EAST LANSING, MI- The Michigan State University Women’s Hockey Team is back after a COVID-19 hiatus that cut the 2019-2020 season short, and completely cancelled the 2020-2021 season. With bold matchups, returning players, and fresh faces this season promises excitement.
Three veteran players return this year to lead the team as captains. Senior Natalia Asimakis heads up the team as captain. Asimakis is a Media and Information student who has been a part of the team for 3 years. She started her journey on the ice when she was younger in figure skating but made the switch to hockey to join her brothers and dad, who also played hockey. As someone who is “a happy camper” just being on the ice, Asimakis does not have a specific team that she is excited to face off with this year, she is just happy to be back on the ice and facing teams across the league. Her goal this season is to make it to the ACHA National Tournament.
With a positive attitude, Asimakis plans on leading by example to inspire the team, sharing her high energy so others may follow suit. Staying positive and motivated is her plan to success this season and hopes that her energy and attitude will rub off on her teammates throughout the season, no matter how tough things may get.
In the off season, Asimakis hit the gym, maintaining her strength and pushing herself to prep for this season. She also kept her legs used to the skating movement by rollerblading, knowing that the motion would help keep her legs in shape for skating and help maintain the power in the off season.
Senior Morgan Graham also returns to the team, finding her place as alternate captain this season. Graham is an Agricultural Business and Electrical Technology major who is on her fourth season with the Spartans. Hailing from Canada, she began playing hockey at age 10, like most kids. Hockey runs in the family, as her dad and brother also played the sport. Graham’s goals this season are to make it to Nationals and to also be a good leader on and off the ice.
Graham isn’t a big talker. Her leadership style is to keep a positive attitude and lead by example, with her energy motivating the team to follow her lead and push through adversity. A positive attitude and energy will help propel the team toward success, and hopefully find wins against the tough competition. Graham is most excited to face off against Adrian College, a long-time rival and the biggest competition the Spartans face in the league, as they are the back-back returning CCWHA league champions.
When asked about her favorite hockey memory, Graham shared that she is proud of scoring the game winning goal in overtime against Miami University her sophomore year. Her proudest moment pre-Spartan Hockey was making it to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association (OFSAA) finals with her high school team. Her successes make her a great fit for the team and will help lead the women to victory.
Rounding out the captains is Katie Novell, who steps into the role of alternate captain this season. Novell is a junior Supply Chain Management major who returns for her third year with the Spartans. Like the other captains, Novell started playing when she was young. At five years old, the neighbor boys convinced Novell to play hockey, because they did and had an awesome backyard rink they built, and the rest is history. This season, she hopes to make it to Nationals as well, but also has a goal to play the best hockey she can while creating a positive impact on her fellow teammates both on and off the ice.
Much like her fellow captains, Novell’s leadership style is to lead by example. To help keep positive vibes for the team, she hopes to stay positive on the bench and help foster friendships off the ice so that when they are on the ice together there is great chemistry and strong bonds between the players. Novell believes that this strategy will help motivate the team to win, and have more fun, because winning is always fun. To prepare for success this season Novell hit the gym and worked out a ton over the summer so that she would be stronger and more in shape for the start of the season.
These goals will foster new bonds and memories for the ladies. Novell shared some of her favorite memories with the team were bus trips with team bonding activities and hanging out with the other girls off the ice. Prior to playing for the Spartans, she loved all the tournaments and adventures with her teammates.
With a strong leadership team, this season promises fiery matchups, solid competition, and tons of positivity and fun on the ice.
To keep up with the Spartans this season, follow us on social media:
Facebook: MSU Women’s Club Ice Hockey
Instagram: @msuwomensicehockey
Twitter: @SpartanWHockey
Author: Audrey Kahler, Communications Assistant
Editor: Mackenzie McMahon, Communications Manager
Photos: Katie Smith, Graphic Design Assistant