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Meet the Newcomers: Emily Zumwinkle
8/8/2021 10:09:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Emily Zumwinkle joins the Gophers as a right-handed defenseman from Excelsior, Minn., and the Breck School.
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Golden Gopher women's hockey team welcomes seven newcomers to the team for the 2021-22 season, including Emily Zumwinkle, a right-handed freshman defenseman from Excelsior, Minn., and the Breck School. Emily is the younger sister of Gopher senior forward Grace Zumwinkle. Zumwinkle shares some of her earliest hockey memories, her USA Hockey experience, why she decided to become a Gopher, and more.
Gopher Sports: How did you first get into hockey?
Emily Zumwinkle: I first got into hockey when I was four years old. Both of my older sisters started playing at a young age as well, so I repeatedly asked my parents if they could buy me a pair of skates so I could play with them.
GS: What's your earliest hockey memory?
EZ: My earliest hockey memory was when I first started playing and my parents had signed me up for a weekly camp with Breakaway hockey. My dad would always come home early from work to drive me and it became our routine together. He loved taking me and it meant everything having him there watching me.
GS: How do you think your early hockey experience shaped your growth in the sport?
EZ: My early hockey experience was incredible. I played for the Minnetonka Skippers growing up. I got to meet a lot of people through hockey and it just continuously made me want to keep coming back to the rink. Having older sisters playing the sport also really kept me motivated and excited about all the opportunities that could come from hockey.
GS: When did you realize that playing Division I hockey was a possibility for you?
EZ: I first realized Division 1 hockey would be a possibility for myself when my older sister Grace committed here to the University of Minnesota. I was beyond excited for her and that is when I truly realized I wanted to be just like her. She constantly reminded me that if I continued to work hard good things would come of it.
GS: How did you choose the University of Minnesota?
EZ: I chose the University of Minnesota for the opportunity to succeed both athletically and academically at the highest level. The University has great academics with a wide variety of majoring options. The hockey program is continuously one of the top programs in the country with such an incredible staff, coaches and team atmosphere. Ever since I stepped on campus, it really felt like home and I knew this is where I was meant to be.
GS: What's your family like? How did your sister, Grace, influence your playing career?
EZ: My family is amazing. They are all so supportive and similar to me in the sense where they love to be around each other and spend time together. We all are really athletic and hard working which makes it so fun to be able to play with and against each other in different sports. Grace has been such a great role model for me ever since I was little. Even within the little time you are with her, you can tell she is super hard working and is really driven to be the best she can be. This has really motivated me to work hard and become the best version of myself as a player and a person. We are best friends so it just comes natural that we do everything together. We really complement each other well. We love training together and we both share a common goal of making each other the best we can be.
GS: How would your family describe you?
EZ: I think my family would definitely describe me as outgoing, loving, and hardworking. I really enjoy helping others and making others feel a part of something special. I work really hard at everything I do and strive to become the best player and person I can be.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
EZ: Yes, I played high school tennis and golf on top of hockey.
GS: What was your USA Hockey experience like?
EZ: My USA hockey experience has been incredible. I have had the opportunity to attend multiple USA hockey camps which has been something so special to me. Being able to represent your country and play with the best players in the country is an amazing feeling and experience. I am super thankful for the opportunities I have been given to represent USA hockey.
GS: What do you like to do in your free time outside of hockey and school?
EZ: I love spending time with my family and friends. I really enjoy going to church with them, going on the boat, traveling, and playing golf, tennis, and pickleball.
GS: Is there a hockey player you have admired or looked up?
EZ: I have always admired Winny Brodt and Lee Stecklein. They are both perfect examples of a great player, person, and leader.
GS: What was your high school hockey experience and winning three state championships like?
EZ: My high school hockey experience was incredible. My 8th grade year, first year on Varsity was special to play with Grace as a senior. I will never forget hugging her on the ice in the sectional final when we lost to Blake in overtime. Then I had the privilege of winning three state championships with Breck. Being able to win the state tournament with your best friends is a feeling like no other. Over my 5 years on the team, there was something really special about being able to see the team come together every year and work towards that common goal we had together.
GS: What's it like going to the same school as one of your high school teammates, Sadie Lindsay?
EZ: It is awesome! I am super thankful for the opportunity to be able to play with my good friend and high school teammate, Sadie Lindsay. We push each other to be better on and off the ice and get along really well. We have been best friends and teammates since we were little and I am so excited that we get to live out our childhood dream of playing for the Gophers together!
GS: Do you know what you want to major in and what career field you're interested in?
EZ: I am planning on majoring in Business and Marketing. I am really interested in understanding how companies market products to different customers.
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?
EZ: A part of my game that I am really confident in is my ability to use my speed and offensive skill to join the rush and get good opportunities to shoot the puck or make a play to my teammates. Something I am continuing to work on is my ability to see a lane through traffic to give me a better scoring opportunity.
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?
EZ: Something that stood out to me when I first committed to the University of Minnesota was the way the coaches really made me feel a part of the team and program. You could tell they wanted what was best for me and wanted to help me achieve my goals. The team was all super welcoming and really showed me what it's like to be a family within the team.
Quick Facts with Emily Zumwinkle!
Favorite pizza topping: cheese
Favorite season: Fall
Favorite hobby: pickleball
Favorite TV show: Outerbanks
Favorite TV couple: Meredith and Derek (Grey's Anatomy)
Favorite animal: dog
Describe yourself in one word: outgoing
Hockey players should always _________: be confident
Favorite athlete: Serena Williams
Hidden talent: ceramics
Name one food you refuse to eat: Nutella
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Dream job: CEO of a designer company
Night person or morning person: morning
Favorite workout: skating and running
Biggest fear: snakes
Dream vacation: Paris
Favorite sport to watch other than hockey: tennis, gymnastics, and golf
Gopher Sports: How did you first get into hockey?
Emily Zumwinkle: I first got into hockey when I was four years old. Both of my older sisters started playing at a young age as well, so I repeatedly asked my parents if they could buy me a pair of skates so I could play with them.
GS: What's your earliest hockey memory?
EZ: My earliest hockey memory was when I first started playing and my parents had signed me up for a weekly camp with Breakaway hockey. My dad would always come home early from work to drive me and it became our routine together. He loved taking me and it meant everything having him there watching me.
GS: How do you think your early hockey experience shaped your growth in the sport?
EZ: My early hockey experience was incredible. I played for the Minnetonka Skippers growing up. I got to meet a lot of people through hockey and it just continuously made me want to keep coming back to the rink. Having older sisters playing the sport also really kept me motivated and excited about all the opportunities that could come from hockey.
GS: When did you realize that playing Division I hockey was a possibility for you?
EZ: I first realized Division 1 hockey would be a possibility for myself when my older sister Grace committed here to the University of Minnesota. I was beyond excited for her and that is when I truly realized I wanted to be just like her. She constantly reminded me that if I continued to work hard good things would come of it.
GS: How did you choose the University of Minnesota?
EZ: I chose the University of Minnesota for the opportunity to succeed both athletically and academically at the highest level. The University has great academics with a wide variety of majoring options. The hockey program is continuously one of the top programs in the country with such an incredible staff, coaches and team atmosphere. Ever since I stepped on campus, it really felt like home and I knew this is where I was meant to be.
GS: What's your family like? How did your sister, Grace, influence your playing career?
EZ: My family is amazing. They are all so supportive and similar to me in the sense where they love to be around each other and spend time together. We all are really athletic and hard working which makes it so fun to be able to play with and against each other in different sports. Grace has been such a great role model for me ever since I was little. Even within the little time you are with her, you can tell she is super hard working and is really driven to be the best she can be. This has really motivated me to work hard and become the best version of myself as a player and a person. We are best friends so it just comes natural that we do everything together. We really complement each other well. We love training together and we both share a common goal of making each other the best we can be.
GS: How would your family describe you?
EZ: I think my family would definitely describe me as outgoing, loving, and hardworking. I really enjoy helping others and making others feel a part of something special. I work really hard at everything I do and strive to become the best player and person I can be.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
EZ: Yes, I played high school tennis and golf on top of hockey.
GS: What was your USA Hockey experience like?
EZ: My USA hockey experience has been incredible. I have had the opportunity to attend multiple USA hockey camps which has been something so special to me. Being able to represent your country and play with the best players in the country is an amazing feeling and experience. I am super thankful for the opportunities I have been given to represent USA hockey.
GS: What do you like to do in your free time outside of hockey and school?
EZ: I love spending time with my family and friends. I really enjoy going to church with them, going on the boat, traveling, and playing golf, tennis, and pickleball.
GS: Is there a hockey player you have admired or looked up?
EZ: I have always admired Winny Brodt and Lee Stecklein. They are both perfect examples of a great player, person, and leader.
GS: What was your high school hockey experience and winning three state championships like?
EZ: My high school hockey experience was incredible. My 8th grade year, first year on Varsity was special to play with Grace as a senior. I will never forget hugging her on the ice in the sectional final when we lost to Blake in overtime. Then I had the privilege of winning three state championships with Breck. Being able to win the state tournament with your best friends is a feeling like no other. Over my 5 years on the team, there was something really special about being able to see the team come together every year and work towards that common goal we had together.
GS: What's it like going to the same school as one of your high school teammates, Sadie Lindsay?
EZ: It is awesome! I am super thankful for the opportunity to be able to play with my good friend and high school teammate, Sadie Lindsay. We push each other to be better on and off the ice and get along really well. We have been best friends and teammates since we were little and I am so excited that we get to live out our childhood dream of playing for the Gophers together!
GS: Do you know what you want to major in and what career field you're interested in?
EZ: I am planning on majoring in Business and Marketing. I am really interested in understanding how companies market products to different customers.
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?
EZ: A part of my game that I am really confident in is my ability to use my speed and offensive skill to join the rush and get good opportunities to shoot the puck or make a play to my teammates. Something I am continuing to work on is my ability to see a lane through traffic to give me a better scoring opportunity.
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?
EZ: Something that stood out to me when I first committed to the University of Minnesota was the way the coaches really made me feel a part of the team and program. You could tell they wanted what was best for me and wanted to help me achieve my goals. The team was all super welcoming and really showed me what it's like to be a family within the team.
Quick Facts with Emily Zumwinkle!
Favorite pizza topping: cheese
Favorite season: Fall
Favorite hobby: pickleball
Favorite TV show: Outerbanks
Favorite TV couple: Meredith and Derek (Grey's Anatomy)
Favorite animal: dog
Describe yourself in one word: outgoing
Hockey players should always _________: be confident
Favorite athlete: Serena Williams
Hidden talent: ceramics
Name one food you refuse to eat: Nutella
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Dream job: CEO of a designer company
Night person or morning person: morning
Favorite workout: skating and running
Biggest fear: snakes
Dream vacation: Paris
Favorite sport to watch other than hockey: tennis, gymnastics, and golf
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