Meet newcomers: Emily Zumwinkle

Women ‘s hockey 8/8/2021 10:09:00

The MINNEAPOLIS-Golden Gopher women’s hockey team welcomes seven newcomers to the team for the 2021-22 season, including Emily Zumwinkle, a right-handed freshman defender from Excelsior, Minn. and Breck School. Emily is the younger sister of the older striker Gopher Grace Zumwinkle. Zumwinkle shares some of his earliest hockey memories, his U.S. hockey experience, why he decided to become a Gopher, and more.

Gopher Sports: How did you end up in hockey first?

Emily Zumwinkle: I first played hockey when I was four years old. Both of my older sisters also started playing when I was young, so I repeatedly asked my parents if they could buy me a pair of skates so I could play with them.

GS: What is your earliest hockey memory?

THIS: My earliest hockey memory was when I started playing, and my parents had reported me to a weekly camp with Breakaway hockey. My dad always came home from work early to drive me, and it became our common routine. He loved me and it meant everything that he was there watching me.

GS: How do you think your early hockey experience contributed to growth in the sport?

THIS: My early hockey experience was amazing. I played as the Minnetonka Skippers grew up. I got to meet a lot of people through hockey and it just made me constantly want to get back on the field. Also, the fact that the older sisters played sports kept me really motivated and excited about all the opportunities that hockey could offer.

GS: When did you realize that playing Division I was an opportunity for you?

THIS: I first realized that Division 1 hockey would be an opportunity for me when my older sister Grace committed here to the University of Minnesota. I was excited about him, and that’s when I realized I really wanted to be just like him. He constantly reminded me that if I continue my work, it will become good things.

GS: How did you choose the University of Minnesota?

THIS: I chose the University of Minnesota as an opportunity to succeed, both athletically and academically, at the highest level. The university has excellent researchers with a wide range of main options. The Hockey program is consistently one of the best programs in the country with such incredible staff, coaches and team atmosphere. Ever since I stepped on campus, it really felt like home and I knew I was supposed to be here.

GS: What is your family like? How did your sister Grace affect your playing career?

THIS: My family is amazing. They are all so supportive and like me in the sense that they love to be around each other and spend time together. We are all really athletic and hardworking, which is why it’s so much fun to play with each other and against each other in different sports. Grace has been a big role model for me since I was little. Even in the short time you are with him, you can tell that he is very hardworking and really willing to be the best. This has really motivated me to work hard and I have become the best version of myself as a player and a person. We are best friends, so it is natural that we do everything together. We complement each other really well. We love training together and we both have a common goal to make each other the best we can be.

GS: How would your family describe you?

THIS: I think my family would definitely describe me as outgoing, loving and hardworking. I really enjoy helping others and making others feel part of something special. I really do a lot of work in everything I do and I strive to be the best player and person I can be.

GS: Did you play other sports as you grew up?

THIS: Yes, I played high school tennis and golf in addition to hockey.

GS: What was your US hockey experience like?

THIS: My US hockey experience has been amazing. I’ve had the opportunity to attend several U.S. hockey camps, which has been something so special to me. The opportunity to represent the country and play with the best players in the country is an amazing feeling and experience. I am very grateful for the opportunities I have been given to represent American hockey.

GS: What do you like to do in your free time outside of hockey and school?

THIS: I love spending time with my family and friends. I really enjoy going to church with them, boating, traveling and playing golf, tennis and pickleball.

GS: Is there any hockey player you’ve admired or looked up to?

THIS: I’ve always admired Winny Brody and Lee Stecklein. Both are perfect examples of a great player, person, and leader.

GS: What was your high school hockey experience and winning the three-state championship like?

THIS: My high school hockey experience was amazing. My eighth grade year, the first year in Breeding, was special to play with Grace as a parent. I will never forget to hug him on the ice in the final of the episode when we lost to Blake in overtime. Then I had the privilege of winning three state championships with Breck. Winning a state tournament with your best friends feels like nothing else. For five years, there was something really special about my team that I got to see the team meet every year and work towards our common goal.

GS: How does it feel to go to the same school with your second high school teammate, Sadie Lindsay?

THIS: That’s awesome! I am very grateful for the opportunity to play with a good friend and high school teammate, Sadie Lindsay. We push each other better on and off the ice and we get along really well. We’ve been best friends and teammates since we were little, and I’m so excited to get to live my childhood dream of playing Gophers together!

GS: Do you know what you want to study and what career area you are interested in?

THIS: I major in business and marketing. I am really interested in understanding how companies market products to different customers.

GS: What is the part of your game that you are confident in and the part of the game that you want to deal with more?

THIS: Part of my game that I’m really confident in is my ability to use my speed and offensive skills to join the rush and get a good chance to shoot the puck or play with my teammates. I will continue my work, which is the ability to see the traffic passing through the lane and give me a better chance of scoring.

GS: Was there anything special about your team or coaches during your visit that confirmed your decision to come to the University of Minnesota?

THIS: Something that came to mind when I first committed to the University of Minnesota was the way the coaches really made me feel part of the team and the program. You can say that they wanted the best for me and wanted to help me achieve my goal. The team was all very hospitable and really showed me what it’s like to be a family within a team.

Quick facts Emily Zumwinkle!
Favorite pizza sauce: cheese
Favorite season: Autumn
Favorite hobby: pickleball
Favorite TV show: Foreign banks
Favorite TV pair: Meredith and Derek (Grey’s Anatomy)
Favorite animal: dog
Describe yourself in one word: outgoing
Hockey always comes _________: be confident
Favorite Athlete: Serena Williams
Hidden talent: ceramics
Mention one food you refuse to eat: Nutella
Favorite vacation: Christmas
Dream profession: CEO of a design company
Night or morning person: morning
Favorite workout: skating and running
The biggest fear: snakes
Dream vacation: Paris
Sport other than hockey: tennis, gymnastics and golf