University of Minnesota Athletics
Meet the Newcomers: Sophie Skarzynski
7/31/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Golden Gopher women's hockey team is excited to welcome nine new players for the upcoming season, including freshman Sophie Skarzynski, a native of Lake Forest, Ill. A left-handed defenseman with the ability to not only prevent goals, but also put the puck in the net, Skarzynski will join the Gophers for the 2015-16 season.
Skarzynski skated for the Chicago Mission during her high school career. As a senior, Skarzynski led the Mission to win a U-19 Tier I National Championship. Her international experience includes winning gold with the U.S. Under-18 Team at the 2015 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship. She also played in the 2014 tournament where she took home silver with the Red, White, and Blue.
Skarzynski joins Anna Barlow, Tianna Gunderson, Emma May, Caitlin Reilly, Nicole Schammel, Sarah Potomak, Sierra Smith and Taylor Williamson to make up next season's incoming class. Stay tuned as GopherSports.com introduces each of the new Gophers.
Gopher Sports: How did you start playing hockey?
Sophie Skarzynski: I am one of six kids. I have three older brothers, an older sister and a younger sister. All four of my older siblings played hockey, and it was big in my town. I'm from Chicago, and obviously the Blackhawks are a big deal there. My older brothers started playing because of them, so I did, too.
GS: What other sports did you play growing up?
SS: I played a lot of sports. I played baseball, softball, soccer, and gymnastics. I stuck with soccer up until freshman year of high school, and I probably would have continued through my senior year, but I developed tendonitis in my right knee, so I had to stop. It was probably a good thing, though, because it helped me focus more on hockey.
GS: What made you choose the University of Minnesota?
SS: I was looking at a couple of different places. I remember growing up and idolizing Angela Ruggiero, who played for Harvard. I came to the U and I was immediately obsessed, so I forgot about that!
The culture is amazing here; the atmosphere with the team is nice. The coaches closed the deal for me. Coach Frost, Coach Johnson and Coach Muz are all great people, who always have your best interest in mind. The insane record they have with the championships is almost just a bonus to everything else. I like how the girls are so welcoming; the men's and women's facilities are equal along with the academic support that is given. I don't know how I could have said no.
GS: Do you have a major or career field in mind?
SS: I am not really sure. I could see myself going into project management or business marketing with sports. I could also see myself straying away from sports and focusing on project management with medicine.
GS: Other than hockey, what do you like to do in your free time?
SS: In my free time I like to spend time with my family and friends! I am one of six kids, so family time is pretty important to me, especially when we are all together. In addition, I love to run, read and write, and do yoga.
GS: What are you most looking forward to about playing for the Gophers?
SS: I have only been here for a few weeks, and it's already been so much fun. I love going to the rink and skating; I got the chills when I stepped out there for the first time, even though we were just shooting pucks. I think I am most excited for the athletic and academic experience combined. It's really nice to wake up, work out, go to class, and then come and study with your team. I'm really excited to throw the jersey on for the first time. I have heard the home games are crazy, so the first time I step on the ice here I am going to be pretty excited.
GS: Who was your hockey role model growing up?
SS: I really like Jonathan Toews; I remember when the Blackhawks drafted him and Patrick Kane. It was supposed to be a big deal because they were going to change the team, and they did, obviously, since they have won three Stanley Cups in the past six years. I look up to Toews because he is a very good leader, on and off the ice, and he's really good too.
I also really look up to Gigi Marvin because she went here and was really good, and then went to the Olympics. I like her because she is really versatile, she can play both forward and defense, which is also my case. On the national team I played forward, but here I am going to play defense.
GS: What is your favorite part about playing hockey?
SS: The opportunities it has given me. For example, I went to Europe last year with the national team. It gives me the chance to be a leader on and off the ice. Also, it is like an escape for me. I can have a bad day, then get on the ice and forget about it. It offers another family, and that's very important to me since I am from a big family at home. Being that most of the girls on the team are from Minnesota, it's nice to have a second family since I am so far from home.
GS: How did you join the Chicago Mission?
SS: Growing up, I played with the boys. It got to a point when it wasn't safe since they were so big, so I had to switch over to a girls' program. I called up Tony Cachey, who is the head of the girls' program. I chose them because they have sent a girl to every Division I school in the country. They have so many connections, and their record is great; for example, we won the national championship this year. They are the hockey-producing factory in Chicago.
Not only did I choose them because of their reputation, but they also have great academic success; it is so important to them to send girls to college. I knew I wanted to play D-I college hockey, so it was a great fit for me. Another great thing about the Mission is that the boys and girls programs are treated equally. Every team had their own locker room, the same ice slots, the same trainers, so it's a really great program.
GS: What was it like winning a national championship with the Mission?
SS: I can't even explain it! Our team had been in the championship or semifinal game for the past six years, and each time we took home silver or bronze. So this year, I really wanted to win since it was my senior year. Coach Cachey, who was the director of the girls program and our head coach, was a father figure to me, and he was crying after we won. It was really awesome to see that he wanted to win just as badly as we did.
I think people also thought of us as a team who could never finish, even though we were placed number one in the country throughout the year. It was pretty unforgettable since I grew up with those girls. We beat Shattuck St. Mary, which was really fun, since we were battling for the number one spot all year. To beat them in a close game with a final score of 3-2 was awesome.
GS: Can you describe your experiences with the U.S. Under-18 team?
SS: I can remember growing up when I was little hearing about USA hockey, and finding out that there was a girls' team. I think every little girl that's a hockey player dreams of going to the Olympics. It was cool to be able to be part of something bigger than yourself, and to put that jersey on. A lot of my family serves in the army, and obviously playing hockey is nothing close to that, but they all thought it was really cool to wear the Red, White, and Blue. I still remember my first game, I was really nervous. Also, I was able to travel to Budapest, and I had never been to Europe before, so that was awesome. I got to do all of this with all of my closest friends, who I still keep in touch with.
Joel Johnson was the head coach, which was great because I was able to get a start with him before I came to Minnesota. This year was the best because we were at home in Buffalo, N.Y., and we won in overtime against Canada after a tough loss to them the previous year. It was amazing to be standing on the blue line with the gold medal around our necks, singing our national anthem. As far as its impact, I think it has pushed me to work harder on and off the ice. I would have to stay in sometimes while hanging out with my friends from school because I would have hockey in the morning, and they wouldn't understand, but when we won the world championship, it all paid off. It has taught me discipline and how to work for my goals on and off the ice.
GS: What do you think your biggest accomplishment so far in hockey is?
SS: I was lucky throughout hockey to be able to have so many opportunities and to play at different levels. I would say my biggest accomplishment is winning the gold medal with the national team, and then winning a national championship with the Mission. Another highlight would be when I was named an assistant captain during my third year of playing with the boys. I had a coach who respected girls and girls' hockey, and he took me under his wing. I think at first the guys were taken back because I was a girl, but it all worked out and was really cool.
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