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Photo by: Brad Rempel
Five Minutes with Taylor Wente
11/28/2018 8:15:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Sophomore forward Taylor Wente caught up with the Voice of Gopher Women's Hockey Dan Hamann last weekend.
MINNEAPOLIS -- Sophomore forward Taylor Wente chatted with the Voice of Gopher Women's Hockey Dan Hamann before the team's 8-2 win over St. Lawrence last Friday. Wente reflected on her freshman year, her chemistry with her linemates, Thanksgiving traditions, and more.
Dan Hamann: Today in Gopher Women's Hockey, coming from you from Burlington, Vermont, I'm joined by sophomore forward Taylor Wente. Taylor has seven points so far this year, four goals and three assists. Taylor, as you think about this year and all the new faces, how has this team changed from this year compared to last year with as many new people coming into the program this year?
Taylor Wente: I think of the incoming freshmen, I knew everyone except for Amy. I've played with Crystalyn and Catie and Emily since I was about twelve years old, so knowing them for a while has helped. I was able to lead them through the process and show them how everything works. I knew their personalities, how they play, so it made it a lot easier.
DH: What's been the hardest part having that many girls come in?
TW: I think figuring out your routine. Last year that was my hardest thing coming in. There was a lot to learn with getting your schedule down. I think that's what the freshman saw this year, and that it's pretty overwhelming. I was really trying to help them through that process and make it easier for them to transition.
DH: For you as a freshman, what was the hardest part for you? Besides getting into a routine, maybe in more of a playing-style thing.
TW: I think figuring out your role on the team. Each year, your role changes on the team, so being conscious of that, and also getting to know everyone. Coming in, I didn't know a lot of people on the team, besides the freshmen class, so I think connecting and getting to know them wasn't hard for me, but it was just something I had to do, which is pretty standard for coming into a new team.
DH: You've been fortunate through your career to be paired with the same people, like with Zumwinkle and Schammel. What to you has made that line gel as good as it has been?
TW: I feel like we all use our strengths in a good way. We all have a good connection on and off the ice, like I've known Zum for a while and room with her, so I think that helps. Schammel I didn't really know, I had to figure out how she plays and how she is a person. All of our positive components as we play and how we are as people combined makes a really good line. We all use our skills and combine them to work. Having Scham last year playing with two incoming freshman was probably hard for her, but she really took us under her wing and helped. She's a really good leader on the ice, and helped myself and Zum be comfortable and play the way we should.
DH: What's your number one strength you bring to the line?
TW: I'd probably say that I'm a play-maker, so giving them the puck and seeing plays on the ice. That's a really hard question (laughs).
DH: Your most memorable goal was probably the overtime goal at Mercyhurst. Was that your favorite memory in your career here at Minnesota?
TW: I'd say one of my favorite on-ice memories would be winning the WCHA championship. Our line -- I think our line played really well in that game, and it was fun to play and compete like we know we can. Some games, our line can be really up and down, but that was one of the best games we've all had.
DH: I know it can be tough being away from family and friends over Thanksgiving. Do you have any special Thanksgiving memories or traditions that you celebrate?
TW: We always celebrate with my mom and dad's side, so it was weird to be away from them, since we spend every Thanksgiving with them. Not yesterday but the day before, I went home and celebrated with my mom's side which was fun, and then my dad's side came over for Thanksgiving the next day. I didn't get to see them, but I will for Christmas.
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| Listen to Wente's interview. |
Dan Hamann: Today in Gopher Women's Hockey, coming from you from Burlington, Vermont, I'm joined by sophomore forward Taylor Wente. Taylor has seven points so far this year, four goals and three assists. Taylor, as you think about this year and all the new faces, how has this team changed from this year compared to last year with as many new people coming into the program this year?
Taylor Wente: I think of the incoming freshmen, I knew everyone except for Amy. I've played with Crystalyn and Catie and Emily since I was about twelve years old, so knowing them for a while has helped. I was able to lead them through the process and show them how everything works. I knew their personalities, how they play, so it made it a lot easier.
DH: What's been the hardest part having that many girls come in?
TW: I think figuring out your routine. Last year that was my hardest thing coming in. There was a lot to learn with getting your schedule down. I think that's what the freshman saw this year, and that it's pretty overwhelming. I was really trying to help them through that process and make it easier for them to transition.
DH: For you as a freshman, what was the hardest part for you? Besides getting into a routine, maybe in more of a playing-style thing.
TW: I think figuring out your role on the team. Each year, your role changes on the team, so being conscious of that, and also getting to know everyone. Coming in, I didn't know a lot of people on the team, besides the freshmen class, so I think connecting and getting to know them wasn't hard for me, but it was just something I had to do, which is pretty standard for coming into a new team.
DH: You've been fortunate through your career to be paired with the same people, like with Zumwinkle and Schammel. What to you has made that line gel as good as it has been?
TW: I feel like we all use our strengths in a good way. We all have a good connection on and off the ice, like I've known Zum for a while and room with her, so I think that helps. Schammel I didn't really know, I had to figure out how she plays and how she is a person. All of our positive components as we play and how we are as people combined makes a really good line. We all use our skills and combine them to work. Having Scham last year playing with two incoming freshman was probably hard for her, but she really took us under her wing and helped. She's a really good leader on the ice, and helped myself and Zum be comfortable and play the way we should.
DH: What's your number one strength you bring to the line?
TW: I'd probably say that I'm a play-maker, so giving them the puck and seeing plays on the ice. That's a really hard question (laughs).
DH: Your most memorable goal was probably the overtime goal at Mercyhurst. Was that your favorite memory in your career here at Minnesota?
TW: I'd say one of my favorite on-ice memories would be winning the WCHA championship. Our line -- I think our line played really well in that game, and it was fun to play and compete like we know we can. Some games, our line can be really up and down, but that was one of the best games we've all had.
DH: I know it can be tough being away from family and friends over Thanksgiving. Do you have any special Thanksgiving memories or traditions that you celebrate?
TW: We always celebrate with my mom and dad's side, so it was weird to be away from them, since we spend every Thanksgiving with them. Not yesterday but the day before, I went home and celebrated with my mom's side which was fun, and then my dad's side came over for Thanksgiving the next day. I didn't get to see them, but I will for Christmas.
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