but we believe that she can handle it."
After this season, the young player still has three more years to show the rest of her potential.
"She's just one of those people that you should keep watching and paying attention to," Bona said. "She'll be someone that's exciting to watch in the future."
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