University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Hockey
F
/ Women's Hockey
F
/ Women's Hockey
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Better Together
3/1/2019 8:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Look into what makes linemates Nicole Schammel, Taylor Wente, and Grace Zumwinkle so successful together.
MINNEAPOLIS -- For the second-straight season, linemates Nicole Schammel, Taylor Wente, and Grace Zumwinkle account for nearly a third of the Gophers' total points. What makes the combination of these three players so successful? Often to examine an outcome, one must first look at the separate components.
Schammel brings a wealth of experience to the table. As a redshirt senior, her veteran status provides a guiding hand for the line, as she has three years of collegiate hockey experience over her two sophomore linemates.
A product of Red Wing, Minnesota and Red Wing High School, Schammel has accumulated 86 points (35g-51a) in her three seasons as a Gopher. She leads the team in assists with 30 this season, while also totaling 12 goals.
Referred to as "regimented, competitive, serious, confident, and positive," by linemates Zumwinkle and Wente, Schammel's exceptional vision and instinct on the ice help generate success for the line.
"She leads by example," explained Wente. "She's not a very vocal person, but instead of telling us what to do, she shows us."
It's impossible to ignore Zumwinkle's shot. So difficult, in fact, she was named WCHA's Preseason Rookie of the Year before she started her freshman season at the University of Minnesota.
In her second season as a Gopher, Zumwinkle has amassed 39 points (23g-16a) this year and leads the team in total goals and power-play goals (five). This only adds to her career totals, which sit at 77 points (40g-37a).
A native of Excelsior, Minnesota and a graduate of Breck School, Zumwinkle is an offensive force to be reckoned with, having been named to the All-WCHA First Team for the second-consecutive season.
"Caring, fun, passionate, helpful, positive, and competitive," are the words that come to mind when her linemates think about Zumwinkle. Her love for the game and those around her only enhances her play.
"We all hold each other accountable," said Schammel, "but Grace's positivity keeps the game fun."
Wente can be described as "goofy, fun, independent, and quirky" by her linemates, but on the ice, Wente is just the opposite. With a career-high 26 points (12g-14a) this season, Wente has surpassed the 50-point mark for her career.
Hailing from Plymouth, Minnesota and Maple Grove High School, Wente's ability to bear down and show her hardworking demeanor on the ice while maintaining her essence of light-heartedness outside of the rink has only propelled the line forward this season.
"Wente is super hardworking and gritty when it comes to her style of play," Zumwinkle said. "She's fun to play with because she's willing to put in the work."
As three Minnesota-born players, the trio had heard of and played against each other in the Minnesotan high school sports scene, but their chemistry did not appear until they arrived on campus. Wente and Zumwinkle were freshman roommates in the dorms and found Schammel as a mentor on the team during the first weeks of practice.
"Schammel really took us under her wing when Grace and I got here and led us as a line, which was what we needed as freshmen coming into the program," Wente said. "She showed us the ropes and made us feel comfortable on and off the ice."
"Nicole showed us how things were done here and taught us how to stay consistent throughout the season," Zumwinkle echoed. "Two very important lessons."
From their first meeting, it was evident that there was a connection among the trio. Throughout the season, the athletes have been asked by reporters and fans alike what makes their line so successful, and it comes down to their individual but complementary strengths.
"My greatest strength is how I see the game and how I take the game in," Schammel said. "We each have different strengths and that's why we complement each other so well on the ice."
"As a line, we all know each other's strengths," Zumwinkle echoed. "Nicole has a really good vision of the ice and is able to see plays as they develop. Wente is super hardworking and gritty. We each have good shots and try to highlight moments for each of us, but we know our roles and are able to use them to the best of our abilities."
"I feel like Schammel and I are playmakers, which is nice because Grace is definitely more of a goal-scorer," reiterated Wente. "Having people who have vision on the ice is nice because it gives you the opportunity to be more creative to score goals and make plays. Our line doesn't really talk on the ice, but we seem to have an instinctual connection. Coach Frost always gets on us that we need to talk more, but we just know where each other are on the ice."
The linemates' innate connection has proven beneficial for the Gophers this season, particularly in the November series at Yale and the more recent Wisconsin series in January 2019, two memories mentioned by the line as their favorites so far this season.
"My favorite memory with our line this season has to be when we played Wisconsin at home," Schammel said. "We've been really consistent all year, but as a line, I think we stepped up and played well against Wisconsin's top line."
Though the Gophers split the series with Wisconsin, the two games were a success for the line. Schammel scored three of Minnesota's four goals, and Zumwinkle logged three assists.
Zumwinkle mentioned the same series as her favorite memory, saying, "It was a highlight for us as a line. We all came together and played really well."
For Wente, the Yale series stands out this season for her favorite.
"Our line really clicked those games," Wente remarked. "We did really well and were out there having fun at the same time. When we're having fun, we play better."
The line scored six of the Gophers' 10 goals that weekend, including a natural hat trick by Zumwinkle.
As much as their success develops from their time shared on the ice, the trio agreed the most important piece of their success comes from the time they spend together away from the rink.
Wente and Zumwinkle still live together, and Schammel is always close by, willing to study, grab lunch, or hang out when time allows. The trio is heavily involved in each other's pregame routines.
"If you have a connection off of the ice, it helps your communication and chemistry on the ice," Zumwinkle explained.
Each player on the Schammel-Wente-Zumwinkle line brings her own pieces to the puzzle, and if missing even one piece, the line would not be whole.
Sydney Johnson is an athletic communications student intern at the University of Minnesota and a contributing writer for GopherSports.com.
###
Schammel brings a wealth of experience to the table. As a redshirt senior, her veteran status provides a guiding hand for the line, as she has three years of collegiate hockey experience over her two sophomore linemates.
A product of Red Wing, Minnesota and Red Wing High School, Schammel has accumulated 86 points (35g-51a) in her three seasons as a Gopher. She leads the team in assists with 30 this season, while also totaling 12 goals.
Referred to as "regimented, competitive, serious, confident, and positive," by linemates Zumwinkle and Wente, Schammel's exceptional vision and instinct on the ice help generate success for the line.
"She leads by example," explained Wente. "She's not a very vocal person, but instead of telling us what to do, she shows us."
It's impossible to ignore Zumwinkle's shot. So difficult, in fact, she was named WCHA's Preseason Rookie of the Year before she started her freshman season at the University of Minnesota.
In her second season as a Gopher, Zumwinkle has amassed 39 points (23g-16a) this year and leads the team in total goals and power-play goals (five). This only adds to her career totals, which sit at 77 points (40g-37a).
A native of Excelsior, Minnesota and a graduate of Breck School, Zumwinkle is an offensive force to be reckoned with, having been named to the All-WCHA First Team for the second-consecutive season.
"Caring, fun, passionate, helpful, positive, and competitive," are the words that come to mind when her linemates think about Zumwinkle. Her love for the game and those around her only enhances her play.
"We all hold each other accountable," said Schammel, "but Grace's positivity keeps the game fun."
Wente can be described as "goofy, fun, independent, and quirky" by her linemates, but on the ice, Wente is just the opposite. With a career-high 26 points (12g-14a) this season, Wente has surpassed the 50-point mark for her career.
Hailing from Plymouth, Minnesota and Maple Grove High School, Wente's ability to bear down and show her hardworking demeanor on the ice while maintaining her essence of light-heartedness outside of the rink has only propelled the line forward this season.
"Wente is super hardworking and gritty when it comes to her style of play," Zumwinkle said. "She's fun to play with because she's willing to put in the work."
As three Minnesota-born players, the trio had heard of and played against each other in the Minnesotan high school sports scene, but their chemistry did not appear until they arrived on campus. Wente and Zumwinkle were freshman roommates in the dorms and found Schammel as a mentor on the team during the first weeks of practice.
"Schammel really took us under her wing when Grace and I got here and led us as a line, which was what we needed as freshmen coming into the program," Wente said. "She showed us the ropes and made us feel comfortable on and off the ice."
"Nicole showed us how things were done here and taught us how to stay consistent throughout the season," Zumwinkle echoed. "Two very important lessons."
From their first meeting, it was evident that there was a connection among the trio. Throughout the season, the athletes have been asked by reporters and fans alike what makes their line so successful, and it comes down to their individual but complementary strengths.
"My greatest strength is how I see the game and how I take the game in," Schammel said. "We each have different strengths and that's why we complement each other so well on the ice."
"As a line, we all know each other's strengths," Zumwinkle echoed. "Nicole has a really good vision of the ice and is able to see plays as they develop. Wente is super hardworking and gritty. We each have good shots and try to highlight moments for each of us, but we know our roles and are able to use them to the best of our abilities."
"I feel like Schammel and I are playmakers, which is nice because Grace is definitely more of a goal-scorer," reiterated Wente. "Having people who have vision on the ice is nice because it gives you the opportunity to be more creative to score goals and make plays. Our line doesn't really talk on the ice, but we seem to have an instinctual connection. Coach Frost always gets on us that we need to talk more, but we just know where each other are on the ice."
The linemates' innate connection has proven beneficial for the Gophers this season, particularly in the November series at Yale and the more recent Wisconsin series in January 2019, two memories mentioned by the line as their favorites so far this season.
"My favorite memory with our line this season has to be when we played Wisconsin at home," Schammel said. "We've been really consistent all year, but as a line, I think we stepped up and played well against Wisconsin's top line."
Though the Gophers split the series with Wisconsin, the two games were a success for the line. Schammel scored three of Minnesota's four goals, and Zumwinkle logged three assists.
Zumwinkle mentioned the same series as her favorite memory, saying, "It was a highlight for us as a line. We all came together and played really well."
For Wente, the Yale series stands out this season for her favorite.
"Our line really clicked those games," Wente remarked. "We did really well and were out there having fun at the same time. When we're having fun, we play better."
The line scored six of the Gophers' 10 goals that weekend, including a natural hat trick by Zumwinkle.
As much as their success develops from their time shared on the ice, the trio agreed the most important piece of their success comes from the time they spend together away from the rink.
Wente and Zumwinkle still live together, and Schammel is always close by, willing to study, grab lunch, or hang out when time allows. The trio is heavily involved in each other's pregame routines.
"If you have a connection off of the ice, it helps your communication and chemistry on the ice," Zumwinkle explained.
Each player on the Schammel-Wente-Zumwinkle line brings her own pieces to the puzzle, and if missing even one piece, the line would not be whole.
Sydney Johnson is an athletic communications student intern at the University of Minnesota and a contributing writer for GopherSports.com.
###
Follow Women's Hockey
Women's Hockey Tickets
Experience the excitement and tradition connecting generations of Gopher fans! Create memories for a lifetime with your friends and family while you root for your Golden Gophers. Get Tickets
Support Women's Hockey
Support the University of Minnesota Women's Hockey program. Your support helps our student-athletes succeed athletically, academically, and socially. It takes just seconds to make a monthly or one-time donation. Thank you for your support! Give Now
Highlights: Gophers 6, St. Cloud State 1
Sunday, March 01
Highlights: Gophers 4, St. Cloud State 1
Saturday, February 28
Abbey Murphy Breaks Goals Record
Saturday, February 28
Highlights: Gophers 2, UMD 3
Friday, February 20