MOLLY DONER »» WOMEN'S HOCKEY BADGERING...
A freshman forward from Mukilteo, Wash., Molly Doner moved to Vermont during her senior year of high school to attend the North American Hockey Academy. Doner has played in every game for the Badgers this season and recorded her first collegiate point with an assist on the game-winning goal against Minnesota State on Sept. 29.
How big of a change was it moving from the West Coast to Vermont for hockey? "It was a big decision on my behalf; I've never really been away from home before. The main decision for me, was going from a season where I was traveling down to San Jose once a month and only getting about 30 games a season, to moving and getting an 80-game season. It was also different because I ended up playing with some of the top U-19 girls in the country. The first two weeks were kind of a struggle for me, getting adjusted to the pace and playing with girls that knew how to play at a very high level. I was lucky enough to play with some of the best girls, and it really helped me step up my game to the next level."
So far what has been your favorite part of being a Badger?
"I like just about everything! When I came on my official visit last year I got to see the chemistry that all the girls on the team had and I hadn't ever realized that a team could get along that well until I witnessed it. Once I became a part of it, it's basically been like a family. Everyone gets along so well with each other and we have chemistry both on and off the ice."
If you had to be stranded on an island with one teammate, who would you pick? "I would probably say 'Z' (Katarina Zgraja). She's really healthy and she knows just about everything in terms of food. So I think she'd probably be a good one, she'd help me find my food sources in order to stay healthy."
What is your typical pregame routine?
"Whenever we're at home, I start the day with a walk. I wake up and I go down to Starbucks to get coffee. Then I go sit at the terrace, I have certain spot I sit at, and I just clear my mind of everything, whether it's hockey or school, just absolutely everything, so I'm just at one with myself. It makes me realize how blessed I am. Sometimes you may feel like it's a rough day, but I just take a breather and realize how lucky and fortunate we all are. Once I'm at the rink, I sit in the bleachers, in the same spot each time, and I listen to the same three songs. Once those songs are done I head to the locker room and get ready for team warm-up."
28 » VARSITY NOVEMBER 29, 2012
