University of Minnesota Athletics
Spotlight on Kelsey Cline
9/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
By Hannah Barnes, Athletic Communications Student Intern
MINNEAPOLIS - Gopher defenseman Kelsey Cline approaches her senior year with high expectations as she and her fellow seniors hope to carry on the Gopher women's hockey program's team culture both on and off the ice.
Cline has been part of a class that has won two national championships, two WCHA regular-season titles, and one WCHA Final Face-Off championship; she and her fellow seniors have played in three national championship games, finishing as runners-up as freshmen in 2013-14.
"Every team shoots for it, but to be able to have played in three national championships and have won two is kind of unbelievable," Cline said.
She hopes that her class will leave a lasting impact on the Gopher women's hockey program beyond their legacy on the ice. The Bloomington, Minn., native approaches each day with a positive mindset.
"We hope that we can help the younger girls in the locker room carry on our culture year after year," Cline said. "Making a big impact off the ice with the group of girls and having them carry it on would be great."
Cline wants to spend her senior year improving personally on the ice while providing leadership for the underclassmen on the team.
"Personally, I hope to contribute on the ice as much as I can," Cline said. "Whatever I do, whether I kill penalties or play five-on-five, I just play to the best that I can.
"I am looking forward to being able to lead in the locker room and pull this group together," Cline said. "My style of leadership is based on being able to connect with a lot of people."
Cline, a marketing major with a minor in human resources, is also a leader in the classroom, studying in the University of Minnesota's prestigious Carlson School of Management. She is a two-time WCHA Scholar Athlete and WCHA All-Academic honoree.
On the ice, Cline hopes that the Gopher women's hockey team can come together and have another successful season.
"As a team, we are going to shoot for all three trophies and just take it a game at a time," Cline said.
Cline notes that her time with the Gophers has gone by quickly. She intends to enjoy her last year with a team that she has already shared so many great experiences.
"To describe it Gopher women's hockey is really hard, but it is really a special sisterhood and family. Year after year, it gets better and better."
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