University of Minnesota Athletics
Alumni Spotlight: Hannah Brandt
12/5/2019 8:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey, M Club
Hannah Brandt is one of several Gopher women's hockey alums participating in the PWHPA this season.
MINNEAPOLIS -- Hannah Brandt is one of several Gopher women's hockey alums participating in the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) this season. Brandt caught up with GopherSports.com to share what the season has been like for her so far, reflect on her Gophers career, and more.
Gopher Sports: In your own words, what does it mean to you to be working on growing girls and women's hockey with the PWHPA this season?
Hannah Brandt: I am lucky to have had so many great experiences and opportunities from the sport of hockey, so I want to make sure those opportunities continue to exist and get even better for the next generation of hockey players. Professional women's hockey has so much potential, and I'm excited by the growth every day.
GS: What have your events with the PWHPA been like so far? Is there a moment that stands out for you? You've done some unique things from the showcases in New Hampshire and Chicago, meeting Billie Jean King, and the Sharks alumni game, and it seems like the PWHPA is all over the country.
HB: The events have been great so far! I think the level of excitement from the fans has been overall the thing that stands out the most to me. We have been all over the place, which is great for us as players and for us to be able to reach new fans.
GS: What is the most rewarding thing about being part of the PWHPA?
HB: I would say just knowing we are doing what we can to make the future of professional women's hockey in North America better than we found it. It's a long road with no easy solution or route, but I have enjoyed the events that I have been a part of so far and am looking forward to the rest of this season.
GS: What are your short-term and long-term hockey goals (PWHPA, next Olympics, etc)?
HB: I am still actively training to try and earn a spot on the 2022 Olympic team. That seems so far away right now, but time flies so I'd say that is definitely a goal of mine.
GS: What's the Rivalry Series with Canada like? Is it different playing Canada when there's not a gold medal on the line?
HB: Any game against Canada is a battle. Not having a gold medal on the line doesn't seem to really change the intensity level much. Those are the games we train for, and they are a blast to play in. You would never know the games don't "count" towards anything.
GS: Where has life taken you since graduation?
HB: I am currently living in St. Paul, and my hockey training takes up a decent amount of my time. Other than that I am also an assistant coach at Hill-Murray High School, and I do a program called Face-off for Fitness with the Minnesota Wild. We travel to schools all across the Twin Cities to talk to elementary school kids about the importance of eating healthy and exercising. Eventually I'll probably end up back in school for something related to healthcare, and I am also really excited about that.
GS: How did college hockey help prepare you for life after college?
HB: The college hockey season is a grind between balancing both academics and athletics, but I believe that taught me how to manage my time and priorities. I also met so many amazing people while at the university of Minnesota and those connections have already been so helpful in my years since graduating.
GS: What is your favorite memory of your time as a Gopher?
HB: Hard to pick but I'd say all three national championships I was lucky enough to be a part of. Each one was so special and unique. I am so grateful for my time at the University of Minnesota and will never forget the people (teammates, coaches, staff, fans, etc.) who made that time so fun and memorable.
GS: What advice would you give your college self or the current Gophers?
HB: I heard this a million times while I was in college but the time flies. It really does -- you blink and you're playing in your last game and then all of a sudden graduating. So just enjoy all the time you have as a member of GWH and try to stay in the moment.
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Gopher Sports: In your own words, what does it mean to you to be working on growing girls and women's hockey with the PWHPA this season?
Hannah Brandt: I am lucky to have had so many great experiences and opportunities from the sport of hockey, so I want to make sure those opportunities continue to exist and get even better for the next generation of hockey players. Professional women's hockey has so much potential, and I'm excited by the growth every day.
GS: What have your events with the PWHPA been like so far? Is there a moment that stands out for you? You've done some unique things from the showcases in New Hampshire and Chicago, meeting Billie Jean King, and the Sharks alumni game, and it seems like the PWHPA is all over the country.
HB: The events have been great so far! I think the level of excitement from the fans has been overall the thing that stands out the most to me. We have been all over the place, which is great for us as players and for us to be able to reach new fans.
GS: What is the most rewarding thing about being part of the PWHPA?
HB: I would say just knowing we are doing what we can to make the future of professional women's hockey in North America better than we found it. It's a long road with no easy solution or route, but I have enjoyed the events that I have been a part of so far and am looking forward to the rest of this season.
GS: What are your short-term and long-term hockey goals (PWHPA, next Olympics, etc)?
HB: I am still actively training to try and earn a spot on the 2022 Olympic team. That seems so far away right now, but time flies so I'd say that is definitely a goal of mine.
GS: What's the Rivalry Series with Canada like? Is it different playing Canada when there's not a gold medal on the line?
HB: Any game against Canada is a battle. Not having a gold medal on the line doesn't seem to really change the intensity level much. Those are the games we train for, and they are a blast to play in. You would never know the games don't "count" towards anything.
GS: Where has life taken you since graduation?
HB: I am currently living in St. Paul, and my hockey training takes up a decent amount of my time. Other than that I am also an assistant coach at Hill-Murray High School, and I do a program called Face-off for Fitness with the Minnesota Wild. We travel to schools all across the Twin Cities to talk to elementary school kids about the importance of eating healthy and exercising. Eventually I'll probably end up back in school for something related to healthcare, and I am also really excited about that.
GS: How did college hockey help prepare you for life after college?
HB: The college hockey season is a grind between balancing both academics and athletics, but I believe that taught me how to manage my time and priorities. I also met so many amazing people while at the university of Minnesota and those connections have already been so helpful in my years since graduating.
GS: What is your favorite memory of your time as a Gopher?
HB: Hard to pick but I'd say all three national championships I was lucky enough to be a part of. Each one was so special and unique. I am so grateful for my time at the University of Minnesota and will never forget the people (teammates, coaches, staff, fans, etc.) who made that time so fun and memorable.
GS: What advice would you give your college self or the current Gophers?
HB: I heard this a million times while I was in college but the time flies. It really does -- you blink and you're playing in your last game and then all of a sudden graduating. So just enjoy all the time you have as a member of GWH and try to stay in the moment.
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