University of Minnesota Athletics
IIHF Women's Worlds Recap with Potomak
4/17/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - Sarah Potomak made her debut at the IIHF Women's World Championship and took home silver with Canada's National Women's Team earlier this month. GopherSports.com caught up with the sophomore to reflect on her experience.
Gopher Sports: How did you find out you made the team?
Sarah Potomak: We had a conference call and had set times. It was about a month before Worlds. I was on the call with the head coaches and Mel, who is the GM. The head coaches told me I made the team. I called my family right after and told them the news.
GS: What was the week like from your perspective?
SP: It was amazing playing with those players. The team that we had was tons of fun. I feel like I learned a lot and stepped up my game. The atmosphere there was incredible, especially the final game when it was sold-out. I feel like again, I stepped my game up a lot, and it was just a great experience and obviously, a huge honor to represent Canada.
GS: What did you take away from the tournament?
SP: Probably the biggest takeaway was the feeling I had when we lost. I'm going to use that to motivate me. I think everyone on my team can say that as well. I think just new things that I learned from my game to continue to work on and just what it takes to make it to the next level and to be a complete player.
GS: What is biggest difference between collegiate and international play?
SP: I have to say the speed of the game is probably the biggest thing. It's fast paced, you don't really have time to think about what you're doing, and same with the physicality of the game. Everyone is just older, stronger, and bigger, so I think it's more physical, especially when we played the U.S.
GS: What was the highlight of the tournament for you?
SP: The gold medal game was really fun. Developing relationships with the team and just playing at that level is a huge highlight, too.
GS: What's next for you with Hockey Canada?
SP: Hopefully I can be centralized and try out for the Olympics this coming year. It's a dream of mine to be able to play in the Olympics. I'm just going to keep working and try to stay in the program as long as I can. My dream would be to play as many Olympic Games and World Championships as I can.
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