Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/774246
Just as girls' hockey soon grew large enough to garner its own teams, Zumwinkle's passion for the game flourished. The senior forward at Breck High School already has a gold medal under her belt after playing in the 2016 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship [at press time she was com- peting in the 2017 tournament with Team USA]. She's also earned honors as an all-conference golfer and state champion tennis player. We caught up with the future Minnesota Golden Gopher to learn more about her family's influence, skill development and how she bal- ances her time between multiple sports. Minnesota Hockey Journal // You had quite the start to your senior year (24 goals in 9 games prior to joining Team USA for the 2017 Under-18 Women's World Championship in Czech Republic). Is it bittersweet to be playing your last year of high school hockey? Grace Zumwinkle // It's definitely a little bit bittersweet. The team has always been so fun to hang around and we've gotten so close. But at the same time, I'm also looking forward to college hockey. MHJ // Do you have any specific goals you're trying to accomplish before the end of the season? Zumwinkle // Yes, for sure as a team, the goal is obviously to make it to state; but we know that's out of our control. As a team, we also have measurable goals, which are working hard during practice every single day and growing as a team on and off the ice. Outcomes aren't always the best formulation for goals. We're just focused on the little things and we know those will add up at the end of the day. MHJ // How intense is the Breck- Blake rivalry? Zumwinkle // Honestly, it's probably one of the most intense rivalries in the game; especially with being one of the top-three teams consistently year in and year out. Everyone gets hyped for it. MHJ // What do you think makes a hockey player strong, and why is it important to stay tough out there on the ice? Zumwinkle // I think the biggest thing is being resilient and overcoming obstacles that may come your way. You always have to be mentally prepared for a bad shift or getting scored on. You have to be able to bounce back. MHJ // Do you have any advice for younger girls who are either just getting started or want to take their game to the next level? Zumwinkle // I think just continue to improve your skills on and off the ice, and be a good team- mate. If you're a good teammate, people are going to want to play with you, and that makes the game so much more enjoyable. MHJ // Do you remember the first time you laced up the skates as a kid? Zumwinkle // I remember one of my friends in kindergarten came to school one day and we were just talking. He said he was going to try hockey, and I was like, 'I want to try, too!' I went home and told my parents and they made sure I was sure I wanted to try it, and then we went out and bought the equipment. The night before I was going to actually skate, I didn't actually want to do it and was crying in my bed. My parents reminded me that I was already signed up, and they really encouraged me. I loved it ever since. MHJ // Where did you play your youth hockey? Zumwinkle // I started in Chaska/Chanhassen, and then we moved [to Minnetonka] a few years after starting, so I spent the majority of my time in Minnetonka. MHJ // Did you play with the girls or the boys? Zumwinkle // When I started, I was with the boys because that was one of the only options and the girls' program hadn't evolved yet. But as girls' hockey started becoming more popular, I switched over to the girls' team, so I spent the majority of my time with them. MHJ // Nowadays it seems we are to the point where there are enough programs, opportuni- ties and competition out there that girls don't have to play with the boys. What do you think about that? Zumwinkle // For sure—it's evolved so much. I think it's awesome to see the sport continu- ing to grow. I know hockey has always been boys-dominant with the NHL and everyone's goal is to go there. But I think especially with the NWHL [National Women's Hockey League] starting, it's encouraging girls that they can go far in hockey. Obviously, it's not to the same extent the boys are, but it's making progress. MHJ // Is there a specific coach that's really made an impact on you? Zumwinkle // I don't know if there's one specific, but obviously Winny Brodt, and then Ronda Engelhardt, who's our high school coach. And then Scott Bjugstad, he's a shooting coach of mine. I think they've all given me the tools to help me succeed and be the best player and person I can be. BY THE TIME GRACE ZUMWINKLE REACHED KINDERGARTEN, she had convinced her parents she wanted to try hockey—unfazed by the fact that she would be playing on a team dominated by boys. FEBRUARY.2017 // MINNESOTAHOCKEYJOURNAL.COM 09