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Meet the Newcomers: Josey Dunne
8/13/2020 2:36:00 PM | Women's Hockey
Josey Dunne joins the Gophers as a left-handed defense from O’Fallon, Mo., and the Chicago Mission.
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Golden Gopher women's hockey team welcomes eight newcomers to the team for the 2020-21 season, including Josey Dunne, a left-handed freshman defense from O'Fallon, Mo., and the Chicago Mission. Dunne shares how she got into hockey, how she chose the University of Minnesota, what it was like growing up in a hockey family, and more.
Gopher Sports: How did you first get into hockey?
Josey Dunne: My older brother Josh started playing hockey. My sisters and I were figure skaters, and after watching Josh play hockey, we thought it looked like a lot more fun. Our parents asked if we wanted to try, and we did. We grew up going to St. Louis Blues games, and those were always fun to watch. I think our parents just finally decided to let us try it, so that's how I got into hockey.
GS: What's your earliest hockey memory?
JD: My earliest hockey memory is probably playing roller hockey with my siblings. Growing up I think I was always watching them.
GS: When did you realize that playing Division I hockey was a realistic possibility for you?
JD: I would say my eighth grade year when schools started to reach out to me, I think additionally having two older sisters who ended up playing for Ohio State – seeing them go through the process made me realize it was something I wanted to do.
GS: How did you choose the University of Minnesota?
JD: The first college hockey game I ever saw was the University of Minnesota versus Wisconsin, and it was the best women's hockey game I've ever watched. It was a close game. Minnesota won 2-1, and I think from then on, I had this love and interest in Minnesota. Having two older sisters, I asked them where they thought they could see me playing because they know my personality really well, and they both thought I would love Minnesota. As soon as I visited, I fell in love completely.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
JD: My parents put us in just about every sport growing up. I think I did basketball and volleyball up until eighth grade, and then I just completely focused on hockey. I think having three older siblings that played hockey piqued my interest. We are a competitive family, so I wanted to keep playing hockey.
GS: What it like for you playing for the Chicago Mission?
JD: It was definitely an adventure. I billeted all four years of high school, so I lived with three different families. Playing with the Mission was just an unbelievable experience. I had a great time.
GS: How did you decide to go that route?
JD: Abbey Murphy and I played together at West Coast Selects, and she recommended I try out for the Mission. That's how I ended up with the Mission. After my first practice, I was exhausted, but I told my parents that was where I wanted to play.
GS: What's your family like?
JD: We're super close. We're a very competitive family, whether it's who gets the last piece of bread on the table or who is going to win knockout in basketball, but I think it's great because we all push each other and it's all out of love.
GS: Who is your hockey role model?
JD: I think I would have to say my older three siblings. Because we are such a close family, if I have any questions, they are who I go to. Growing up though, I always loved Alex Pietrangelo. He plays for the Blues. He plays a solid game, and he's a stay-at-home defense.
GS: Do you know what you want to major in or what career path you hope to pursue?
JD: I think I want to major in Business and Marketing, but I want to be a physical therapist. Maybe I'll major in Kinesiology. After having some injuries on my own, I saw how much physical therapy can actually help. I wanted to do something that helps people, and physical therapy is a way to do that.
GS: What is one part of your game that you're confident in and one part of your game that you are looking forward to working on this year?
JD: I think I see the ice really well. I find the open player on the back door or find my corner. I think one thing that I hope to improve is my first three strides and just being quicker off the start.
GS: What was it like for you wrapping up your senior year last spring?
JD: It was an adventure to say the least. It was hard how everything ended so suddenly. One thing our coaches told us at the beginning of the year was to make the most of it and that you never know how many games you have left. The whole year, we tried to cherish each moment. It was definitely crazy being a senior and graduating on Zoom.
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Gopher Sports: How did you first get into hockey?
Josey Dunne: My older brother Josh started playing hockey. My sisters and I were figure skaters, and after watching Josh play hockey, we thought it looked like a lot more fun. Our parents asked if we wanted to try, and we did. We grew up going to St. Louis Blues games, and those were always fun to watch. I think our parents just finally decided to let us try it, so that's how I got into hockey.
GS: What's your earliest hockey memory?
JD: My earliest hockey memory is probably playing roller hockey with my siblings. Growing up I think I was always watching them.
GS: When did you realize that playing Division I hockey was a realistic possibility for you?
JD: I would say my eighth grade year when schools started to reach out to me, I think additionally having two older sisters who ended up playing for Ohio State – seeing them go through the process made me realize it was something I wanted to do.
GS: How did you choose the University of Minnesota?
JD: The first college hockey game I ever saw was the University of Minnesota versus Wisconsin, and it was the best women's hockey game I've ever watched. It was a close game. Minnesota won 2-1, and I think from then on, I had this love and interest in Minnesota. Having two older sisters, I asked them where they thought they could see me playing because they know my personality really well, and they both thought I would love Minnesota. As soon as I visited, I fell in love completely.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
JD: My parents put us in just about every sport growing up. I think I did basketball and volleyball up until eighth grade, and then I just completely focused on hockey. I think having three older siblings that played hockey piqued my interest. We are a competitive family, so I wanted to keep playing hockey.
GS: What it like for you playing for the Chicago Mission?
JD: It was definitely an adventure. I billeted all four years of high school, so I lived with three different families. Playing with the Mission was just an unbelievable experience. I had a great time.
GS: How did you decide to go that route?
JD: Abbey Murphy and I played together at West Coast Selects, and she recommended I try out for the Mission. That's how I ended up with the Mission. After my first practice, I was exhausted, but I told my parents that was where I wanted to play.
GS: What's your family like?
JD: We're super close. We're a very competitive family, whether it's who gets the last piece of bread on the table or who is going to win knockout in basketball, but I think it's great because we all push each other and it's all out of love.
GS: Who is your hockey role model?
JD: I think I would have to say my older three siblings. Because we are such a close family, if I have any questions, they are who I go to. Growing up though, I always loved Alex Pietrangelo. He plays for the Blues. He plays a solid game, and he's a stay-at-home defense.
GS: Do you know what you want to major in or what career path you hope to pursue?
JD: I think I want to major in Business and Marketing, but I want to be a physical therapist. Maybe I'll major in Kinesiology. After having some injuries on my own, I saw how much physical therapy can actually help. I wanted to do something that helps people, and physical therapy is a way to do that.
GS: What is one part of your game that you're confident in and one part of your game that you are looking forward to working on this year?
JD: I think I see the ice really well. I find the open player on the back door or find my corner. I think one thing that I hope to improve is my first three strides and just being quicker off the start.
GS: What was it like for you wrapping up your senior year last spring?
JD: It was an adventure to say the least. It was hard how everything ended so suddenly. One thing our coaches told us at the beginning of the year was to make the most of it and that you never know how many games you have left. The whole year, we tried to cherish each moment. It was definitely crazy being a senior and graduating on Zoom.
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