University of Minnesota Athletics
Five Minutes with Alex Woken
11/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - Freshman Alex Woken scored her first collegiate goal in just her second career game with the Golden Gophers this year. Before coming to the University of Minnesota, Woken won two world championships with the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team and completed a standout career at Shattuck-St. Mary's.
The Fargo, N.D., native reflects her USA Hockey experience, how she chose the University of Minnesota, hockey memories, interests outside hockey, and more.
Gopher Sports: What was it like winning multiple championships with the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team?
Alex Woken: Yeah, it was really fun. Such a great experience, I got to meet so many new people, so many great players, great coaches, and got to win a couple of world championships.
GS: How did you decide to come to the University of Minnesota after growing up in Fargo, N.D.?
AW: Growing up, my dad worked with the football team mainly [at North Dakota State University]. NDSU and UND have a huge rivalry, so I was never able to wear UND stuff in the house or anywhere. No one was able to come into our house with UND stuff. So, since NDSU didn't have a hockey team, the next closest team was the University of Minnesota so I always cheered for them.
GS: So, it was a no-brainer to continue your hockey career here in Minnesota?
AW: Yeah, it has always been a dream of mine, so it's pretty amazing that I'm here now. I am having a blast.
GS: What are your earliest memories of hockey?
AW: Honestly, I think we went to hockey games as a family when I was pretty young and then I decided I wanted to play. My parents didn't let me play hockey until I had a year of skating lessons, and I was still pretty brutal at skating. That kind of started it, but my parents never played; my family never played.
GS: When did you realize you actually had some skills and really liked hockey?
AW: I always loved playing. I always loved going to practice, going to games. I think when I went to Shattuck, I kind of realized that I could possibly play at the next level if I kept working hard.
GS: What do you think is your best skill?
AW: Probably my speed. I work on it a lot in the off-season, so I would hope that it would pay off a little bit.
GS: What does it take to become faster on the ice?
AW: I think just putting in the time in the off-season. You can work on it in-season, just quick sprints and stuff, but a lot of your hard work that you put into the off-season really pays off when it comes to the season.
GS: What's it like playing with so many skilled players on this Gophers team?
AW: It's such an honor to be on this team. When I committed here, I knew there were going to be some really good players here. I am so grateful to put on the jersey with these amazing girls every day.
GS: You're an avid golfer. What else do you like to do outside of playing hockey?
AW: Yeah, I actually think I golfed longer than I played hockey. It's always kind of been a family thing. I love to golf in my off-time in the summer with my family a lot. I also like to go to the lake and go out on our boat. I actually have two dogs that I love a lot, too.
GS: What do you like to do on the water?
AW: I like to tube, ski a little bit, kneeboard. I haven't really wake boarded or wake surfed before, but maybe one day.
GS: You're looking at neuroscience or biomedical engineering as a major. How did you get interested in the medical field?
AW: Yeah, right now my intended major is neuroscience with the hopes of going to either medical or vet school. There are really interesting classes.
Listen to Woken's complete interview hosted by the voice of Gopher women's hockey, Dan Hamann.
Woken's favorites...
Favorite food: Ice cream
Favorite music: Country
Favorite color: Purple
Favorite TV show: Scandal
Favorte sport other than hockey: Golf
Favorite candy: Kit Kat
Favorite holiday: Christmas
First job: Hockey camp counselor
Biggest fear: Snakes
Favorite super hero: King Kong
Who would play you in a movie: Emma Watson
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