University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Harrison Barden
Gulstene Announces Retirement from Hockey
1/22/2020 3:45:00 PM | Women's Hockey
Junior goaltender Alex Gulstene has left the team and retired from hockey while remaining a University of Minnesota student.
MINNEAPOLIS – Junior goaltender Alex Gulstene and University of Minnesota women's hockey head coach Brad Frost announced today that Gulstene has left the team and retired from hockey because of lingering concussion symptoms from an injury suffered earlier this season.
"My time as a hockey player at the University of Minnesota meant a lot to me," Gulstene said. "Going in, I didn't know what to expect, but coming out, I definitely grew a family here. All of the support I've received throughout my injury and during my career here has been amazing. There were several factors that went into my decision to step away from hockey, but the importance of my personal health, including both my mental health and physical health, was the main deciding factor."
"Alex's health is everyone's top priority, so we respect and understand her decision to retire from hockey," Frost said. "We certainly wish we could have her on the ice with us, but we know it was a difficult decision for her and her family. Alex plans to continue her academics and earn her degree from the University of Minnesota, which we are happy about. We understand and support Alex and wish her the best in her continued recovery and her life as she moves on from hockey."
Gulstene started Minnesota's first game of the 2019-20 season, making six saves on six shots faced in the first period of a 2-0 season-opening win over Colgate. She left the game after the first period and has not returned to the ice for the Maroon & Gold.
In her time with the Gophers, Gulstene appeared in 37 games and posted a record of 28-5-2 with three shutouts. She played in 13 games as a freshman in 2017-18 before going 20-3-0 as a sophomore and leading the Maroon & Gold to an NCAA runner-up finish in 2018-19. Gulstene closes out her collegiate career with a .912 save percentage and a 1.90 goals against average.
"Being able to represent such a prestigious university by putting on the Minnesota jersey for as long as I did was super important and foundational for my self-image as I move forward," Gulstene said. "I want the fans to know that I really appreciate all of their support, both in face-to-face meetings and general support of the team. At games and all of our team events, all of the support, kind words, and encouragement that I, and we as a team, have received the last two and a half years of my college career have been really motivational, especially now as I get back into 'real world' things. I know I can do it, and I know there are people who I can reach out to if I need help."
The Vancouver, British Columbia native remains enrolled in classes at the University of Minnesota, majoring in Cultural Studies & Comparative Literature with a minor in Art.
"I've had a lot of time to think about what I want to do moving forward," Gulstene said of her academic plans. "I'm focusing more on cultural studies and art and English, and trying to put those toward something like game development or narrative storytelling. Thankfully I can still graduate on time without too much strain, which is awesome. I have three relatively normal semesters ahead of me, and I'm looking forward to getting back to class."
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"My time as a hockey player at the University of Minnesota meant a lot to me," Gulstene said. "Going in, I didn't know what to expect, but coming out, I definitely grew a family here. All of the support I've received throughout my injury and during my career here has been amazing. There were several factors that went into my decision to step away from hockey, but the importance of my personal health, including both my mental health and physical health, was the main deciding factor."
"Alex's health is everyone's top priority, so we respect and understand her decision to retire from hockey," Frost said. "We certainly wish we could have her on the ice with us, but we know it was a difficult decision for her and her family. Alex plans to continue her academics and earn her degree from the University of Minnesota, which we are happy about. We understand and support Alex and wish her the best in her continued recovery and her life as she moves on from hockey."
Gulstene started Minnesota's first game of the 2019-20 season, making six saves on six shots faced in the first period of a 2-0 season-opening win over Colgate. She left the game after the first period and has not returned to the ice for the Maroon & Gold.
In her time with the Gophers, Gulstene appeared in 37 games and posted a record of 28-5-2 with three shutouts. She played in 13 games as a freshman in 2017-18 before going 20-3-0 as a sophomore and leading the Maroon & Gold to an NCAA runner-up finish in 2018-19. Gulstene closes out her collegiate career with a .912 save percentage and a 1.90 goals against average.
"Being able to represent such a prestigious university by putting on the Minnesota jersey for as long as I did was super important and foundational for my self-image as I move forward," Gulstene said. "I want the fans to know that I really appreciate all of their support, both in face-to-face meetings and general support of the team. At games and all of our team events, all of the support, kind words, and encouragement that I, and we as a team, have received the last two and a half years of my college career have been really motivational, especially now as I get back into 'real world' things. I know I can do it, and I know there are people who I can reach out to if I need help."
The Vancouver, British Columbia native remains enrolled in classes at the University of Minnesota, majoring in Cultural Studies & Comparative Literature with a minor in Art.
"I've had a lot of time to think about what I want to do moving forward," Gulstene said of her academic plans. "I'm focusing more on cultural studies and art and English, and trying to put those toward something like game development or narrative storytelling. Thankfully I can still graduate on time without too much strain, which is awesome. I have three relatively normal semesters ahead of me, and I'm looking forward to getting back to class."
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