Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/929558
MHJ // Do you remember when you first started dreaming about becoming a part of this team? Dani Cameranesi // I don't remember what age I was, but I was sitting at home watching the Olympics, and knew I wanted to play on the USA team one day. At one of my banquets—I used to play boys hockey —one of my coaches was talking about how all the boys have the ability to go and play in the NHL, but I have the ability to play in the Olympics one day. MHJ // Were there female Olympians that particularly inspired you to reach for this Olympic dream? DC // I was always really inspired by Krissy Wendell and Natalie Darwitz. I'm really just trying to follow in their footsteps. I've learned a lot through watching them when I was younger, and hopefully I can say I learned and end up a little like them. MHJ // What do you like best about competing with this U.S. team? DC // I think just being a part of the team is the best part. Being able to play with some of the best girls in the world and being able to put on a red, white and blue jersey every day is such an honor, and a great thing to be a part of it. MHJ // A lot of fellow Minnesotans are on the team; What's it like to have that camaraderie? DC // It's great having that connection with them and carrying that through with the rest of the team. The whole team has a great connection off the ice and that really makes for some great play on the ice. MEET THE MINNESOTANS OUTSIDE CONNECTIONS 20 M H J ON L I N E . C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8 Q&A with Dani Cameranesi • Amanda Kessel played for the Gophers for four seasons (2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2015-16) • Four Team USA members (Alex Rigsby, Kendall Coyne, Monique Lamoureux- Morando and Jocelyne Lamoureux- Davidson) are also members of the Minnesota Whitecaps