University of Minnesota Athletics
Meet the Newcomers: Grace Zumwinkle
6/28/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – The Golden Gophers add five new players to the roster for the 2017-18 season, including Grace Zumwinkle.
A right-handed forward out of Excelsior, Minn., Zumwinkle had a decorated high school hockey career. She competed for Breck High School, where she posted 58 points (42g-16a) in 23 games during her senior season. Following her senior season, she was named the 2017 All-USA Girls Hockey Player of the Year and 2017 Minnesota Ms. Hockey award recipient.
Zumwinkle has also had national team experience as she has suited up for the Red, White, and Blue during the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championships, earning gold at the 2016 and 2017 tournaments.
Zumwinkle joins Emily Brown, Alex Gulstene, Olivia Knowles, and Taylor Wente to make up next season’s incoming class. The sixth member of the class, Amy Potomak, will delay her arrival to the University of Minnesota while training with Canada’s National Women’s Team in preparation for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
Gopher Sports: How did you start playing hockey?
Grace Zumwinkle: I went to kindergarten one day and one of my good guy friends had a pamphlet saying he was going to join hockey. I immediately wanted to join, too. I made my parents go out and get the starter kit, and the night before I sat crying in my bed telling my parents that I didn’t want to go. My parents insisted that I go since I signed up and bought all the equipment. I went, and I was by far the worst one out there. Boys were just skating circles around me. I came off the ice, and despite my inability, I thought I was the best one out there. I have loved it ever since.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
GZ: Yes, I played tennis and golf in high school. I also played soccer growing up.
GS: What do you like to do in your free time?
GZ: I like to travel, spend time with family, golf, and hang out on the lake.
GS: What are you most looking forward to about playing for the Gophers?
GZ: It’s always been a dream of mine to play here, so I think putting that jersey on for the first time will be exciting. It’s always been a goal of mine.
GS: Who is your hockey role model?
GZ: Probably Winny Brodt. She’s been a coach of mine for a few years now. I think she has just been a great mentor for me.
GS: What do you like best about playing hockey?
GZ: I think just the competitive nature. I like to win.
GS: When did you know that playing at the next level was possible?
GZ: I think in eighth grade when I made the high school team. It had always been a goal of mine, and I was training with girls who also wanted the same thing.
GS: How do you think being a three-sport athlete in high school helped you?
GZ: I think golf and tennis are both mental sports. You need to be able to bounce back, especially after a bad shot. I think resilience is something that has been key. There is also agility in other sports that carries into hockey.
GS: How did it feel to be named All-American multiple times?
GZ: It’s something I never really thought about. It’s such a great honor. I think it tests everyone’s work ethic, especially all the players that are named to the team.
GS: How did it feel to win gold with Team USA?
GZ: It was such a special experience, especially to share it with some of the girls I’ve grown up playing with. It was nice to beat Canada in the gold medal game.
GS: How did it feel to be named the All-USA Girls Hockey Player of the Year?
GZ: It was such a cool honor. I couldn’t have gotten there without my teammates, coaches, or parents, with all their support.
GS: What was it like to be named Ms. Hockey this year?
GZ: There is a long list ahead of me of accomplished females in the sport. It’s exciting to be named to the list along with them.
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