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Photo by: Brad Rempel
Meet the Newcomers: Crystalyn Hengler
8/15/2018 9:05:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Crystalyn Hengler joins the Gopher women's hockey team as a freshman defense from Eden Prairie, Minn.
MINNEAPOLIS -- Freshman Crystalyn Hengler joins the Maroon & Gold from Eden Prairie, Minn. A two-time all-state, three-time all-conference, and two-time all-metro honoree in hockey, Hengler was a two-sport letterwinner at Eden Prairie High School, earning letters in hockey and lacrosse. As a senior, she recorded 41 points (20g-21a) in 31 games and led Eden Prairie to a fourth-place finish at the 2018 Minnesota State Class AA Tournament. A 2018 Minnesota Ms. Hockey semifinalist, Hengler was part of Eden Prairie's state championship team as a sophomore in 2015-16. She also won gold with the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team at the 2016 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship.
Gopher Sports: How did you first start playing hockey?
Crystalyn Hengler: I was watching an NHL game with my mom and I was really intrigued by the goalie, so I wanted to start playing and being a goalie. I started off being a goalie, but then I realized I hated it. I played goalie for not even a full season, so it was pretty quick. I started skating, not actually playing hockey, when I was about two years old. I probably didn't start actually playing hockey until I was four or five years old.
GS: What is your earliest hockey memory?
CH: Probably making it to the State Tournament. I used to play with boys until my eighth grade year, and making it to state, regardless of what place we finished, was a good memory.
GS: What was it like switching from boys hockey to girls hockey?
CH: It was awesome. I was fortunate to have the group of guys that I did. They were fond of me and were always really respectful, so I was definitely fortunate to play with them.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up? What was it about hockey that intrigued you?
CH: I played football and soccer. With hockey, I would say the physical aspect and the quick rush of adrenaline you get when you skate down the ice and getting the cold, fresh air in your mask.
GS: How would you describe your high school hockey experience?
CH: I was fortunate enough to make varsity my eighth grade year. The older girls took me under their wing and really respected me. We were successful almost every year, and even though we didn't make it to state for one of my years, it was really awesome.
GS: How did you choose the University of Minnesota?
CH: The whole culture really intrigued me. When I first walked in, I just felt welcomed. I could tell the coaching staff trusted me and I already had trust in them. I felt like I was close with all of them from the get-go.
GS: When did you know that it was going to be possible for you to play Division I hockey?
CH: I would say my eighth grade year because that's when I received my first couple of recruiting letters. That's when I started to have hope.
GS: What are you most looking forward about being a Gopher?
CH: Representing my hometown, playing in front of a lot of family, and being part of such a highly talented conference where we play against other great teams will be awesome.
GS: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
CH: In high school, I had a lot – to the point where it was kind of ridiculous. I would always have to order the same thing from Jimmy John's before a game. It needed to be the same exact time of day; if it was a few minutes off I would be mad. I always listened to the same playlist as well. I could go on for a while because I had a lot of them. I was very superstitious.
GS: Who was your hockey role model growing up?
CH: I would say Erik Karlsson because I have a similar playing style. He is an offensive-minded defenseman. He's very physical, and he has a really nice shot. I admire how he can still be offensive while playing defense.
GS: If you had a free day without homework, class, or practice, what would you do?
CH: I would probably lay around and tan, or play some board games with my family. Then maybe I would go rollerblading later that night.
GS: Do you know what you want to major in?
CH: Kinesiology. My whole life I have loved science classes because they are always hands on, so I wanted to take a science route with a mix of sports as well. I've been involved with sports my whole life, so I wanted to mix those two together.
GS: What was your USA hockey experience like?
CH: My experience was a little different than my teammates. I didn't make it to Lake Placid the year that I made the team. I was called up for the Worlds Tournament, and it was an awesome experience. The older girls really respected us and showed us how to come together as one even though we were all from different parts of the country.
Face Off with Crystalyn Hengler
Hot coffee or cold coffee: No coffee for me.
Favorite movie: Baby Mama
Favorite band/type of music: I don't have a favorite band, but I would say hip hop or pop.
If you could play another sport, it would be: Lacrosse
Favorite animal: Dog
Who is the best player you've ever played against: Meghan Duggan
Name one word that describes you: Energetic
Favorite Netflix series: Walking Dead
Name one thing on your bucket list: Skydiving
Biggest pet peeve: Loud chewers
Name one food you could never live without: Corn on the cob
Name one food you will never eat: Beets
What is your advice for young athlete: Make sure you are always coachable. When you get mad or frustrated with a coach or a teammate, make sure you're coachable and able to be taught. Live and play with no regrets, because you never know when it will be your last time on the ice.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you: I have seven brothers -- one younger and six older.
Favorite holiday: Christmas
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Gopher Sports: How did you first start playing hockey?
Crystalyn Hengler: I was watching an NHL game with my mom and I was really intrigued by the goalie, so I wanted to start playing and being a goalie. I started off being a goalie, but then I realized I hated it. I played goalie for not even a full season, so it was pretty quick. I started skating, not actually playing hockey, when I was about two years old. I probably didn't start actually playing hockey until I was four or five years old.
GS: What is your earliest hockey memory?
CH: Probably making it to the State Tournament. I used to play with boys until my eighth grade year, and making it to state, regardless of what place we finished, was a good memory.
GS: What was it like switching from boys hockey to girls hockey?
CH: It was awesome. I was fortunate to have the group of guys that I did. They were fond of me and were always really respectful, so I was definitely fortunate to play with them.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up? What was it about hockey that intrigued you?
CH: I played football and soccer. With hockey, I would say the physical aspect and the quick rush of adrenaline you get when you skate down the ice and getting the cold, fresh air in your mask.
GS: How would you describe your high school hockey experience?
CH: I was fortunate enough to make varsity my eighth grade year. The older girls took me under their wing and really respected me. We were successful almost every year, and even though we didn't make it to state for one of my years, it was really awesome.
GS: How did you choose the University of Minnesota?
CH: The whole culture really intrigued me. When I first walked in, I just felt welcomed. I could tell the coaching staff trusted me and I already had trust in them. I felt like I was close with all of them from the get-go.
GS: When did you know that it was going to be possible for you to play Division I hockey?
CH: I would say my eighth grade year because that's when I received my first couple of recruiting letters. That's when I started to have hope.
GS: What are you most looking forward about being a Gopher?
CH: Representing my hometown, playing in front of a lot of family, and being part of such a highly talented conference where we play against other great teams will be awesome.
GS: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
CH: In high school, I had a lot – to the point where it was kind of ridiculous. I would always have to order the same thing from Jimmy John's before a game. It needed to be the same exact time of day; if it was a few minutes off I would be mad. I always listened to the same playlist as well. I could go on for a while because I had a lot of them. I was very superstitious.
GS: Who was your hockey role model growing up?
CH: I would say Erik Karlsson because I have a similar playing style. He is an offensive-minded defenseman. He's very physical, and he has a really nice shot. I admire how he can still be offensive while playing defense.
GS: If you had a free day without homework, class, or practice, what would you do?
CH: I would probably lay around and tan, or play some board games with my family. Then maybe I would go rollerblading later that night.
GS: Do you know what you want to major in?
CH: Kinesiology. My whole life I have loved science classes because they are always hands on, so I wanted to take a science route with a mix of sports as well. I've been involved with sports my whole life, so I wanted to mix those two together.
GS: What was your USA hockey experience like?
CH: My experience was a little different than my teammates. I didn't make it to Lake Placid the year that I made the team. I was called up for the Worlds Tournament, and it was an awesome experience. The older girls really respected us and showed us how to come together as one even though we were all from different parts of the country.
Face Off with Crystalyn Hengler
Hot coffee or cold coffee: No coffee for me.
Favorite movie: Baby Mama
Favorite band/type of music: I don't have a favorite band, but I would say hip hop or pop.
If you could play another sport, it would be: Lacrosse
Favorite animal: Dog
Who is the best player you've ever played against: Meghan Duggan
Name one word that describes you: Energetic
Favorite Netflix series: Walking Dead
Name one thing on your bucket list: Skydiving
Biggest pet peeve: Loud chewers
Name one food you could never live without: Corn on the cob
Name one food you will never eat: Beets
What is your advice for young athlete: Make sure you are always coachable. When you get mad or frustrated with a coach or a teammate, make sure you're coachable and able to be taught. Live and play with no regrets, because you never know when it will be your last time on the ice.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you: I have seven brothers -- one younger and six older.
Favorite holiday: Christmas
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