It’s no secret that the University of Denver is well-known for its esteemed hockey program. Yet, the program’s success goes beyond the NCAA level, since the Club Women’s Ice Hockey team is certainly a force to be reckoned with.
The team is Division I in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) and most seasons they play around 18 to 25 regular season games.
Being a player on the club team requires commitment: the team practices every Monday and Wednesday from 9:30-11 p.m. Despite the late nights, the team dynamic makes practice fun.
Senior and captain Nina Stoops said that this team has completely changed her experience at DU because a main priority of the team is fostering a close-knit community. Through this mentality, Stoops has met some of her closest friends.
“Skill is important but personality comes first, being a good person goes much farther than being a good player,” Stoops said.
In conjunction with a close team dynamic, the athletes play to win. Their season kicked off in September and so far their record is 2-3-0, but Stoops and the team are making plans to improve.
“I am a defender, so I want to continue keeping pucks in the zone and getting shots on nets and as a captain, I want to make sure I am there for my girls, giving good feedback and being supportive on and off the ice,” Stoops said.
The team will implement these changes when they head to Arizona for four games against Grand Canyon University, Arizona State University and University of Arizona before winter break in November.
Led by Head Coach John Anderson, and assisted by Marissa Oakley and Tyler Ballantyne, the team and coaches are determined to build a nationally competitive program in the coming years.
In fact, the overall goal for the team this year is to make it to nationals.
Off the ice, the players also hold full responsibility for the team. They are responsible for managing the five-figure budget, handling scheduling and administrative tasks with the league and school, fundraising and recruiting.
The future of the DU Women’s Club Hockey team is bright. Stoops recounts that during her freshman year, there were only eight or nine girls with no goalie on the team. Now they have a completely full roster, with 30 girls and three goalies.
The full roster is just one of the aspects that is redefining what Club Women’s Ice Hockey looks and acts like — it’s the start of something great.
