University of Minnesota Athletics
Experience Gives Schipper Confidence
8/25/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
By Hannah Barnes, Athletic Communications Student Intern
MINNEAPOLIS -- Kate Schipper enters her senior season as an assistant captain of the Gopher women's hockey team, joining fellow seniors Lee Stecklein (captain) and Dani Cameranesi (assistant captain) in leading this year's squad. Schipper and the Gopher seniors bring a wealth of experience to the team, having played in three-straight national championship games.
Schipper was an integral member of both the 2015 and 2016 NCAA national championship teams. During her freshman season, the Gophers also made it to the national championship game but finished as NCAA runners-up following a 5-4 loss to Clarkson. Although it was a tough loss, Schipper said it has helped her.
"I think it helps a lot since we've been there three times and know what it takes," Schipper said. "We know what it takes to win but also know the feeling of losing."
Being on both sides of that final game, Schipper hopes that she and her classmates can use that experience to help prepare the underclassmen for what lies ahead this season.
Schipper prefers a style of leadership she describes as quiet; she uses her example and experiences to guide her teammates.
"Other people have the job of talking and getting people going, but I'm more of a quiet leader," Schipper said. "I lead by hard work."
Schipper comes into the 2016-17 season with the same goals for the team that they have had in the past, which are to win the WCHA regular season conference title, the WCHA Final Face-off tournament, and the NCAA tournament.
As a captain, her individual goals are to embrace her role on the team and help everyone else embraces their roles, as well.
"That's a big part of our success," Schipper said. "Once you get your role, you know it, understand it, and do it to the best of your ability. I think we do that really well as a team."
Schipper is confident about her senior season, stating she thinks that the Gophers have all the pieces necesssary for another successful year.
"I think we will be pretty solid this year with the freshmen coming in and the players we have returning," Schipper said. "I'm just ready for the season to start."
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