Natálie Mlýnková, who recently wrapped up her NCAA hockey career, joins Nicole Haase and Todd Milewski for an offseason edition of the PodKaz.
Mlýnková played four seasons at Vermont and one at Minnesota, finishing at the Frozen Four in Minneapolis in March. She looks back on moving to North America from Czechia at 16 to play hockey and how the women's game is evolving in her home country.
That was evident in April when Czechia set an attendance record in hosting the World Championship. Mlýnková talks about playing in that event.
The PodKaz is a production of USCHO.com. Have a question for us? Reach out to Nicole (@NicoleHaase) or Todd (@ToddMilewski) on social media or email todd.milewski@uscho.com.
Mlýnková played four seasons at Vermont and one at Minnesota, finishing at the Frozen Four in Minneapolis in March. She looks back on moving to North America from Czechia at 16 to play hockey and how the women's game is evolving in her home country.
That was evident in April when Czechia set an attendance record in hosting the World Championship. Mlýnková talks about playing in that event.
The PodKaz is a production of USCHO.com. Have a question for us? Reach out to Nicole (@NicoleHaase) or Todd (@ToddMilewski) on social media or email todd.milewski@uscho.com.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
U s c HO dot com.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Jo, Hi, and welcome to another off season edition of
the podcast. I'm top Maleski here when Nicole Hosey from
us e h O dot com. Uh, Nicole, you you
found a really good interview for us this time for
our off season interview series. Natalie Milnkkova from most recently
(00:28):
of Minnesota, where she played her bonus season four years
before that at Vermont where she was Hockey East Player
of the Year in her senior season, also of the
Czech national team. Uh, a veteran of the Czech national team.
Get this. This is gonna be a really great conversation
that people are going to hear in a couple of minutes.
But uh, what what about her her career? Uh stood
(00:54):
out to you to make you want to set up
this interview?
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Well, I knew that I wanted to talk to somebody
from team check ya after the World Women's most recent
Women's World Championships were just held there. We heard from
everybody what a wonderful situation it was, how responsive the
fans were, how great the tournament was, and so I
really wanted to hear from one of the players, and
specifically a player that had been there sort of prior
to things being like this. Natalie now has played in
(01:22):
six Senior World Championships. She shed debut with the senior
national team. I believe at like seventeen, she was playing
in U eighteens and the senior Worlds at the same time,
and so has really seen the transition for this senior
national team and has just she's done so much and
she's still just twenty three. She's about to declare for
(01:43):
the PBHL draft, and so I just really thought she
would be someone that could talk about sort of the
breath of both coming to North America as a European.
She came over at sixteen to sort of get comfortable
and learn the language to go through the process. She
and so many of her team have come to North
America to develop and that has played a huge role
(02:04):
in their own federation and their teams involvement and development.
And so yeah, she's just she's got an amazing career
and as you guys will we'll hear in the interview,
just has someone knowledge to share on what it means
to grow as a person as a hockey player that
just has a spectacular attitude and yeah, so I just
(02:28):
I'm really excited. This is exactly what I hoped we
would get when I asked to talk to her, and
so she really delivered. And I think people really will
really enjoy hearing about sort of how things have improved.
I just thought it was really interesting that she, you know,
when she talked about things, she talks about things that
were how they were when she was younger and how
they are now. And it's not begrudging. She's happy to
see the things that have improved and and hope that
(02:51):
that continues to improve for players in the future. So
I just think it's a really good insight into a
team that in a federation and a program that have
really evolved and grown over the past few years. And
I feel like, and you kind of asked this, but
a little bit of a blueprint for what country other
countries can be doing to show, you know, like that
(03:12):
the gap has really closed. The year these are this
is a team that can beat US and Canada. The
U eighteen girls to beat Canada in the semi finals
of the twenty twenty four Women's World Championships is always
in early December, so or early January, So I have
to make sure I get the right year and so yeah,
that that gap has super closed and I think at
any point this team can beat you know, sort of
(03:32):
the North American powerhouses. So let's see, let's see this
kind of growth from other other countries. And Natalie kind
of talks about, you know, where they went, where they're going,
and where they hope is the next step.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Yeah, so much good stuff in this conversation. We hope
you enjoy it. It's our second of a few conversations
will be having this off season with people around women's hockey,
many different really, We're hoping for a lot of different
perspectives and we have a great one here today in
Natalie Linkova from Chechia, Minnesota, Vermont, et cetera. We hope
(04:11):
you enjoy it. Take a listen.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Natlie, thank you so much for being with us today.
We just wanted to take this time since it's the
off season for I have a little bit deeper conversation.
So maybe let's start with the most recent stuff. Can
you tell us from your perspective, We heard from everybody
who was there how amazing having worlds in Chechia was.
Maybe just first, can you just tell us sort of
your lasting impressions of what that tournament was.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Like, yeah, well, first of all, thanks for having me.
Happy to be here. I mean, yeah, the you know,
having divorce in front of home crowd, in front of
families and friends, and it was unbelievable. Really, we didn't
really know what to expect coming into the tournament, but
(04:55):
we were super excited. I think we're more excited than
nervous at the end of the day, and that's obviously
a good thing. And I mean really the goal was
just to just to show like the women's hockey on
our side and in our country and get you know
a little bit more familiar with that. And I think
it was great. The defence bent a reel and the
(05:19):
whole tournament, the organization, so many people stepped up for us,
and yeah, it was amazing.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Back here in the US, we saw the visuals, the crowds,
and it can kind of get a sense of the noise,
but I wonder if you can maybe describe those a
little bit more for us, just what it was like
seeing full houses, big crowds, and then hearing the noise
that they make while the games going on. How did
you have a chance to just kind of appreciate that
(05:47):
a little bit.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Yeah, absolutely, I mean, I think our country is kind
of known for that. So we were just wondering how
it was going to look like, you know, for women's hockey,
kind of first time in, you know, on the big stage,
and and how the fans were gonna take in. And again,
they were amazing.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
It was so loud in there. They were, you know,
cheering all the way. They were just crazy.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
Uh yeah, I mean we couldn't uh, we couldn't hear
each other on the bench, that's how loud it was.
You know, sitting next to someone you just couldn't hear
what they were saying. So from that standpoint, it was loud.
It was loud, and you know, too bad we we
didn't get to win a medal because I think that
that hole ring would go down, honestly.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
But yeah, I mean, just just for the perspective. One
little moment when we playing when we were playing.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
Against USA, I was lined up against Tessa Jena Kid,
I know, and uh, and she was like, the fans
are crazy, and I was telling her that's what we
do here, this is our normal, this is the standard
that we have. And you know, they showed up. They
were amazing, Uh, every game all game long. And no
(07:01):
matter what the score was. And I think the the
other teams, the other country is very feeling that too.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
You say, you know that that that's what you all do,
is checks, But I mean when you joined the program
right as e eighteen, like in your in your sort
of short but long career with with the check national
team that you eight teed in the senior national team,
like the growth of what you guys have been able
to do, Like if we'd have said to you five
years ago that you guys were going to get the
host and that you would sell out and set a
(07:28):
new record and all those things, like, do you think
that you would have believed it?
Speaker 1 (07:33):
I don't think so.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
I honestly don't think we would have believed it even
before we actually qualified for the Olympics. I think that's
where the biggest turnaround came around. And I think the
timing was right, honestly. I think it wasn't you know,
soon enough, it wasn't late. It was right, perfect timing
to the point that we were able.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
To handle the pressure better.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
I don't think, you know, a few years ago we
probably wouldn't handle it us as good as we did,
and didn't really know how you know, how to kind
of kry ourselves with that. It can you know, be
very under pressure for sure, And I think just just
the timing of it was perfect.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Honestly, I guess who do you who should get credit
for that? Who's who's responsible for those kind of advances
in the women's game in check you.
Speaker 4 (08:23):
Yeah, it's you know, it's a tough goal. I think
there's more people behind it. You can just you can
just pin point one. But I think just as a team,
it definitely started with us, you know, having the qualifications
at home and then making it to the Olympics.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
That was the biggest, the biggest movement forward.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
And then so with that being said, I think to
much but's in our old head coach kind of give
us a little bit of identity, I would like to say,
and like kind of you know, we were able to
find ourselves and see like what type of team we are? Uh,
And then when Carla mcclough took over, just finding the
missing pieces and you know, getting those those bronze mellals there,
(09:06):
and yeah, I mean it was just kind of stight
clicking and you know, getting the right stuff, getting the
right people around us, and you know, getting the right
girls for it and and things like that, and then, yeah,
I mean it's been it's been. Definitely more people are
Our head coach has definitely done a great job, including
(09:27):
our coaching staff in general. Uh, there's been big movements
on the national team for us, and I think we
can all feel it, and it's just exciting. Honestly, we
are you know, they look at us differently and we've
taken they look at us more as professional players, and
you know, and that just helps you move forward. They
(09:49):
give you more confidence and and you know, you know
you're good taking care of They take really well, really
good care of us. And yeah, there is definitely more people. Uh,
definitely have to give credit to our GM.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
There's a.
Speaker 4 (10:07):
She put you know, she was a big part of
this World championship putting it together, and I know they
spent so much time on it, and yeah, I mean
it was incredible. They really treated us like they did
the men you know last year for their World Championship
in our country, and they wanted to set the standard
exactly where they left it off for them, and I think,
(10:28):
I honestly think they did amazing. I don't think any
of us expected this.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
Do you feel like it set the tone like moving
forward as well. Like I think about when the U
eight teams upset Canada to two tournaments ago and that
game wasn't televised back home, you know, things like that.
Do you feel like things like the tournament this year
and what you all have been able to do like
help set that standward for going forward and will continue
to see sort of more improvement and changes.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
Yeah, absolutely, I think not not only you know kind
of showing showing very right now and changing a little
bit of the of the picture that that check fans
or check people, check community things of women's hockey. Uh,
just kind of changing that. That's like number one, and
obviously like more of it is always for the future.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
And you see the U eighteens and you know the
older us, the older us when when we were kind
of going through that through that stage, it wasn't always
you know roses and and we didn't always get the
same stuff that that they do now. And you know,
for us it's we are you know, we are just
happy and grateful that they get to have that because
(11:37):
we we went through the rough time. And obviously for
you know, the future girls like we want them to
have better environment and better conditions, and yeah, I think
it's showing. I mean, obviously they did. They did really well.
They've been doing really well lately. And uh, you know,
I think I think our country always had that.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
We just needed to put the right pieces together.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
And I'm just glad that it's moving in the direction
for both the senior team, the U eighteens, even the
youngest ones. So yeah, I just gotta keep going, right.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
I had two questions for you about Karl McLeod, one
being house or check coming, and two being what does
it mean to have someone who is you know, she
took over the head coach position while she was still
I believe a U sports head coach, became a p
w h L head coach and still stayed on as
(12:30):
the check ya head coach. To have her continue in
that commitment, what does that meant for for for you guys?
Speaker 4 (12:37):
Yeah, well, first of all, her check is horrible. It's
getting it's getting better every tournament. But but I can't really.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
Hold that over her.
Speaker 4 (12:47):
I mean, you know, our language is hard, and sometimes
when she's up to it, she's up to learn, like
one board here and there probably keeps forgetting it too
to be honest, but uh, you know that, but that's
not the point anyway.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
And you know, we are just grateful to have her.
Speaker 4 (13:03):
I mean, you know, I think it was the right fit,
just coming as someone who had this like very similar
experience as a player now being a coach, and you know,
she kind of talked about our checkwomen's hockey is exactly
where you know, the Canadian one was twenty years ago,
and it's a it's an interesting perspective to look at.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
And you know, she she went through it, so she's
probably right.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
We don't know how it was there and and but
obviously there were some movements and they had to get
where they are now. And the fact that you know
she was willing to come over and do that help
our country, help our team to do the same and
get close there, I think, you know, it's it's great.
I mean, she is a great audition. You know, our
(13:48):
national team was kind of lacking confidence a lot, maybe
because of the history, who knows, but she's definitely giving
us confidence. And you know, it's fun to play for her.
She's funny, she knows what to say when when the
right time is to be serious, and.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
You know, I think I think we all.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
Are on the board and and I'm going to apply
for her, And yeah, definitely amazing to have her. And
and the fact that she's a female too, like some
some players might look at it a bit differently than others,
but you know, that definitely helps and and just kind
of helps with the whole picture of us, you know,
showing the future in our country and that you know,
(14:30):
female head coaches.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
Okay too, we are a little bit behind all that stuff.
Speaker 4 (14:34):
And yeah, I mean, I mean it's kind of it's
kind of great picture overall.
Speaker 3 (14:41):
She's such a good motivator, Like when I've spoken to her,
like after at World Championships, after games, like even if
he's lost, she would be so positive about all the things,
like the way she makes she would make me like
want to run through a while. I imagine that, like
in the locker room having that. And then I wanted
to ask sort of about the because she has talked
about that she brings the North American style like Tushan
(15:02):
and some of your other coaches and the mixture of
that and how well that seems to work for you all,
and and sort of that not everybody has the U
eighteen coach coaching with the senior national team, so the
way and obviously Douchean being able to be in Chechia
while she is maybe not there in the languages and
all of that. It's a pretty unique setup. So both
sort of the tactics of the North American versus CHECKI
(15:25):
or European style, but also the sort of like holistic
coaching setup that you all have. How has that helped
you all become successful and be the team that you
are right now?
Speaker 4 (15:35):
Yeah, I think that that's a little bit of the
you know, when I was talking about the missing pieces
that she brought in, that's definitely one of them. And
just not be afraid to play against those guys. And
it probably is a bit easier since you know, most
of us have ded experience already. But you know, just
keep growing our game, keep getting on them, keep chasing them.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
Really, that's all it's about. And I think the gap
is closing.
Speaker 4 (15:59):
And yeah, I mean the missing pieces, you know, just
just kind of you know, get under their skin a
little bit.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
That's basically the biggest thing.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
Just you know, you can respect them, of course, but
like once you get on the ice, the respect has
to go a little bit aside and you're playing for
your team, and it doesn't matter if they are your
teammates are not outside and you're playing for your country.
You're just getting after it. And I do have to
say it's been very fun to see some of the
best players in the world getting frustrated just because they're
(16:31):
playing some you know, small country like Checky I is
and yeah, it's awesome. We are having fun out there
when it happens. Yeah, I mean, we are getting closer
and they know it too, and that's that's the best
part about it. Just you know, talking to them after game,
they're like, yeah, it's getting harder and harder to to
play against you guys. They basically don't even want to
(16:53):
play us anymore. And sometimes you know, the the score
sheet is not is not showing the full story, I
don't think. But but the gap is absolutely closing. And
as it is on the senior level, it's on the
U eighteen level two. Uh, we've seen it and it
you know, just wait, just Wade, it's gonna happen.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
I want to get back to your international career in
a in a minute, but I wonder if you can
take us through how how you came to be playing
in US college hockey because it's you know, a lot
of us are understanding that the game is growing to
be a worldwide game. The US college game is becoming
(17:35):
more worldwide. What's your background and how did it develop
for you.
Speaker 4 (17:42):
Yeah, so, obviously, growing up, as you know, young female
playing hockey wasn't you know, super popular by any means.
But I was fortunate enough to have you know, older
players that already kind of you know, either when or
by going through the process, and it just seemed like
the best thing to do, honestly, just you know, combine
(18:03):
as you know, studying with hockey at the same time
plus Division one moment hockey, you know that in my opinion,
top level from you know what seventeen to twenty four
years old, and yeah, so just just kind of had
that goal as I got to know, you know, the
older players and seeing their girl and just wanting to
(18:26):
go through that and have that experience to be a
student athlete because it just you know, it sets you
up for life, honestly, and it doesn't matter if you
play hockey after or not. But just combining the you know,
getting your diploma and getting your degree and then you know,
playing hockey at the biggest level and kind of get
(18:47):
the feel of how it is like to be a
professional athlete. Yeah, they just you know, kind of got
me there. I mean, you know, just when I was younger,
I always wanted to do that. I ended up leaving
for high school hockey, basically moving to Canada without school though.
(19:07):
I just moved to a junior women's hockey team. It's
called HDI Hockey Training Institute. We had lots of international
players there that helped me with my English. Honestly, I
didn't speak English at all. I moved when I was sixteen,
and you know just kind of you know, gotta be
created from there and then and then picked a school.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
And then you know, ended up at Vermont And at
the time of my life.
Speaker 3 (19:32):
When you were talking about sort of the various people
that have your credit for where you all are, like
you all as the players to have had done a
credit because so many of you came over to the
US or to North America to train and really you know,
sort of push your own development, like it's been so
important to the growth of check you women's hockey. I think,
you know, kind of starting with like Dolina Mills and
(19:54):
on from there that so many of you sort of
personally took it out on yourself to make sure that
you were getting the and training that you needed. Can
you maybe just talk a little bit. I mean it's
difficult because so much good is happening, but also like it,
there's something we said about how sixteen year old shouldn't
have to make the decision to like move across the
world to be able to further their game. So it's
(20:15):
been an interesting balance for you all and moving the
needle to get to where you are.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
Yeah, I mean it's true.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
You know you look at our you know, national team
roster and even the bigger you know, the bigger roster
just kind of all around who is who has been
through national team and you know, ninety nine point nine
percent players just all played internationally. And yeah, I mean
it's tough because the environment for you know, women's hockey
in check is not it's not there yet, and you know,
(20:46):
we are just a little bit behind. As I talked
about the other stuff, it's it's the same with this,
and you know other countries are getting ahead of us
with that. But I also think that's where in a
way it comes our you know, unique way as you
can kind of mentioned because you know, we don't get
to see each other often, we don't get to play
with each other often, but when we do, uh yeah,
(21:06):
those girls together, it's it's fun and you know we
have this specific humor and yeah, it's it's just different.
But yeah, it's you know, from when I went to
college even until now, like it's improving, it's growing, and
even now like so many you know, women's girls camps
(21:26):
during summers and kind of more help to get invited,
you know, and be able to join some you know
tournaments and camps where you know, the Division one coaches,
Division three coaches come to watch and recruit and that
that stuff is definitely growing. Uh, there wasn't many opportunities
for us before, so we had to move in order
(21:48):
to be seen.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
No one was really looking at Europe. Uh you know,
it just it just wasn't a thing.
Speaker 4 (21:54):
Uh So unless you do, you know, unless you made
it to the UA Team World Championships, no no was
really looking at you. And even if the World Championship
was somewhere in Europe or Asia and no one, no,
there was no chance for anyone to see you. So
we definitely had to move. But now it's changing. The
coaches are looking at you know, at the international players,
(22:16):
and it's also easier you can just you know, turn
on live stream from anywhere nowadays. It wasn't a thing.
Even when I was going to college, it still wasn't
a thing. So, you know, just just having you know,
the availability of watching the girls now, plus you know,
for them being able to play a junior hockey or
(22:38):
pro hockey in Sweden, Switzerland before they go to college,
that wasn't you know, necessary necessary an option for us either.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
So yeah, there's definitely you.
Speaker 4 (22:50):
Know, more option as as the game is growing and
just the whole woman's keyboard is developing.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
I wonder what it advice you'd give someone who was
like you at sixteen years old in check ya looking
to you know, having a goal and trying to find
the way to get there. With the experience that you
now have of having gone to Canada, having gone to Vermont,
getting the bonus here at Minnesota, all of these things
(23:21):
that have happened. I guess what stands out to you
is in as a you know, something that could motivate
someone that was in your position.
Speaker 4 (23:31):
Yeah, I think you know, it's a it's an interesting question.
Interesting topic for sure, because everyone is a bit different.
But what I would say would be, you know, if
that's what you really want, like go and try it.
You know, like what you have nothing to lose at
the end of the day. You might just like gain
experience from it. And it can be scary, especially like you know,
(23:55):
moving across the board, maybe not speaking English, you know,
you know, still being kid really, but it's something that
you know, I I think that was like the best
decision I could have ever made, honestly, Ah, it just
it just helped me in so many ways. You get
to know people from all over the board. Of course,
it's harder because you have to, you know, move away
(24:17):
from home, maybe don't get to see your family parents
as much. But you know something I was told when
I was sixteen, it is like you can always come home.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
You know where your home is.
Speaker 4 (24:28):
You know you're not gonna like it, You're you know,
you're not gonna be able to to get through it.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Maybe it's not for you. You can always come home.
Speaker 4 (24:35):
No one said you cannot, and you know, so why not,
like why not try it? Why not see like why
it can take you just fulfill the potential if you're
doing it on a serious level. Just go and be
serious about it, really, and you know your family is there.
They might be further away, but nowadays you have FaceTime,
(24:56):
You have all of those things, and.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
You know you are still gonna see them.
Speaker 4 (25:01):
It's not like you're not and you're always come home
and you can always come home even if you didn't
like it or you know, it got to have I
don't know. I just think it helps overall, if like
growing as a person as a player, and yeah, I
think if you got a chance, you got to take it.
Speaker 3 (25:22):
What was what sort of your lasting impression or like
your memories of Vermont and just what you learned there
and you had a pretty international team, And then if
you could tell us a little bit about like why
you chose Minnesota and what, like what this last year
has been like, maybe how it was different, and just
sort of digging a little on the details of your
college career.
Speaker 4 (25:43):
Yeah, I mean I was fortunate enough to be able
to go visit Vermont before I commit in and I
fell in love with that place. Honestly, it's beautiful out there.
All the people, you know, it just they had the
heart in the right place and it just felt like
the best fit for me, so I decided to go
and and honestly, I grew as a person. I grew
(26:05):
a lot there as a player too, but more incredibly
as a person because you know, I went to college
and it was a little bit harder because it was
COVID year for me. So I hit the school right
when it was COVID, which, on the other hand, I'm
actually glad I did because we got to spend five
six hours a day on the ice just having fun.
(26:26):
You know, everything was shut down. We couldn't even go
to school. You know, we were just living life. Honestly,
It's like we couldn't play games, but you know, we
made fun of what we had there. And yeah, I mean,
you know, when I was going to college, I not
that I didn't care about school, but I didn't have
to be straight a student by any means.
Speaker 1 (26:48):
I was just okay with BC's, you know, just.
Speaker 4 (26:51):
As long as I wasn't failing and I was passing by,
that was totally fine with me. I didn't really understand that,
you know, you kind of want to be I want
to be the best, you know, have a's in every
class and and have GPA and all that stuff and.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
Yeah, that was me.
Speaker 4 (27:08):
And honestly, by end of sophomore year, I started taking
school very seriously and just uh started to understand that,
you know, it is okay to have B and C,
but why not try to get an A if you
if you can. So I changed kind of my perspective
on that. I was like the biggest you know, movement
as a kid that that happened in me. And I
(27:30):
just kept getting better every single day, just doing skills
and and you know, just working hard, doing extra stuff
and having fun with the girls at the same time
and having some you know, all the players to look
up to, and having some great mentors out there. They
just they just helped me to grow into who I am.
And you know, I I had a blast. I had great,
(27:55):
great four years there, and I'm grateful for my time there.
I believe everyone is always going to be my second home.
And I love the people. The people make the place
and the people dire very amazing.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
And then when you had the opportunity for the fifth year,
were you did you always think you were going to
maybe look somewhere else or sort of how did that
process go and what made you land in Minnesota?
Speaker 1 (28:18):
Yeah, good question. I wasn't always thinking about it.
Speaker 4 (28:21):
I was just kind of going year by year, and
then you know, by my senior year, I kind of
I kind of felt like I needed a little change,
just to try to develop a little bit differently, and
you know, started the recruiting process once again, and and
Minnesota felt right the place for me, you know, a
fifty year, one more year bonus year. Wanted to play
(28:43):
and you know, try different league, different school, going from
smaller school to bigger school, you know, bigger hockey program
and bigger history and and all that. So just just
trying something new, really and getting challenged in a different
wace once again. And yeah, just kind of going through that,
(29:03):
getting my master's degree and you know, just just trying
to get the most out of it. And yeah, it
flew by, for sure, not only this year but the
whole colleage career. But at the same time, I think
I'm ready for the next step. And you know, I'm
more than done with school, I can tell you.
Speaker 2 (29:25):
So, yeah, you mentioned next steps, and there's so much
exciting happening in the next really next year, but coming
up in the next few months really of p w
h L draft, the p w h L expansion, you know,
and then we get into an Olympic season. How do
(29:46):
you how do you look forward to all of that
knowing that there's so much that's out there for you
and I imagine that's got to be exciting to look
forward to the next season.
Speaker 1 (29:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (29:56):
Absolutely, I mean not only just for me, right but
for all the girls. Just just having another step forward
to kind of be motivated to get to and and
and play in a league like that. It's you know,
it's unreal. It's definitely exciting. There's so many unknowns right now.
I don't know what's going to happen, but you know
(30:17):
that just the way how life is right now. But
definitely even having the experience to to go or be
able to go to the draft and possibly get drafted
and possibly play there. I don't want to get too
ahead of myself, but but you know, it's exciting just
the fact that you know there is the opportunity for
the girls now too, and you know, just just say
(30:39):
like be able to get drafted or you know for
some people that got drafted just yeah I got drafted.
Speaker 1 (30:44):
Like it's just.
Speaker 4 (30:45):
That itself is you know, uh, something that obviously we
wish we could have dreamed of before and now it's
finally here and I'm one of the lucky ones. I'm
hitting the right time in this and you know, yeah,
I mean, we'll see what happens. Hopefully it ends up
it ends up going well. But as you said, the
(31:08):
picture is bigger and definitely exciting summer coming up, and
we'll just see what happens.
Speaker 1 (31:14):
We'll go from there.
Speaker 3 (31:17):
In terms of that Olympic picture, I mean, I remember
talking to too many of you all. Qualifying was just
such a huge step for you you all, and finishing
seventh obviously you wanted to do better than that. So
now sort of with all of the momentum, you have,
all of the talent that you have, what sort of
are the conversations and and how are you feeling heading
(31:37):
you know that you were what we eight months or
whatever away from from talking about another Olympic Games.
Speaker 4 (31:43):
Yeah, I think the in general the first Olympic cycle,
you know, we we were just so new to that,
you know, we've never been there before. So I think
that was like a lot of emotion. We didn't necessarily
Nohan to handle it. And at the same time, I
believe that you know, things happen the way they are
supposed to, and uh, you know, I think this year
(32:05):
we are going to go into it way more experience
from from all the international players, including the first Olympic Games,
and just very excited for it, honestly.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
And it's going to be in Europe. It's going to
be in Italy.
Speaker 4 (32:18):
Uh you know, possible for families, friends to come over
if they want to, and and just just having it
kind of here in Europe is also a big thing.
And I mean it's it's been something that we've been
talking about for a few years now and and that's
the that's the big goal there. And uh yeah, definitely
(32:40):
wanna want to finish very higher than the last Olympics.
But again, I think that experience, you know, it's going
to show, it's.
Speaker 1 (32:48):
Going to show next year.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
Last question for me before I turn back over to
Nicole to wrap up, but I wonder what you're expecting
this next season to look like in terms of how
you how you prepare for all of that, and knowing
that you know you you'll you'll have a pro team,
you'll be on you know, everything goes well and and
you'll but you'll also have some some windows where you
(33:10):
have to be preparing for international play and and and
having those kind of mesh with each other and then
kind of going back and forth in February and then
in April and then it really just kind of whirlwind
of a season. How how do you prepare for that mentally?
I guess, and and and how do you guys as
(33:32):
a team? You know, do you know when you're going
to be doing all of that yet?
Speaker 1 (33:37):
Yeah? No, no idea.
Speaker 4 (33:38):
I mean, uh, you know, it's it's pretty close, it's
coming up, but it's still a bit far away. There's
so many things that are going to happen for myself
before that, and so I'm trying to just just wait
and see what happens with that and handle that, and uh,
then it will kind of move forward. But I honestly
think that, you know it, It's weird to say, but
(34:01):
I think in this way it might somewhat be easier
for me this year, just because the first the first
time I was in I was a student. I was
in school and I missed, you know, in two months
of school and and that, you know, that's that's something
so just kind of being able to, you know, just
play hockey, Uh, not not have to necessary worry about
(34:22):
other personal stuff, you know, other responsibilities and being able
to just focus on that. It's gonna be tougher with
with traveling, but you know, I think we can all
handle it. We haven't really we haven't really regrouped with
the national team even from boards yet, so I'm sure
(34:43):
that's all coming up during summer and and just kind
of you know, turning the page and preparing for next
season at the same time, just kind of seeing where
where it takes me and kind of go from there.
But yeah, I think I think no matter what we are,
we are just excited for the opportunity and just got
(35:04):
to see where it takes us. There's just so many
unknowns at the moment.
Speaker 3 (35:09):
I have two questions to wrap up. The first, I
would wanted to ask if you have had as you said,
you came to North America at sixteen year you are
only twenty three. With all of the things that we've
talked about, like you are still still relatively pretty young.
Have you had a chance at any point to sort
of maybe since world just take that step back and
really think about like you're on the verge of getting
to go to the draft for professional hockey league that
(35:31):
like none of us could have imagined a few years ago.
Like to think about where you were when you first
came to North America and where you're sitting right now,
both for your country, for yourself professionally, all the things
that have changed. Have you Do you get a chance
to really think on that and let it sink in
or are you just sort of there's so much happening
that that at some point maybe that'll sink in.
Speaker 4 (35:53):
I think I haven't sinked in just yeah, just because
I'm still finishing up school. I still have some stuff
to do, but but I'm almost done. But at the
same time, I believe that once I leave that's where
it started, you know, going to start hitting. It doesn't
necessarily feel like it's over just yet from that standpoint,
because again I'm still a students to take.
Speaker 1 (36:14):
But but.
Speaker 4 (36:18):
You know, just just kind of just even the mindset
just coming to a fifty year just taking it as
you know, being able to develop more for for the
professional life afterwards, and no matter if it's you know,
in U s Or Sweden or whatever, it is, just
kind of being able to play professional hockey after this.
(36:39):
I definitely, you know, definitely took this year as as
you know, trying to develop more and taking more professionally
at this point already just to kind of, you know,
take the bonus here basically and take the most out
of it. And and so from that standpoint, and obviously
like was in the bag of my had, but I
(37:00):
was kind of going, you know, day to day, I'm
still going day to day, and yeah, I think it's
gonna had, you know, once I leave this place.
Speaker 3 (37:11):
And then I wanted to ask during you actually said
it earlier here, but during Worlds you talked about like,
you know, the gap is closing, we are like I
really believe in us, And you said the same thing
in Duluth when with Minnesota, when with the Wisconsin loss,
just a very similar like full belief that like my
team can do this, this program can do this. And
I just wanted to ask sort of about that bit
(37:32):
of your personality, that sort of conviction that that your
team is going to be able to keep making those changes,
that Chuckie will be able to keep doing that that
it just was there was so much passion in what
you were saying that like I want people to to
know that bit about you, about like what about you
that makes you so so confident and so passionate about
like sort of supporting what's happening and knowing that your
(37:53):
teams can keep going.
Speaker 1 (37:56):
I mean, that's a great question. I don't know. I wasn't.
Speaker 4 (37:59):
I wasn't always like this, that's for sure. I wasn't
always confident. I was more just having fun. I didn't
look at it as you know, people told that I
was like so confident on the eyes, and I was
just like, I'm just having fun, Like I don't. I
probably didn't even know what that meant. And as I'm
you know, getting a little bit more experience, getting a
(38:20):
little bit older, just understanding how important it is to
believe in yourself and and I think there it's not
even about if I believe, but more so the questions
like why not, like why not, like go out there,
have fun and you know, give it your best and
see what happens. So it just kind of like, you know,
right now we are chasing, but I believe that, you know,
(38:40):
sooner rather than later we can play an even game,
and just like why not, Like you know, most of us,
like with the check girls, most of us play against
those girls, you know, every week, and that's the reality.
Speaker 1 (38:53):
So why not it's just doing it in a different color.
Speaker 4 (38:55):
Of jersey and you're doing it in front of your
home crowd or you know, maybe at a and a
pretty much bigger turn on man. But like, at the
same time, that's just kind of how I see it,
you know, like why why not try, you know, reach
the full potential and kind of be the best at
you know, what you do, if you love it, and
if that's what you want to do, I think it
would just be a waste if you if you didn't.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
Give it you at all.
Speaker 4 (39:17):
And so yeah, I think to me, it's not it's
not necessary about that. It's more like, you know, why
not try it if you have the opportunity, especially.
Speaker 2 (39:28):
This has been great, Natalie, Thanks so much for doing
this and and best of luck with everything that's coming
in your career.
Speaker 1 (39:34):
Thank you so much. Thank you for having me too.
U s c HO dot com.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Jo, Hi, and welcome to another off season edition of
the podcast. I'm top Maleski here when Nicole Hosey from
us e h O dot com. Uh, Nicole, you you
found a really good interview for us this time for
our off season interview series. Natalie Milnkkova from most recently
(00:28):
of Minnesota, where she played her bonus season four years
before that at Vermont where she was Hockey East Player
of the Year in her senior season, also of the
Czech national team. Uh, a veteran of the Czech national team.
Get this. This is gonna be a really great conversation
that people are going to hear in a couple of minutes.
But uh, what what about her her career? Uh stood
(00:54):
out to you to make you want to set up
this interview?
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Well, I knew that I wanted to talk to somebody
from team check ya after the World Women's most recent
Women's World Championships were just held there. We heard from
everybody what a wonderful situation it was, how responsive the
fans were, how great the tournament was, and so I
really wanted to hear from one of the players, and
specifically a player that had been there sort of prior
to things being like this. Natalie now has played in
(01:22):
six Senior World Championships. She shed debut with the senior
national team. I believe at like seventeen, she was playing
in U eighteens and the senior Worlds at the same time,
and so has really seen the transition for this senior
national team and has just she's done so much and
she's still just twenty three. She's about to declare for
(01:43):
the PBHL draft, and so I just really thought she
would be someone that could talk about sort of the
breath of both coming to North America as a European.
She came over at sixteen to sort of get comfortable
and learn the language to go through the process. She
and so many of her team have come to North
America to develop and that has played a huge role
(02:04):
in their own federation and their teams involvement and development.
And so yeah, she's just she's got an amazing career
and as you guys will we'll hear in the interview,
just has someone knowledge to share on what it means
to grow as a person as a hockey player that
just has a spectacular attitude and yeah, so I just
(02:28):
I'm really excited. This is exactly what I hoped we
would get when I asked to talk to her, and
so she really delivered. And I think people really will
really enjoy hearing about sort of how things have improved.
I just thought it was really interesting that she, you know,
when she talked about things, she talks about things that
were how they were when she was younger and how
they are now. And it's not begrudging. She's happy to
see the things that have improved and and hope that
(02:51):
that continues to improve for players in the future. So
I just think it's a really good insight into a
team that in a federation and a program that have
really evolved and grown over the past few years. And
I feel like, and you kind of asked this, but
a little bit of a blueprint for what country other
countries can be doing to show, you know, like that
(03:12):
the gap has really closed. The year these are this
is a team that can beat US and Canada. The
U eighteen girls to beat Canada in the semi finals
of the twenty twenty four Women's World Championships is always
in early December, so or early January, So I have
to make sure I get the right year and so yeah,
that that gap has super closed and I think at
any point this team can beat you know, sort of
(03:32):
the North American powerhouses. So let's see, let's see this
kind of growth from other other countries. And Natalie kind
of talks about, you know, where they went, where they're going,
and where they hope is the next step.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Yeah, so much good stuff in this conversation. We hope
you enjoy it. It's our second of a few conversations
will be having this off season with people around women's hockey,
many different really, We're hoping for a lot of different
perspectives and we have a great one here today in
Natalie Linkova from Chechia, Minnesota, Vermont, et cetera. We hope
(04:11):
you enjoy it. Take a listen.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Natlie, thank you so much for being with us today.
We just wanted to take this time since it's the
off season for I have a little bit deeper conversation.
So maybe let's start with the most recent stuff. Can
you tell us from your perspective, We heard from everybody
who was there how amazing having worlds in Chechia was.
Maybe just first, can you just tell us sort of
your lasting impressions of what that tournament was.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Like, yeah, well, first of all, thanks for having me.
Happy to be here. I mean, yeah, the you know,
having divorce in front of home crowd, in front of
families and friends, and it was unbelievable. Really, we didn't
really know what to expect coming into the tournament, but
(04:55):
we were super excited. I think we're more excited than
nervous at the end of the day, and that's obviously
a good thing. And I mean really the goal was
just to just to show like the women's hockey on
our side and in our country and get you know
a little bit more familiar with that. And I think
it was great. The defence bent a reel and the
(05:19):
whole tournament, the organization, so many people stepped up for us,
and yeah, it was amazing.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Back here in the US, we saw the visuals, the crowds,
and it can kind of get a sense of the noise,
but I wonder if you can maybe describe those a
little bit more for us, just what it was like
seeing full houses, big crowds, and then hearing the noise
that they make while the games going on. How did
you have a chance to just kind of appreciate that
(05:47):
a little bit.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Yeah, absolutely, I mean, I think our country is kind
of known for that. So we were just wondering how
it was going to look like, you know, for women's hockey,
kind of first time in, you know, on the big stage,
and and how the fans were gonna take in. And again,
they were amazing.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
It was so loud in there. They were, you know,
cheering all the way. They were just crazy.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
Uh yeah, I mean we couldn't uh, we couldn't hear
each other on the bench, that's how loud it was.
You know, sitting next to someone you just couldn't hear
what they were saying. So from that standpoint, it was loud.
It was loud, and you know, too bad we we
didn't get to win a medal because I think that
that hole ring would go down, honestly.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
But yeah, I mean, just just for the perspective. One
little moment when we playing when we were playing.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
Against USA, I was lined up against Tessa Jena Kid,
I know, and uh, and she was like, the fans
are crazy, and I was telling her that's what we
do here, this is our normal, this is the standard
that we have. And you know, they showed up. They
were amazing, Uh, every game all game long. And no
(07:01):
matter what the score was. And I think the the
other teams, the other country is very feeling that too.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
You say, you know that that that's what you all do,
is checks, But I mean when you joined the program
right as e eighteen, like in your in your sort
of short but long career with with the check national
team that you eight teed in the senior national team,
like the growth of what you guys have been able
to do, Like if we'd have said to you five
years ago that you guys were going to get the
host and that you would sell out and set a
(07:28):
new record and all those things, like, do you think
that you would have believed it?
Speaker 1 (07:33):
I don't think so.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
I honestly don't think we would have believed it even
before we actually qualified for the Olympics. I think that's
where the biggest turnaround came around. And I think the
timing was right, honestly. I think it wasn't you know,
soon enough, it wasn't late. It was right, perfect timing
to the point that we were able.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
To handle the pressure better.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
I don't think, you know, a few years ago we
probably wouldn't handle it us as good as we did,
and didn't really know how you know, how to kind
of kry ourselves with that. It can you know, be
very under pressure for sure, And I think just just
the timing of it was perfect.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Honestly, I guess who do you who should get credit
for that? Who's who's responsible for those kind of advances
in the women's game in check you.
Speaker 4 (08:23):
Yeah, it's you know, it's a tough goal. I think
there's more people behind it. You can just you can
just pin point one. But I think just as a team,
it definitely started with us, you know, having the qualifications
at home and then making it to the Olympics.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
That was the biggest, the biggest movement forward.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
And then so with that being said, I think to
much but's in our old head coach kind of give
us a little bit of identity, I would like to say,
and like kind of you know, we were able to
find ourselves and see like what type of team we are? Uh,
And then when Carla mcclough took over, just finding the
missing pieces and you know, getting those those bronze mellals there,
(09:06):
and yeah, I mean it was just kind of stight
clicking and you know, getting the right stuff, getting the
right people around us, and you know, getting the right
girls for it and and things like that, and then, yeah,
I mean it's been it's been. Definitely more people are
Our head coach has definitely done a great job, including
(09:27):
our coaching staff in general. Uh, there's been big movements
on the national team for us, and I think we
can all feel it, and it's just exciting. Honestly, we
are you know, they look at us differently and we've
taken they look at us more as professional players, and
you know, and that just helps you move forward. They
(09:49):
give you more confidence and and you know, you know
you're good taking care of They take really well, really
good care of us. And yeah, there is definitely more people. Uh,
definitely have to give credit to our GM.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
There's a.
Speaker 4 (10:07):
She put you know, she was a big part of
this World championship putting it together, and I know they
spent so much time on it, and yeah, I mean
it was incredible. They really treated us like they did
the men you know last year for their World Championship
in our country, and they wanted to set the standard
exactly where they left it off for them, and I think,
(10:28):
I honestly think they did amazing. I don't think any
of us expected this.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
Do you feel like it set the tone like moving
forward as well. Like I think about when the U
eight teams upset Canada to two tournaments ago and that
game wasn't televised back home, you know, things like that.
Do you feel like things like the tournament this year
and what you all have been able to do like
help set that standward for going forward and will continue
to see sort of more improvement and changes.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
Yeah, absolutely, I think not not only you know kind
of showing showing very right now and changing a little
bit of the of the picture that that check fans
or check people, check community things of women's hockey. Uh,
just kind of changing that. That's like number one, and
obviously like more of it is always for the future.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
And you see the U eighteens and you know the
older us, the older us when when we were kind
of going through that through that stage, it wasn't always
you know roses and and we didn't always get the
same stuff that that they do now. And you know,
for us it's we are you know, we are just
happy and grateful that they get to have that because
(11:37):
we we went through the rough time. And obviously for
you know, the future girls like we want them to
have better environment and better conditions, and yeah, I think
it's showing. I mean, obviously they did. They did really well.
They've been doing really well lately. And uh, you know,
I think I think our country always had that.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
We just needed to put the right pieces together.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
And I'm just glad that it's moving in the direction
for both the senior team, the U eighteens, even the
youngest ones. So yeah, I just gotta keep going, right.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
I had two questions for you about Karl McLeod, one
being house or check coming, and two being what does
it mean to have someone who is you know, she
took over the head coach position while she was still
I believe a U sports head coach, became a p
w h L head coach and still stayed on as
(12:30):
the check ya head coach. To have her continue in
that commitment, what does that meant for for for you guys?
Speaker 4 (12:37):
Yeah, well, first of all, her check is horrible. It's
getting it's getting better every tournament. But but I can't really.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
Hold that over her.
Speaker 4 (12:47):
I mean, you know, our language is hard, and sometimes
when she's up to it, she's up to learn, like
one board here and there probably keeps forgetting it too
to be honest, but uh, you know that, but that's
not the point anyway.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
And you know, we are just grateful to have her.
Speaker 4 (13:03):
I mean, you know, I think it was the right fit,
just coming as someone who had this like very similar
experience as a player now being a coach, and you know,
she kind of talked about our checkwomen's hockey is exactly
where you know, the Canadian one was twenty years ago,
and it's a it's an interesting perspective to look at.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
And you know, she she went through it, so she's
probably right.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
We don't know how it was there and and but
obviously there were some movements and they had to get
where they are now. And the fact that you know
she was willing to come over and do that help
our country, help our team to do the same and
get close there, I think, you know, it's it's great.
I mean, she is a great audition. You know, our
(13:48):
national team was kind of lacking confidence a lot, maybe
because of the history, who knows, but she's definitely giving
us confidence. And you know, it's fun to play for her.
She's funny, she knows what to say when when the
right time is to be serious, and.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
You know, I think I think we all.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
Are on the board and and I'm going to apply
for her, And yeah, definitely amazing to have her. And
and the fact that she's a female too, like some
some players might look at it a bit differently than others,
but you know, that definitely helps and and just kind
of helps with the whole picture of us, you know,
showing the future in our country and that you know,
(14:30):
female head coaches.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
Okay too, we are a little bit behind all that stuff.
Speaker 4 (14:34):
And yeah, I mean, I mean it's kind of it's
kind of great picture overall.
Speaker 3 (14:41):
She's such a good motivator, Like when I've spoken to her,
like after at World Championships, after games, like even if
he's lost, she would be so positive about all the things,
like the way she makes she would make me like
want to run through a while. I imagine that, like
in the locker room having that. And then I wanted
to ask sort of about the because she has talked
about that she brings the North American style like Tushan
(15:02):
and some of your other coaches and the mixture of
that and how well that seems to work for you all,
and and sort of that not everybody has the U
eighteen coach coaching with the senior national team, so the
way and obviously Douchean being able to be in Chechia
while she is maybe not there in the languages and
all of that. It's a pretty unique setup. So both
sort of the tactics of the North American versus CHECKI
(15:25):
or European style, but also the sort of like holistic
coaching setup that you all have. How has that helped
you all become successful and be the team that you
are right now?
Speaker 4 (15:35):
Yeah, I think that that's a little bit of the
you know, when I was talking about the missing pieces
that she brought in, that's definitely one of them. And
just not be afraid to play against those guys. And
it probably is a bit easier since you know, most
of us have ded experience already. But you know, just
keep growing our game, keep getting on them, keep chasing them.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
Really, that's all it's about. And I think the gap
is closing.
Speaker 4 (15:59):
And yeah, I mean the missing pieces, you know, just
just kind of you know, get under their skin a
little bit.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
That's basically the biggest thing.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
Just you know, you can respect them, of course, but
like once you get on the ice, the respect has
to go a little bit aside and you're playing for
your team, and it doesn't matter if they are your
teammates are not outside and you're playing for your country.
You're just getting after it. And I do have to
say it's been very fun to see some of the
best players in the world getting frustrated just because they're
(16:31):
playing some you know, small country like Checky I is
and yeah, it's awesome. We are having fun out there
when it happens. Yeah, I mean, we are getting closer
and they know it too, and that's that's the best
part about it. Just you know, talking to them after game,
they're like, yeah, it's getting harder and harder to to
play against you guys. They basically don't even want to
(16:53):
play us anymore. And sometimes you know, the the score
sheet is not is not showing the full story, I
don't think. But but the gap is absolutely closing. And
as it is on the senior level, it's on the
U eighteen level two. Uh, we've seen it and it
you know, just wait, just Wade, it's gonna happen.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
I want to get back to your international career in
a in a minute, but I wonder if you can
take us through how how you came to be playing
in US college hockey because it's you know, a lot
of us are understanding that the game is growing to
be a worldwide game. The US college game is becoming
(17:35):
more worldwide. What's your background and how did it develop
for you.
Speaker 4 (17:42):
Yeah, so, obviously, growing up, as you know, young female
playing hockey wasn't you know, super popular by any means.
But I was fortunate enough to have you know, older
players that already kind of you know, either when or
by going through the process, and it just seemed like
the best thing to do, honestly, just you know, combine
(18:03):
as you know, studying with hockey at the same time
plus Division one moment hockey, you know that in my opinion,
top level from you know what seventeen to twenty four
years old, and yeah, so just just kind of had
that goal as I got to know, you know, the
older players and seeing their girl and just wanting to
(18:26):
go through that and have that experience to be a
student athlete because it just you know, it sets you
up for life, honestly, and it doesn't matter if you
play hockey after or not. But just combining the you know,
getting your diploma and getting your degree and then you know,
playing hockey at the biggest level and kind of get
(18:47):
the feel of how it is like to be a
professional athlete. Yeah, they just you know, kind of got
me there. I mean, you know, just when I was younger,
I always wanted to do that. I ended up leaving
for high school hockey, basically moving to Canada without school though.
(19:07):
I just moved to a junior women's hockey team. It's
called HDI Hockey Training Institute. We had lots of international
players there that helped me with my English. Honestly, I
didn't speak English at all. I moved when I was sixteen,
and you know just kind of you know, gotta be
created from there and then and then picked a school.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
And then you know, ended up at Vermont And at
the time of my life.
Speaker 3 (19:32):
When you were talking about sort of the various people
that have your credit for where you all are, like
you all as the players to have had done a
credit because so many of you came over to the
US or to North America to train and really you know,
sort of push your own development, like it's been so
important to the growth of check you women's hockey. I think,
you know, kind of starting with like Dolina Mills and
(19:54):
on from there that so many of you sort of
personally took it out on yourself to make sure that
you were getting the and training that you needed. Can
you maybe just talk a little bit. I mean it's
difficult because so much good is happening, but also like it,
there's something we said about how sixteen year old shouldn't
have to make the decision to like move across the
world to be able to further their game. So it's
(20:15):
been an interesting balance for you all and moving the
needle to get to where you are.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
Yeah, I mean it's true.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
You know you look at our you know, national team
roster and even the bigger you know, the bigger roster
just kind of all around who is who has been
through national team and you know, ninety nine point nine
percent players just all played internationally. And yeah, I mean
it's tough because the environment for you know, women's hockey
in check is not it's not there yet, and you know,
(20:46):
we are just a little bit behind. As I talked
about the other stuff, it's it's the same with this,
and you know other countries are getting ahead of us
with that. But I also think that's where in a
way it comes our you know, unique way as you
can kind of mentioned because you know, we don't get
to see each other often, we don't get to play
with each other often, but when we do, uh yeah,
(21:06):
those girls together, it's it's fun and you know we
have this specific humor and yeah, it's it's just different.
But yeah, it's you know, from when I went to
college even until now, like it's improving, it's growing, and
even now like so many you know, women's girls camps
(21:26):
during summers and kind of more help to get invited,
you know, and be able to join some you know
tournaments and camps where you know, the Division one coaches,
Division three coaches come to watch and recruit and that
that stuff is definitely growing. Uh, there wasn't many opportunities
for us before, so we had to move in order
(21:48):
to be seen.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
No one was really looking at Europe. Uh you know,
it just it just wasn't a thing.
Speaker 4 (21:54):
Uh So unless you do, you know, unless you made
it to the UA Team World Championships, no no was
really looking at you. And even if the World Championship
was somewhere in Europe or Asia and no one, no,
there was no chance for anyone to see you. So
we definitely had to move. But now it's changing. The
coaches are looking at you know, at the international players,
(22:16):
and it's also easier you can just you know, turn
on live stream from anywhere nowadays. It wasn't a thing.
Even when I was going to college, it still wasn't
a thing. So, you know, just just having you know,
the availability of watching the girls now, plus you know,
for them being able to play a junior hockey or
(22:38):
pro hockey in Sweden, Switzerland before they go to college,
that wasn't you know, necessary necessary an option for us either.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
So yeah, there's definitely you.
Speaker 4 (22:50):
Know, more option as as the game is growing and
just the whole woman's keyboard is developing.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
I wonder what it advice you'd give someone who was
like you at sixteen years old in check ya looking
to you know, having a goal and trying to find
the way to get there. With the experience that you
now have of having gone to Canada, having gone to Vermont,
getting the bonus here at Minnesota, all of these things
(23:21):
that have happened. I guess what stands out to you
is in as a you know, something that could motivate
someone that was in your position.
Speaker 4 (23:31):
Yeah, I think you know, it's a it's an interesting question.
Interesting topic for sure, because everyone is a bit different.
But what I would say would be, you know, if
that's what you really want, like go and try it.
You know, like what you have nothing to lose at
the end of the day. You might just like gain
experience from it. And it can be scary, especially like you know,
(23:55):
moving across the board, maybe not speaking English, you know,
you know, still being kid really, but it's something that
you know, I I think that was like the best
decision I could have ever made, honestly, Ah, it just
it just helped me in so many ways. You get
to know people from all over the board. Of course,
it's harder because you have to, you know, move away
(24:17):
from home, maybe don't get to see your family parents
as much. But you know something I was told when
I was sixteen, it is like you can always come home.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
You know where your home is.
Speaker 4 (24:28):
You know you're not gonna like it, You're you know,
you're not gonna be able to to get through it.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Maybe it's not for you. You can always come home.
Speaker 4 (24:35):
No one said you cannot, and you know, so why not,
like why not try it? Why not see like why
it can take you just fulfill the potential if you're
doing it on a serious level. Just go and be
serious about it, really, and you know your family is there.
They might be further away, but nowadays you have FaceTime,
(24:56):
You have all of those things, and.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
You know you are still gonna see them.
Speaker 4 (25:01):
It's not like you're not and you're always come home
and you can always come home even if you didn't
like it or you know, it got to have I
don't know. I just think it helps overall, if like
growing as a person as a player, and yeah, I
think if you got a chance, you got to take it.
Speaker 3 (25:22):
What was what sort of your lasting impression or like
your memories of Vermont and just what you learned there
and you had a pretty international team, And then if
you could tell us a little bit about like why
you chose Minnesota and what, like what this last year
has been like, maybe how it was different, and just
sort of digging a little on the details of your
college career.
Speaker 4 (25:43):
Yeah, I mean I was fortunate enough to be able
to go visit Vermont before I commit in and I
fell in love with that place. Honestly, it's beautiful out there.
All the people, you know, it just they had the
heart in the right place and it just felt like
the best fit for me, so I decided to go
and and honestly, I grew as a person. I grew
(26:05):
a lot there as a player too, but more incredibly
as a person because you know, I went to college
and it was a little bit harder because it was
COVID year for me. So I hit the school right
when it was COVID, which, on the other hand, I'm
actually glad I did because we got to spend five
six hours a day on the ice just having fun.
(26:26):
You know, everything was shut down. We couldn't even go
to school. You know, we were just living life. Honestly,
It's like we couldn't play games, but you know, we
made fun of what we had there. And yeah, I mean,
you know, when I was going to college, I not
that I didn't care about school, but I didn't have
to be straight a student by any means.
Speaker 1 (26:48):
I was just okay with BC's, you know, just.
Speaker 4 (26:51):
As long as I wasn't failing and I was passing by,
that was totally fine with me. I didn't really understand that,
you know, you kind of want to be I want
to be the best, you know, have a's in every
class and and have GPA and all that stuff and.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
Yeah, that was me.
Speaker 4 (27:08):
And honestly, by end of sophomore year, I started taking
school very seriously and just uh started to understand that,
you know, it is okay to have B and C,
but why not try to get an A if you
if you can. So I changed kind of my perspective
on that. I was like the biggest you know, movement
as a kid that that happened in me. And I
(27:30):
just kept getting better every single day, just doing skills
and and you know, just working hard, doing extra stuff
and having fun with the girls at the same time
and having some you know, all the players to look
up to, and having some great mentors out there. They
just they just helped me to grow into who I am.
And you know, I I had a blast. I had great,
(27:55):
great four years there, and I'm grateful for my time there.
I believe everyone is always going to be my second home.
And I love the people. The people make the place
and the people dire very amazing.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
And then when you had the opportunity for the fifth year,
were you did you always think you were going to
maybe look somewhere else or sort of how did that
process go and what made you land in Minnesota?
Speaker 1 (28:18):
Yeah, good question. I wasn't always thinking about it.
Speaker 4 (28:21):
I was just kind of going year by year, and
then you know, by my senior year, I kind of
I kind of felt like I needed a little change,
just to try to develop a little bit differently, and
you know, started the recruiting process once again, and and
Minnesota felt right the place for me, you know, a
fifty year, one more year bonus year. Wanted to play
(28:43):
and you know, try different league, different school, going from
smaller school to bigger school, you know, bigger hockey program
and bigger history and and all that. So just just
trying something new, really and getting challenged in a different
wace once again. And yeah, just kind of going through that,
(29:03):
getting my master's degree and you know, just just trying
to get the most out of it. And yeah, it
flew by, for sure, not only this year but the
whole colleage career. But at the same time, I think
I'm ready for the next step. And you know, I'm
more than done with school, I can tell you.
Speaker 2 (29:25):
So, yeah, you mentioned next steps, and there's so much
exciting happening in the next really next year, but coming
up in the next few months really of p w
h L draft, the p w h L expansion, you know,
and then we get into an Olympic season. How do
(29:46):
you how do you look forward to all of that
knowing that there's so much that's out there for you
and I imagine that's got to be exciting to look
forward to the next season.
Speaker 1 (29:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (29:56):
Absolutely, I mean not only just for me, right but
for all the girls. Just just having another step forward
to kind of be motivated to get to and and
and play in a league like that. It's you know,
it's unreal. It's definitely exciting. There's so many unknowns right now.
I don't know what's going to happen, but you know
(30:17):
that just the way how life is right now. But
definitely even having the experience to to go or be
able to go to the draft and possibly get drafted
and possibly play there. I don't want to get too
ahead of myself, but but you know, it's exciting just
the fact that you know there is the opportunity for
the girls now too, and you know, just just say
(30:39):
like be able to get drafted or you know for
some people that got drafted just yeah I got drafted.
Speaker 1 (30:44):
Like it's just.
Speaker 4 (30:45):
That itself is you know, uh, something that obviously we
wish we could have dreamed of before and now it's
finally here and I'm one of the lucky ones. I'm
hitting the right time in this and you know, yeah,
I mean, we'll see what happens. Hopefully it ends up
it ends up going well. But as you said, the
(31:08):
picture is bigger and definitely exciting summer coming up, and
we'll just see what happens.
Speaker 1 (31:14):
We'll go from there.
Speaker 3 (31:17):
In terms of that Olympic picture, I mean, I remember
talking to too many of you all. Qualifying was just
such a huge step for you you all, and finishing
seventh obviously you wanted to do better than that. So
now sort of with all of the momentum, you have,
all of the talent that you have, what sort of
are the conversations and and how are you feeling heading
(31:37):
you know that you were what we eight months or
whatever away from from talking about another Olympic Games.
Speaker 4 (31:43):
Yeah, I think the in general the first Olympic cycle,
you know, we we were just so new to that,
you know, we've never been there before. So I think
that was like a lot of emotion. We didn't necessarily
Nohan to handle it. And at the same time, I
believe that you know, things happen the way they are
supposed to, and uh, you know, I think this year
(32:05):
we are going to go into it way more experience
from from all the international players, including the first Olympic Games,
and just very excited for it, honestly.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
And it's going to be in Europe. It's going to
be in Italy.
Speaker 4 (32:18):
Uh you know, possible for families, friends to come over
if they want to, and and just just having it
kind of here in Europe is also a big thing.
And I mean it's it's been something that we've been
talking about for a few years now and and that's
the that's the big goal there. And uh yeah, definitely
(32:40):
wanna want to finish very higher than the last Olympics.
But again, I think that experience, you know, it's going
to show, it's.
Speaker 1 (32:48):
Going to show next year.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
Last question for me before I turn back over to
Nicole to wrap up, but I wonder what you're expecting
this next season to look like in terms of how
you how you prepare for all of that, and knowing
that you know you you'll you'll have a pro team,
you'll be on you know, everything goes well and and
you'll but you'll also have some some windows where you
(33:10):
have to be preparing for international play and and and
having those kind of mesh with each other and then
kind of going back and forth in February and then
in April and then it really just kind of whirlwind
of a season. How how do you prepare for that mentally?
I guess, and and and how do you guys as
(33:32):
a team? You know, do you know when you're going
to be doing all of that yet?
Speaker 1 (33:37):
Yeah? No, no idea.
Speaker 4 (33:38):
I mean, uh, you know, it's it's pretty close, it's
coming up, but it's still a bit far away. There's
so many things that are going to happen for myself
before that, and so I'm trying to just just wait
and see what happens with that and handle that, and uh,
then it will kind of move forward. But I honestly
think that, you know it, It's weird to say, but
(34:01):
I think in this way it might somewhat be easier
for me this year, just because the first the first
time I was in I was a student. I was
in school and I missed, you know, in two months
of school and and that, you know, that's that's something
so just kind of being able to, you know, just
play hockey, Uh, not not have to necessary worry about
(34:22):
other personal stuff, you know, other responsibilities and being able
to just focus on that. It's gonna be tougher with
with traveling, but you know, I think we can all
handle it. We haven't really we haven't really regrouped with
the national team even from boards yet, so I'm sure
(34:43):
that's all coming up during summer and and just kind
of you know, turning the page and preparing for next
season at the same time, just kind of seeing where
where it takes me and kind of go from there.
But yeah, I think I think no matter what we are,
we are just excited for the opportunity and just got
(35:04):
to see where it takes us. There's just so many
unknowns at the moment.
Speaker 3 (35:09):
I have two questions to wrap up. The first, I
would wanted to ask if you have had as you said,
you came to North America at sixteen year you are
only twenty three. With all of the things that we've
talked about, like you are still still relatively pretty young.
Have you had a chance at any point to sort
of maybe since world just take that step back and
really think about like you're on the verge of getting
to go to the draft for professional hockey league that
(35:31):
like none of us could have imagined a few years ago.
Like to think about where you were when you first
came to North America and where you're sitting right now,
both for your country, for yourself professionally, all the things
that have changed. Have you Do you get a chance
to really think on that and let it sink in
or are you just sort of there's so much happening
that that at some point maybe that'll sink in.
Speaker 4 (35:53):
I think I haven't sinked in just yeah, just because
I'm still finishing up school. I still have some stuff
to do, but but I'm almost done. But at the
same time, I believe that once I leave that's where
it started, you know, going to start hitting. It doesn't
necessarily feel like it's over just yet from that standpoint,
because again I'm still a students to take.
Speaker 1 (36:14):
But but.
Speaker 4 (36:18):
You know, just just kind of just even the mindset
just coming to a fifty year just taking it as
you know, being able to develop more for for the
professional life afterwards, and no matter if it's you know,
in U s Or Sweden or whatever, it is, just
kind of being able to play professional hockey after this.
(36:39):
I definitely, you know, definitely took this year as as
you know, trying to develop more and taking more professionally
at this point already just to kind of, you know,
take the bonus here basically and take the most out
of it. And and so from that standpoint, and obviously
like was in the bag of my had, but I
(37:00):
was kind of going, you know, day to day, I'm
still going day to day, and yeah, I think it's
gonna had, you know, once I leave this place.
Speaker 3 (37:11):
And then I wanted to ask during you actually said
it earlier here, but during Worlds you talked about like,
you know, the gap is closing, we are like I
really believe in us, And you said the same thing
in Duluth when with Minnesota, when with the Wisconsin loss,
just a very similar like full belief that like my
team can do this, this program can do this. And
I just wanted to ask sort of about that bit
(37:32):
of your personality, that sort of conviction that that your
team is going to be able to keep making those changes,
that Chuckie will be able to keep doing that that
it just was there was so much passion in what
you were saying that like I want people to to
know that bit about you, about like what about you
that makes you so so confident and so passionate about
like sort of supporting what's happening and knowing that your
(37:53):
teams can keep going.
Speaker 1 (37:56):
I mean, that's a great question. I don't know. I wasn't.
Speaker 4 (37:59):
I wasn't always like this, that's for sure. I wasn't
always confident. I was more just having fun. I didn't
look at it as you know, people told that I
was like so confident on the eyes, and I was
just like, I'm just having fun, Like I don't. I
probably didn't even know what that meant. And as I'm
you know, getting a little bit more experience, getting a
(38:20):
little bit older, just understanding how important it is to
believe in yourself and and I think there it's not
even about if I believe, but more so the questions
like why not, like why not, like go out there,
have fun and you know, give it your best and
see what happens. So it just kind of like, you know,
right now we are chasing, but I believe that, you know,
(38:40):
sooner rather than later we can play an even game,
and just like why not, Like you know, most of us,
like with the check girls, most of us play against
those girls, you know, every week, and that's the reality.
Speaker 1 (38:53):
So why not it's just doing it in a different color.
Speaker 4 (38:55):
Of jersey and you're doing it in front of your
home crowd or you know, maybe at a and a
pretty much bigger turn on man. But like, at the
same time, that's just kind of how I see it,
you know, like why why not try, you know, reach
the full potential and kind of be the best at
you know, what you do, if you love it, and
if that's what you want to do, I think it
would just be a waste if you if you didn't.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
Give it you at all.
Speaker 4 (39:17):
And so yeah, I think to me, it's not it's
not necessary about that. It's more like, you know, why
not try it if you have the opportunity, especially.
Speaker 2 (39:28):
This has been great, Natalie, Thanks so much for doing
this and and best of luck with everything that's coming
in your career.
Speaker 1 (39:34):
Thank you so much. Thank you for having me too.
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