University of Minnesota Athletics
Five Minutes with Caitlin Reilly
12/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- Junior Caitlin Reilly joined the Golden Gopher women's hockey team as a sophomore after spending her freshman season playing for Penn State. Now a junior at Minnesota, Reilly reflects on her career with the Maroon & Gold so far and shares what it's like coming from a hockey family.
Gopher Sports: After a year under your belt, how much more comfortable are you with your environment at the University of Minnesota?
Caitlin Reilly: I have gotten a lot more comfortable just by being here for a year, not only with the girls but with my play and knowing the campus better. Everything seems to be a better fit so far.
GS: You were reunited with a former high school teammate Kelly Pannek when you transferred to Minnesota. Did it put your mind at ease already knowing some of your Gopher teammates?
CR: It was fun knowing my past teammate. Also it was fun to know so many girls from Minnesota. Kelly definitely helped make the transitions easier and helped me get used to the Gopher ways.
GS: What was it like playing high school hockey at Benilde-St. Margaret's? What makes it so successful developing D1 players?
CR: When I graduated from there, we had so many girls going D1. I think there were six or seven of us in our class. I don't really know how to describe it, but a lot of good girls like to go there and we had a successful team. It was fun.
GS: What kind of pre-game rituals do you have before games?
CR: I definitely re-tape my back-up stick for big games. I don't really have too many pre-game rituals. I like to listen to music on the way to the games. Usually Sarah Potomak, Tianna Gunderson, Taylor Williamson and I eat raspberries and Nutella, just a few before the game. Other than that I just kind-of stick to my normal thing, pre-game warm-ups and whatnot.
GS: What was it like coming back home to Minnesota and having so many family connections to Gopher hockey?
CR: Obviously when I first came back after my freshmen year, transferring back here, I had two brothers still on the team so it was a huge help not just having family close, but actually on campus with you, going to school with them and having them play right next door. Also with Mikey, just watching him continue to play with the Minnesota Wild is pretty cool.
GS: Do you get any good family games together when you all go home?
CR: Yeah, over winter break a lot. We have a rink out front of my yard. My dad usually floods it. We like to play a few games of pond hockey on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with our family and extended family. Hopefully we'll get to do that again.
GS: What's it like watching your brother play in the NHL?
CR: It's fun, not only just being happy for him that he is playing in the NHL, but it's fun to be able to go watch him 10 minutes away from campus and support him through that. It's fun to be able to watch him all the time compared to most people.
GS: What has improved in your game since your arrival at the University of Minnesota? What have you worked on the hardest and what has improved the most?
CR: I think the biggest thing I have improved is just my confidence. I think my role has changed a little bit this year, I have become not only a better skater but overall I have become better on how I perform in the D zone. Like I said, my confidence has really gone up. I am able to create more and be more of an impact player rather than just a grinder out there. It's been good for me.
GS: Your very first game with the Gophers was against your old team, Penn State. You had a shot on your first shift that you put off the crossbar. Do you remember that?
CR: Yes, I do. Too bad it didn't go in, especially against my old team. From that game on, overall my full game has gotten a lot better, and I am really happy about it.
Listen to Reilly's complete interview hosted by the voice of Gopher women's hockey, Dan Hamann.
Reilly's Favorites...
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite musician: Chainsmokers or Calvin Harris
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite TV show: Grey's Anatomy
Favorite sport other than hockey: Gymnastics
Favorite practice drill: BC Two Shot
Favorite class at the U: ASL
Favorite book: Dear John
Favorite candy: Starbursts
Favorite restaurand: Haiku
Favorite animal: Dog
Favorite holiday: My birthday
Role model: Gigi Hadid
Favorite thing to do in your spare time: Watch Netflix
Favorite super hero: Spiderman
Who would play you in a movie: Amy Schumer
###
