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What does it take to turn early competition and high expectations into a dominant collegiate career and a path to the professional ranks? This week on Rinkside Rundown, I’m joined by Colgate University forward and PWHL Draft prospect Elyssa Biederman. Elyssa opens up about growing up playing boys' hockey in Michigan, learning what it takes to win with the Little Caesars program, and balancing top-tier NCAA competition with her studies in biology and sociology at Colgate. During our conversation, Elyssa breaks down her evolution as a power forward, the culture that drove Colgate's success, her experience representing Team USA, and the mindset she brought into preparing for the professional ranks. Note: This episode was recorded prior to the 2026 PWHL Draft. Elyssa was subsequently selected 30th overall by PWHL Hamilton. If you’re enjoying these stories, subscribe and share Rinkside Rundown with your fellow hockey fans. New episodes drop every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET, bringing you closer to the players shaping the women's game.

What does it actually take to stand alone in the crease when the pressure is at its highest? This week on Rinkside Rundown, I’m joined by St. Lawrence University goaltender and PWHL Hamilton draft pick Emma-Sofie Nordström. She opens up about growing up in a deeply rooted hockey family in Denmark, her development playing in Sweden’s SDHL, and the mindset that carried her across the Atlantic to NCAA Division I hockey. During our conversation, Emma-Sofie breaks down the mental resilience required in high-volume games, what leadership looked like as an assistant captain for the Saints, and her experience representing Denmark on the international stage at the Olympics. Note: This episode was recorded prior to the 2026 PWHL Draft. Emma-Sofie was subsequently selected in the fifth round, 54th overall, by PWHL Hamilton. If you’re enjoying these stories, subscribe and share Rinkside Rundown with your fellow hockey fans. New episodes drop every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET, bringing you closer to the players shaping the women's game.

This week on Rinkside Rundown, we welcome back friend of the show, Lyndsey Janes. When we first spoke back on Episode 47, Lyndsey was in the middle of her playing career at Mount Royal University. Now, she is stepping into a brand new chapter as an assistant coach with the University of Manitoba Bisons. In this conversation, Lyndsey opens up about navigating the shift from player to coach, what she takes from her time wearing the "C" into her leadership behind the bench, and the incredible growth of women's hockey on the coaching side. Episode 47 is linked here. If you’re enjoying these stories, subscribe and share the podcast with your fellow hockey fans. New episodes drop every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET, bringing you closer to the people shaping the women's game.

Grace Sadura joins the show to talk about her hockey journey, leadership, and commitment to the community. From growing up in Minnesota and playing three seasons at Minnesota Duluth to starting a new chapter with Northeastern University, Grace shares what has shaped her path on and off the ice. We dive into her role as a leader, her academic focus in psychology and Mandarin Chinese, and her impactful work in the community that earned her a nomination as a finalist for the Hockey Humanitarian Award. Listen to the full episode and subscribe for more stories from across the world of women's hockey.

This week on Rinkside Rundown, we welcome back friend of the show, Tristan Thompson. When we first spoke back on Episode 10, she was just getting ready to step onto campus for her freshman year at Northeastern University. Now, she is preparing for a brand new chapter with St. Cloud State University. In this conversation, Tristan opens up about the realities of dealing with early career injuries, how stepping away from the ice tested her mental perspective, and what it took to get her game back on track. We also dive into her decision to enter the transfer portal, what she found in St. Cloud State, and her unique connection to the professional game through her hometown Ottawa Charge. Check out Episode 10 to discover how Tristan's journey started. If you’re enjoying these stories, subscribe and share the podcast with your fellow hockey fans. New episodes drop every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET, bringing you closer to the players shaping the women's game.

This week on Rinkside Rundown, I’m joined by Boston University standout Sydney Healey. Her story starts on backyard rinks and how those moments playing sports with her family turned into a obsession with the game, how she learned to lead through the ups and downs of junior hockey, and why she chose Boston University to build her foundation. Sydney also opens up about the mental and physical shift required to get ready for the professional level, why the PWHL changes everything for players coming up today, and how she maintains a team-first mentality even when the pressure to succeed rises. We talk about that and so much more on this week's episode of Rinkside Rundown. If you’re enjoying these stories, subscribe and share the podcast with your fellow hockey fans. New episodes drop every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET, bringing you closer to the players shaping the women's game. This conversation was recorded ahead of the 2026 PWHL Draft, so we also had the opportunity to discuss how she was preparing for the next stage in Sydney's career.

What does it actually take to stand alone in the crease when the pressure is at its highest? This week on Rinkside Rundown, I’m joined by Penn State goaltender and Vancouver Goldeneyes draft pick Katie DeSa, where she opens up about the journey that brought her from falling in love with the game during the 2010 Olympics to anchoring the Nittany Lions' historic run. During our conversation, Katie talks about the importance of keeping things fun when the stakes are massive, the mental resilience required to bounce back, and how she unwinds away from the rink through fly fishing and music. This episode was recorded before she was selected in the fourth round, 37th overall, by the Vancouver Goldeneyes. On September 1, Katie signed her first professional contract, inking a one-year deal with the Goldeneyes. If you’re enjoying these stories, subscribe and share Rinkside Rundown with your fellow hockey fans. New episodes drop every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET, bringing you closer to the players shaping the women's game.

Building a foundation beyond the ice. This week on Rinkside Rundown, I’m joined by Brown University captain India McDadi. Instead of just tracing her collegiate steps in the ECAC, we explore how her athletic roots outside the rink ultimately shaped her competitive edge and leadership style. India opens up about growing up as a multi-sport athlete in Mississauga. We discuss how her early success in baseball taught her unique lessons in confidence, as well as the pivotal moment she decided to focus entirely on hockey. We also talk about her evolution as a leader at Brown, the realities of building a strong team culture, and how she translates those collegiate lessons into her own game. Because we recorded this conversation just before the 2026 PWHL Draft, India shares an honest look at her preparation for the professional ranks. She provides a rare, unfiltered window into the nerves and mindset required when a top collegiate player is waiting to take that next big step. If you’re enjoying these conversations, subscribe and share Rinkside Rundown with your fellow women’s hockey fans. New episodes drop every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET, featuring players from across the women’s game, from youth and college to the pros. Link in bio.

When a career comes full circle. This week on Rinkside Rundown, I’m joined by Colgate University graduate and PWHL Detroit draft pick Casey Borgiel. We trace her path from youth hockey with Little Caesars through her collegiate stops at Holy Cross and Colgate, and what she discovered about herself both on and off the ice along the way. Casey opens up about the impact of team culture and leadership, the reality of transitioning from junior to NCAA Division I, and how mental resilience and sports psychology helped her handle pressure at every level. We also dig into how she’s preparing for the pro game and what it means to build a career beyond the scoresheet. Since we spoke, Casey’s hard work has paid off in a big way. At the 2026 PWHL Draft, she heard her name called by her hometown club, PWHL Detroit, who selected her 22nd overall. In doing so, she became the organization’s first-ever draft pick from the state of Michigan. On August 14, 2026, Casey signed her first professional contract, inking a one-year deal with Detroit ahead of the 2026-27 season. “It’s a dream come true to come home and play in the same arena that helped me fall in love with hockey and find my passion for the game,” Casey said via team release. If you’re enjoying these conversations, subscribe and share Rinkside Rundown with your fellow women’s hockey fans. New episodes drop every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET, featuring players from across the women’s game, from youth and college to the pros. Link in bio.

What does a journey look like from small town Indiana to the pros? This week on Rinkside Rundown, I catch up with friend of the show Megan McKay, defender and graduate of Clarkson University, who grew up in Zionsville, Indiana and is now preparing for a professional career in the PWHL. Since Megan last appeared back on Episode 96 of the show (https://youtu.be/q6yg3V-ip9w), she wrapped up her collegiate career and declared for the PWHL Draft. In this episode, she shares the lessons she learned and growth she achieved while at Clarkson University, and how it’s helped prepare her for the next step of her career. We also chat about her own podcast, Her Shift, her blossoming broadcasting career, and the work she’s done within her community to help support and develop the next generation of women’s hockey stars. This conversation was recorded before the 2026 PWHL Draft. Since then, Megan has accepted an invite to PWHL San Jose’s camp this fall. If you’re enjoying these conversations, consider subscribing and sharing with your fellow hockey fans. New episodes drop every Thursday at 3:00pm EST and feature talented players from across the world of women’s hockey. Link in bio.

Community, leadership, and resilience. Three words to describe the journey of forward Maddy Christian, who joins me this week on Rinkside Rundown to share her inspiring hockey story. Maddy talks about the importance of community back home in Elk River, Minnesota and how they helped shape her into the player she is on the ice and the person she is away from it. She also reflects on the growth she went through in becoming part of the leadership group at Penn State University and what it took to pursue her dreams of playing alongside the best in the world. This conversation was recorded before the 2026 PWHL Draft where Maddy was selected 33rd overall by her hometown Minnesota Frost. If you’re enjoying these conversations, consider subscribing and sharing with your fellow hockey fans. New episodes drop every Thursday at 3:00pm EST and feature talented players from across the world of women’s hockey.

Antigonish, Nova Scotia native Sara Stewart joins me this week on Rinkside Rundown to talk about her early love of hockey, the impact of community and family on her career, her growth and development at Colgate University, and what it means to be representing the East Coast for her and the next generation of female hockey players. This conversation took place prior to the 2026 PWHL Draft, where Sara also shares what it would mean to hear her name called at the draft and to embark on a career in the best league in the world. Since we spoke, Sara has signed her first professional contract, joining MoDo Hockey of the SDHL. If you’re enjoying the conversations, make sure to click that subscribe button so you never miss a brand new episode, releasing every Thursday at 3:00pm EST.

This week on Rinkside Rundown, I sit down with Belleville, Ontario native Zoe Uens. Zoe walks me through how her love of hockey started from watching her dad and brother play, why playing multiple sports mattered for her development, and what it was like growing up in Belleville. We talk about her junior career with the Kingston Ice Wolves, her decision to commit to Quinnipiac, and the growth she went through over four years as a Bobcat. Since we recorded this conversation, Zoe was drafted in the third round, 36th overall, by the Montreal Victoire. Follow Zoe’s food journey on Instagram: @chueyeats If you like deep dives into women’s hockey and hearing the stories behind the players, click that follow button and subscribe on Substack.

Alex Therien went from playing her junior career in her hometown to representing Canada on the international stage to beginning an NCAA career with the University of New Hampshire, and this week, she joins me on Rinkside Rundown. We talk about the value of being a multi-sport athlete, Alex’s leadership experiences, and what it means to have a professional women's hockey team, the Ottawa Charge, playing in her hometown. Since our conversation, Alex has begun a new chapter with St. Lawrence University.

Chloe Glass, founder of the Girls and Women's Hockey Academy, joins me this week on Rinkside Rundown to discuss her transition from a college athlete and professional player in Germany to a leading advocate for athlete development, both on and off the ice. Chloe shares her journey from a young hockey player inspired by her father to a college athlete and eventually a coach, and the lessons learned along the way. We dive into how her academy supports young players by focusing on personalized physical wellness, psychological training, and proactive health habits to help keep athletes on the ice. We also discuss the Girls and Women’s Hockey Academy’s workshops, their work with the PWHL, and its future plans to continue making a positive impact on the next generation. Website: https://www.gwhockeyacademy.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580099482512 Instagram: @gw.hockeyacademy Contact: [email protected] Subscribe to Rinkside Rundown for weekly interviews with the voices of women’s hockey.