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/ Women's Hockey
Meet the Newcomers: Peyton Hemp
8/4/2021 11:17:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Peyton Hemp joins the Gophers as a right-handed forward from Andover High School in Andover, Minn.
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Golden Gopher women's hockey team welcomes seven newcomers to the team for the 2021-22 season, including Peyton Hemp, a right-handed freshman forward from Andover, Minn., and Andover High School. Hemp shares some of her earliest hockey memories, her life away from the rink, why she decided to become a Gopher, and more.
Gopher Sports: How did you first get into hockey?
Peyton Hemp: I first got into hockey because my dad would always take me to open skate. I was obsessed with skating around the rink. Once my dad put a stick in my hand, I've loved it ever since.
GS: What's your earliest hockey memory?
PH: My earliest hockey memory would be when I first learned how to raise the puck. No one could raise it yet at my level, so I became determined to be the first one who could do it. I shot pucks for hours in the garage and tried and tried until I finally raised it. This experience shaped my growth in the sport because from that day forward, I knew I could reach any goal if I worked hard enough. I believed in myself more than ever and knew I could do anything I put my mind to. That made me the determined, hardworking player I am today.
GS: When did you realize that playing Division I hockey was a possibility for you?
PH: I realized that it was a possibility to play D1 hockey when I was 12, or so. That was when everyone had skill and it was a higher level of hockey.
GS: How did you choose the University of Minnesota?
PH: I went to a Gopher game when I was 8 with my dad and knew since then that I wanted to play here. It became my dream, and even though I looked into other schools, in the back of my head I knew this was where I wanted to be the whole time.
GS: What's your family like? How did they influence your playing career?
PH: My family, with a total of eight people, is big and crazy. They are also the most supportive and loving family I could ask for, and I want to make them proud. Playing hockey is one way that I can do that. It also makes me want to have the same thing in a team, and be super close and supportive of one another.
GS: How would your family describe you?
PH: My family would describe me as motivated and loving.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
PH: Growing up, my parents put me in any and every sport. My main favorites were karate, gymnastics, soccer, and hockey.
GS: What was your USA Hockey experience like?
PH: My USA hockey experience was nothing short of amazing. I got cut the first year I tried out for the U18 team, which was super tough, but I came back the next year and made it and could not have been happier. I learned so much both on and off the ice, and made great relationships along the way. Then, to top it all off with a gold medal at the world U18 championships was a dream come true.
GS: What do you like to do in your free time outside of hockey and school?
PH: In my free time when I'm not busy with school or hockey, I like to read and work out. I also love spending time with my family and being outside.
GS: Is there a hockey player you have admired or looked up?
PH: I have always looked up to Amanda Kessel.
GS: What was your high school hockey experience and winning a state title like?
PH: My high school hockey experience was awesome. Being able to play with my best friends every day is something that I am so grateful for. I love Andover and have so much pride in our city. Winning state my junior year has to be the best hockey memory I've had to this day. It was indescribable, just pure joy.
GS: Do you know what you want to major in and what career field you're interested in?
PH: I am planning on majoring in biology, and I want to go into the medical field. I'm not sure on the specific specialty yet.
GS: What's one part of your game that you're confident in and one part of your game you want to work on more?
PH: I am confident in my hockey IQ and the ability to see the ice and make plays. Something that I could work on is executing on all chances that I have, and making moves when I need to.
GS: Is there anything in particular that stood out to you about the team or the coaches on your visit that solidified your decision to come to the University of Minnesota?
PH: The winning culture is something that really drew me to the University of Minnesota. I like that there is an expectation to win. The team also seems like such a close knit family and that is super important to me. That was a big part of my decision to come here as well.
Quick Facts with Peyton Hemp!
Favorite pizza topping: sausage
Favorite season: Winter
Favorite hobby: hiking
Favorite TV show: The Office
Favorite TV couple: Jim and Pam
Favorite animal: Orangutan
Describe yourself in one word: awesome
Hockey players should always _________: be fearless
Favorite athlete: Serena Williams
Hidden talent: I can juggle
Name one food you refuse to eat: tomatoes
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Dream job: Dermatologist
Night person or morning person: morning
Favorite workout: weight lifitng
Biggest fear: sharks
Dream vacation: Bora Bora
Favorite sport to watch other than hockey: women's gymnastics
Gopher Sports: How did you first get into hockey?
Peyton Hemp: I first got into hockey because my dad would always take me to open skate. I was obsessed with skating around the rink. Once my dad put a stick in my hand, I've loved it ever since.
GS: What's your earliest hockey memory?
PH: My earliest hockey memory would be when I first learned how to raise the puck. No one could raise it yet at my level, so I became determined to be the first one who could do it. I shot pucks for hours in the garage and tried and tried until I finally raised it. This experience shaped my growth in the sport because from that day forward, I knew I could reach any goal if I worked hard enough. I believed in myself more than ever and knew I could do anything I put my mind to. That made me the determined, hardworking player I am today.
GS: When did you realize that playing Division I hockey was a possibility for you?
PH: I realized that it was a possibility to play D1 hockey when I was 12, or so. That was when everyone had skill and it was a higher level of hockey.
GS: How did you choose the University of Minnesota?
PH: I went to a Gopher game when I was 8 with my dad and knew since then that I wanted to play here. It became my dream, and even though I looked into other schools, in the back of my head I knew this was where I wanted to be the whole time.
GS: What's your family like? How did they influence your playing career?
PH: My family, with a total of eight people, is big and crazy. They are also the most supportive and loving family I could ask for, and I want to make them proud. Playing hockey is one way that I can do that. It also makes me want to have the same thing in a team, and be super close and supportive of one another.
GS: How would your family describe you?
PH: My family would describe me as motivated and loving.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
PH: Growing up, my parents put me in any and every sport. My main favorites were karate, gymnastics, soccer, and hockey.
GS: What was your USA Hockey experience like?
PH: My USA hockey experience was nothing short of amazing. I got cut the first year I tried out for the U18 team, which was super tough, but I came back the next year and made it and could not have been happier. I learned so much both on and off the ice, and made great relationships along the way. Then, to top it all off with a gold medal at the world U18 championships was a dream come true.
GS: What do you like to do in your free time outside of hockey and school?
PH: In my free time when I'm not busy with school or hockey, I like to read and work out. I also love spending time with my family and being outside.
GS: Is there a hockey player you have admired or looked up?
PH: I have always looked up to Amanda Kessel.
GS: What was your high school hockey experience and winning a state title like?
PH: My high school hockey experience was awesome. Being able to play with my best friends every day is something that I am so grateful for. I love Andover and have so much pride in our city. Winning state my junior year has to be the best hockey memory I've had to this day. It was indescribable, just pure joy.
GS: Do you know what you want to major in and what career field you're interested in?
PH: I am planning on majoring in biology, and I want to go into the medical field. I'm not sure on the specific specialty yet.
GS: What's one part of your game that you're confident in and one part of your game you want to work on more?
PH: I am confident in my hockey IQ and the ability to see the ice and make plays. Something that I could work on is executing on all chances that I have, and making moves when I need to.
GS: Is there anything in particular that stood out to you about the team or the coaches on your visit that solidified your decision to come to the University of Minnesota?
PH: The winning culture is something that really drew me to the University of Minnesota. I like that there is an expectation to win. The team also seems like such a close knit family and that is super important to me. That was a big part of my decision to come here as well.
Quick Facts with Peyton Hemp!
Favorite pizza topping: sausage
Favorite season: Winter
Favorite hobby: hiking
Favorite TV show: The Office
Favorite TV couple: Jim and Pam
Favorite animal: Orangutan
Describe yourself in one word: awesome
Hockey players should always _________: be fearless
Favorite athlete: Serena Williams
Hidden talent: I can juggle
Name one food you refuse to eat: tomatoes
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Dream job: Dermatologist
Night person or morning person: morning
Favorite workout: weight lifitng
Biggest fear: sharks
Dream vacation: Bora Bora
Favorite sport to watch other than hockey: women's gymnastics
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