University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Meet the Newcomers: Olivia Arkell
9/24/2021 11:13:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Olivia Arkell comes to the Gophers as a right-handed defender from Stillwater, Minn., and Hamline University.
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Golden Gopher women's hockey team welcomes nine newcomers to the team for the 2021-22 season, including Olivia Arkell, a right-handed defenseman from Stillwater, Minn., and Hamline University. Olivia details her journey to the Gophers, her goals after school, and more.
Gopher Sports: How did you first get into hockey?
Olivia Arkell: I used to figure skate and my best friend at the time could do the Waltz Jump and I couldn't. It ate me alive that I couldn't. That's when I knew I needed to be in a more competitive sport.
GS: What's your earliest hockey memory?
OA: I tried out for the Stillwater HS team in 8th grade purely for the experience. I was under the assumption I wouldn't make it so I never checked the roster. My sister tried out for the team too and she was sitting at the computer refreshing the roster results every minute. I was sitting in the kitchen when she came over to me and said, "Olivia you made it!" I remember feeling absolutely dumbfounded. Then, the excitement kicked in.
GS: When did you realize that playing Division I hockey was a possibility for you?
OA: When I was in 10th Grade I had my first D1 offer. However, a majority of my offers were out east and I wanted to stay close to home.
GS: How did you choose the University of Minnesota?
OA: Due to COVID-19, I had an extra year of eligibility. This May, I graduated from Hamline and I didn't want to go back there for grad school. I planned on getting a 'big girl job' until I found out that my coaches at Hamline, Jake [Bobrowski] and Natalie [Darwitz] moved over to the U of M. That is when I found out there was room for one additional defender on the Gophers. The rest is history and now I've been blessed with the opportunity to play for the University of Minnesota!
GS: What's your family like? How did they influence your playing career?
OA: My family members are my biggest supporters. I have a very large family on my dad's side and often 10+ family members would come to watch my games. Seeing a big group of my family at my games motivated me to play well for them. I knew how much they enjoyed watching me skate so I always wanted to give 110% when they attended due to everything they've done to support me throughout my hockey career.
GS: How would your family describe you?
OA: My family would probably describe me as ambitious.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
OA: I played lacrosse and soccer along with hockey. My 10th grade year I started focusing on playing hockey year round.
GS: How has Coach Darwitz and Coach Bobrowksi influenced your play?
OA: Natalie and Jake made me a better hockey player in the first three months of my collegiate career than my entire five years of high school hockey. They provided real expertise on the sport and pushed me harder than I've ever been pushed. Most importantly, they taught me mental toughness and how to play with confidence. It completely changed my game in a positive manner.
GS: What do you like to do in your free time outside of hockey and school?
OA: I really enjoy the outdoors so I like to get outside to hike, run, go for walks, or simply sit outside listening to podcasts. I am kind of a nerd so I also like reading, researching, and writing Op-Ed articles in my free time. Since I am so close to home, I am blessed with the ability to spend a lot of time with my family.
GS: What are your career goals after college?
OA: I am quite unsure. I have big aspirations to contribute to society in a way that enlightens the general population. I am simply going along for the ride and willing to accept any opportunities that will guide me towards accomplishing that. I have faith that I can accomplish that if I continue to work hard, follow my intuition, and take up opportunities that are outside of my comfort zone.
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?
OA: I have confidence in my speed and awareness on the ice. However, I know I can always improve those things! I am looking forward to getting more physical in the corners and working on moving the puck more quickly.
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?
OA: Playing D1 hockey for the U of M has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. Out of the offers I had in high school, the only D1 school I really wanted to attend was the U of M. This was a big reason I didn't play hockey right away after I graduated high school. When the opportunity to play for the Gophers was presented to me, it was a no brainer. I've heard great things about Coach Frost and loved playing for Jake and Natalie at Hamline, so I knew it'd be a great experience.
Quick Facts with Olivia Arkell!
Favorite pizza topping: Cheese. Lots of cheese.
Favorite season: Summer
Favorite hobby: Wake Surfing
Favorite animal: Monkeys
Describe yourself in one word: Ambitious
Hockey players should always _________: Never take the sport for granted.
Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant
Hidden talent: Graphic Design/ Writing
Name one food you refuse to eat: Tomatoes
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Dream job: Life Coach/ Motivational Speaker
Night person or morning person: Both!
Favorite workout: Running
Dream vacation: Hawaii
Favorite sport to watch other than hockey: Football
Gopher Sports: How did you first get into hockey?
Olivia Arkell: I used to figure skate and my best friend at the time could do the Waltz Jump and I couldn't. It ate me alive that I couldn't. That's when I knew I needed to be in a more competitive sport.
GS: What's your earliest hockey memory?
OA: I tried out for the Stillwater HS team in 8th grade purely for the experience. I was under the assumption I wouldn't make it so I never checked the roster. My sister tried out for the team too and she was sitting at the computer refreshing the roster results every minute. I was sitting in the kitchen when she came over to me and said, "Olivia you made it!" I remember feeling absolutely dumbfounded. Then, the excitement kicked in.
GS: When did you realize that playing Division I hockey was a possibility for you?
OA: When I was in 10th Grade I had my first D1 offer. However, a majority of my offers were out east and I wanted to stay close to home.
GS: How did you choose the University of Minnesota?
OA: Due to COVID-19, I had an extra year of eligibility. This May, I graduated from Hamline and I didn't want to go back there for grad school. I planned on getting a 'big girl job' until I found out that my coaches at Hamline, Jake [Bobrowski] and Natalie [Darwitz] moved over to the U of M. That is when I found out there was room for one additional defender on the Gophers. The rest is history and now I've been blessed with the opportunity to play for the University of Minnesota!
GS: What's your family like? How did they influence your playing career?
OA: My family members are my biggest supporters. I have a very large family on my dad's side and often 10+ family members would come to watch my games. Seeing a big group of my family at my games motivated me to play well for them. I knew how much they enjoyed watching me skate so I always wanted to give 110% when they attended due to everything they've done to support me throughout my hockey career.
GS: How would your family describe you?
OA: My family would probably describe me as ambitious.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
OA: I played lacrosse and soccer along with hockey. My 10th grade year I started focusing on playing hockey year round.
GS: How has Coach Darwitz and Coach Bobrowksi influenced your play?
OA: Natalie and Jake made me a better hockey player in the first three months of my collegiate career than my entire five years of high school hockey. They provided real expertise on the sport and pushed me harder than I've ever been pushed. Most importantly, they taught me mental toughness and how to play with confidence. It completely changed my game in a positive manner.
GS: What do you like to do in your free time outside of hockey and school?
OA: I really enjoy the outdoors so I like to get outside to hike, run, go for walks, or simply sit outside listening to podcasts. I am kind of a nerd so I also like reading, researching, and writing Op-Ed articles in my free time. Since I am so close to home, I am blessed with the ability to spend a lot of time with my family.
GS: What are your career goals after college?
OA: I am quite unsure. I have big aspirations to contribute to society in a way that enlightens the general population. I am simply going along for the ride and willing to accept any opportunities that will guide me towards accomplishing that. I have faith that I can accomplish that if I continue to work hard, follow my intuition, and take up opportunities that are outside of my comfort zone.
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?
OA: I have confidence in my speed and awareness on the ice. However, I know I can always improve those things! I am looking forward to getting more physical in the corners and working on moving the puck more quickly.
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?
OA: Playing D1 hockey for the U of M has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. Out of the offers I had in high school, the only D1 school I really wanted to attend was the U of M. This was a big reason I didn't play hockey right away after I graduated high school. When the opportunity to play for the Gophers was presented to me, it was a no brainer. I've heard great things about Coach Frost and loved playing for Jake and Natalie at Hamline, so I knew it'd be a great experience.
Quick Facts with Olivia Arkell!
Favorite pizza topping: Cheese. Lots of cheese.
Favorite season: Summer
Favorite hobby: Wake Surfing
Favorite animal: Monkeys
Describe yourself in one word: Ambitious
Hockey players should always _________: Never take the sport for granted.
Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant
Hidden talent: Graphic Design/ Writing
Name one food you refuse to eat: Tomatoes
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Dream job: Life Coach/ Motivational Speaker
Night person or morning person: Both!
Favorite workout: Running
Dream vacation: Hawaii
Favorite sport to watch other than hockey: Football
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