Latest / Rinkside Rundown / Thea Johansson on Sweden, NCAA hockey, and the PWHL Draft

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Thea Johansson on Sweden, NCAA hockey, and the PWHL Draft · Rinkside Rundown

• Speaker 1: It would be so cool to get the opportunity to play in that league. Like here, now, I'm watching PWHL as fast as there is a game on. Just super cool. I almost got goosebumps and my heart rate goes up just thinking about it. Speaker 2: Hello and welcome back to Rinkside Rundown, the podcast that brings you Inside the World of Women's Hockey, one story at a time. I'm your host, Kristin Claire, and today I am very excited to be joined by Tia Johansson, a forward from Sweden, a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth, and someone who is officially declared for the upcoming 2026 PWHL draft. Tia, welcome to the show. How are you doing? Speaker 1: Thank you so much and thank you for having me. I'm doing great. How about you? Speaker 2: I am fantastic and of course even better now that we are finally chatting and you, I'm so excited to dive into your story because there's so much to get to. What a career you've already had. And then obviously talk about what's coming up next for you. Cause it's going to be really exciting. So because we have so much to talk about, let's go ahead and dive in. And I want to, of course, as I mentioned, grew up in Sweden, spent a lot of your career in Sweden, of course. You also had quite or have quite the athletic family. So I want to start by talking about, I read that I was like, whoa, my goodness, mom's doing this, dad's doing that, brother's doing this. ⁓ What was that environment like for you growing up in such an athletic family and how do you think it shaped who you are as well as an athlete? Speaker 1: I I would say just the competitiveness, like we all love to compete and we all love to win obviously, but that's a big thing that like I think that I brought with me for like my whole life and like everything in life, but also obviously my hockey career and always striving to be a little bit better every day. Like we're talking about like the 1 % being better every day and that's for sure something that I think has come with that for sure. And obviously like My mom wasn't competing in that high of a level, but now she's kind of forced into being a huge hockey fan and we're always watching hockey. Even when we were younger, obviously my dad was reffing hockey and just what all that comes with that too. A referee is sometimes hard mentally, but always seeing him striving to get a little bit better every day. then to my brother, obviously we're kind of close in age. two years younger than me. So that has obviously been fun my whole life and like childhood, childhood, like growing up with him and stuff. I mean, we're always, it was always a competition. Like we were be shooting Pucks or we would be running home for the ring or running to the car, you know, always like such fun, competitiveness, but also I can be a kind of a sore loser. And sometimes I think that was like, I think that I was usually the one that up like crying or throwing things around, which is kind of funny. But at the end of the day, I think that is something that has like developed me as a hockey player for sure, always wanting to be as good as I can. And ⁓ obviously, like, I think that has helped me develop as a hockey player, but also as a person like outside hockey too, for sure. Speaker 2: Yeah, it certainly has looked like the foundation was laid for one heck of, again, like I said, one heck of a career that you've had. So it certainly seems to have paid off. ⁓ You actually started your SDHL career at a very young age, which I thought to be a really fascinating thing, at least from my perspective being that a lot of the athletes I've spoken with. You know, if they're going to play in the SDHL, sometimes that's a little bit later on, a little bit of a, you know, late teenager, early twenties kind of thing. You started when you were 14. What was that experience like for you being in the SDHL, being in and around athletes like that at such a young age for yourself? How important do you think that that also was for the incredible career that you've had on both sides of the ocean? Speaker 1: I I would say obviously like in the beginning, like I didn't play necessarily, like I didn't load that many minutes, but just being able to look at those athletes, like both playing against and with, and honestly like that development part, like it's just cred to STHL because they're doing a good job of developing younger players. And as you said, like I was 14 years old playing with and against those great athletes and girls that I still look up to today and It's just so crazy sometimes to look back at that one, like the team that we had, or like the players I played with and look back at that and be like, yeah, like I actually did play with Sydney Morin when I was like 15 years old and she's in PEDOP today. And it's just such a crazy, like, it was a crazy environment. And as I said, like, I think that also kind of like put the foundation on like how like I've been able to develop, but also like I. like watching them and like every single day, like day in, day out, I see when they put their like the extra energy into like, or the extra time into doing like shooting extra pucks or like doing extra workouts or whatever it might be. And I think that's a huge part of like being that young and seeing those girls do that and kind of like trying to do the same thing. Like I want to do exactly what they do. And as a 14 year, 14 years old, like starting. to do that in such early age and kind of like bring that on. Like, I think that has been huge for me. And like looking back at it, it's kind of like surreal. Like it doesn't feel real that I was that young. And like when I look at a 14 year old today, I'm like, ⁓ my God, like there is no way that I was this young and like how those girls also like took care of me and like helped me. Like I obviously had like a lot of questions for them and. They just kind of took me in their arms and helped me. So such a huge part of my development and I'm so happy and thankful obviously that I got that chance. And I think I played eight games the first year in STHL, which was like, kind of came in later during the season obviously. But at the end of the day, as I said, I watched those great girls, Hall of Famer, like Rike Wawelile, like... It's just so crazy to look back at now and be like, yeah, I was actually on a team or played against girls like that. Speaker 2: Yeah. And it's interesting because as you were sharing that, was just sitting here, I like, I feel like I would just be a sponge. Like I'd just be trying to absorb as much information, not just about like, of course you want to be great on the ice, but I think more importantly, what happens on the ice is a reflection of the kind of person you are off the ice. So do you feel like being around those people really shaped? I mean, again, he turned out really well in terms of an athlete, but in terms of a person. Could you talk more about what being around the professionals and how they approach the game, how are they looking at the game may have helped you to look at the game the same way or maybe it's your own unique way of looking at the game, but how did seeing them and their professional perspective on the game? How did that maybe shape you as well? Speaker 1: think it's a lot of like a mindset of actually being like a professional. It's a huge thing. Like I was obviously at like in school at the time, like especially early on, like I still lived at home and I would like go back and forward. Like my parents or a friend's parents would like drive us back and forward and just seeing like the professionalism of like actually being like a professional women's hockey player because Also, like when I was younger, like there wasn't like a lot of like girls that could actually only play hockey and that's the only thing they did. It's like, I think that's a huge thing of like being professional when it comes to like having a responsibility to warm up, cool down, do the workout, like all those stuff. like, I think that's like a big thing that has shaped me in like. doing all those things like 100 % every single day. You come to the rink and you do those things. like, sometimes it's like, okay, like we have a hard workout, like let's get it over with. But at the end of the day, they did get that over with, you know? like in the back of their heads or like made me also realize that in the back of my head, like those things makes you a better version of yourself and a better version of... you as a hockey player. I think that's a big thing. something also that I kind of have learned, like maybe throughout the way also, like I saw those girls and like, I might've not necessarily like understood the importance of what those things were, like what they were doing and why it was so important, but like getting older and like seeing like not making teams or like not, you know, like things like that. think. that has always brought me back to those days. And it's like, okay, I know what it takes or I know what those girls did and keep having that mindset and still kind of having that in the back of your head that, okay, those girls did that. I don't see why I couldn't do it. And I want to do exactly what they did. just like the leadership also, those girls, I brought Sydney Moirin up as an example, but Jess Healy also, a very close friend to me. Girls like that, the same with Hannah Olsson, for example. There's so many girls that are great leaders, that has been great leaders on their teams, or good leaders on their teams now. I think that has for sure obviously shaped me and helped me kind of understand what it takes, honestly. Speaker 2: And I love that you mentioned mindset. And I think that's so important. And I think one of those mindsets certainly is you make a team great, you don't make a team. How do you respond when you don't make a team? But one of the other things that ⁓ I discovered in preparing for this conversation was a quote from you that I want to read and then I want to get, because it speaks to mindset and I want to understand maybe how you're still leveraging this same mindset. on a day to day, because listen, I read this quote of yours and I've applied it to my own life. And I'm not even an athlete. just, I just, I just live vicariously through everyone else. ⁓ but you've said in the past, I love this game. I've worked my whole life at it. And while I am a fierce competitor, I believe we should be having fun while doing it. I try to never lose sight of that. Why is that mindset so important to you? Speaker 1: Like for me reflecting on this, I, my, I think it was my first U18 Worlds actually. I was on like the team for a long time, but then during like the one or two last camps that we had, I didn't make. And I was obviously like stressing out because I really wanted to make the team and obviously like I really wanted to do, like I really wanted to make it. ⁓ And I actually remember I like called the coach and was like, what do I have to like make the team? We're like, what do you think? What do you think is important for me to work on? And I think that's like a big thing. And that's kind of like reflecting on myself too. Like, I think I just always like want more. And I think that's a huge thing that I don't want to be comfortable and like, okay, like I made those three camps before, so I should be good. And I think. at that time also that I kind of learned that through that season that like, you can never like be comfortable and have a mindset that like, ⁓ I'm good for worlds now, or I'm good for whatever. Because like, we all develop and like, there's so many talented and great girls out there today. And I think that just kind of like, we're talking about mindset, but I think that kind of started something in my mindset that it's like. You can never be like, okay, I did like enough. Like I did bare minimum or I did whatever everyone else did. Because I think, and that's also like coming back to like competitiveness and like wanting to be the best always like, but at the same time, not putting like a lot of pressure on you because from time to time, it's like, you're gonna want to have fun and like looking back at my, like what I've done, like I think a lot of it has just been that I've been having fun with my friends and like my teammates and like I'm a bubbly, like happy girl usually. And I mean, just like with that comes like a lot of like you're having fun, like you love doing what you're doing. And I don't think if I didn't love the game of hockey, I don't think like, why would I put this much effort and time and energy into it? Like, why would I want to stand and shoot extra pox after? a hard practice, for example. So I think like having fun with it, but also like having fun with developing and having fun and wanting to get better every day is a huge thing when it comes to being a hockey player, because like we put so much time and effort and so many hours each day to get better. And I don't think I wouldn't have been, if I didn't like the sport or like loved hockey like I do, I don't think I would have been where I am today for sure. Speaker 2: Well, and you had mentioned as well about, ⁓ or alluded to the fact of, of really wanting to make sure that you challenge yourself, that you push yourself outside your comfort zone. The saying goes, and it sounds a little cliche, but like life begins at the edge of your comfort zone. And one of those things for you in your journey is going from Sweden, then over to North America, Mercyhurst, starting with Mercyhurst. And then of course, as I mentioned off the top, wrapping up with the University of Minnesota, Duluth. What was that experience like for you coming over and playing in North America? And what did it teach you about yourself in doing that, in pushing yourself, in challenging yourself to go outside your comfort zone? And my goodness, made it, I mean, at least statistically, you made it look pretty easy. Speaker 1: ⁓ I mean, actually before moving to the US or before, so I took like a gap year or whatever it's called, so I was working and I kind of told myself that if I'm going to college right now, I'm never going to go and who knows where I would have been today then. Maybe I wouldn't even have played hockey, who knows? But my dad actually told me. during the time when I was like kind of deciding if I was going to go or if I was going to stay. He told me that you usually don't regret the things you do. You regret the things that you don't do. And that kind of has stuck with me even when I left Mercyhurst. again, being comfortable where you are, like I stayed, like I played for HV for six years. ⁓ I was kind of comfortable there. Like, I'm not going to lie. Like I love that team and Um, at the end of the day, I think I kind of like, yeah, that quote or whatever he said kind of like stuck with me. And I was like, okay, I really like want to do this. And like my parents were scared. Like they didn't know what there was, like where they were sending me to even like, they had to, um, try to pronounce, um, eerie through like Google translate and stuff like that. So it was just like, they didn't really know. And I committed super, super late, which also like made it kind of like. I wouldn't say it was a rush decision, but it kind of was because like, it was also in the middle of like worlds was pushed back because of COVID. And I was there and I came late and like, as I said, like we didn't have like any idea. And I pretty much like walked into my first class the first day and I was like, ⁓ like, this is how it works here. Like, this is what I'm going to do, you know? So just like that transition was like not super hard because I just kind of like. myself out there and it turned out super good and I'm super happy and thankful for the time that I got at Mercyhurst. I got friendships for life there and ⁓ I loved playing for the team and yeah, super thankful for everything that that gave me and just like such a crazy thing like from one day to another like I moved to the US. All my friends at home was like, what are you crazy? Like how? But now, looking back at it, yeah, it is kind of crazy. But as I said, who knows where I would have been today if I didn't do that. Speaker 2: Yeah. And I suppose, I mean, again, definitely worked. The decision worked out quite well for you, but I guess sometimes it's helpful when you don't have the time to overthink something, right? You don't have the time to necessarily sit there and say, ⁓ I wonder about this. I wonder about that. Control the controllables. Don't worry about the rest of the stuff. And it sounds like that's the approach that you took heading into Mercyhurst. What was it like for you as well? I appreciate that, you you chat again. challenged yourself and said, hey, I'm too comfortable with Mercyhurst. I have to continue challenging myself. So ultimately that, presume that took you, that is part of the reason that you ended up at the Minnesota, at Minnesota Duluth. Could you talk about what that was like and, and, and maybe reflect on your college career as a whole? And what are some of, know, when you think about, you know, the Tia that went into college and the one that came out, ⁓ what, how, how have you seen yourself grow over that time too? Speaker 1: Yeah, like it's just such a crazy journey and I feel like I kind of got to Mercyhurst and I was like, I don't really know what kind of player I am. Like I'm a hardworking, like kind of like role player. Like ⁓ I accept where I am and like, like, I said, like young age and HV, like I didn't load that many minutes. And then I came up and I... kind of became the captain from like a lot of like star players like leaving or doing their own thing. the captain at the time, Hannah Olsson again, she got injured. So I got the, it was super cool, but I got the chance to be the captain for the team and super cool. But again, like I had no clue like how other people or coaches or teammates were going to look at me, like how I was as a player. And that's kind of hard to say also, like some people like trying to like, what is the biggest difference between us and Sweden? Like, it's hard to say. like, especially now, like I haven't played in SDHL for so long. So it's so hard to make like a comparison of the two or like, what's the difference. but I would say obviously like I came in and like, I had quite an impact right away, but I think. Like something that I've always had with me or like always loved is skating and my ability to skate is like the best, like what I'm the best at. And I think honestly, just using that in the right way, I think has a big, has been like a huge part of my development and like even being here, like a lot of coaches that helped me throughout like the years with like, you can use your speed so much more and like. especially like with the puck, like you should like really use your speed or your ability to skate. And I think that's like a big thing that I really like have like from like from being in Sweden to moving to the U S and now had four years, like looking back at those four years, I really think that people are usually talking about like what you should work on. But I think I have been working on what I'm good at also because like I want to like developed that too. obviously like my skating ability, I think that has made me a little bit dangerous threat like on the ice. But I for sure think that another thing is obviously like my goal scoring. I think that's something that we've like with a national team too, like we've worked a lot with goal scoring and like how to score a lot of goals. And I think Honestly, like the things that we've talked about, I've just like kind of like sucked in and like been like, okay, like I want to be one of those players that can make a difference in that. And obviously like playing with good players, makes it a lot easier and just trying to be like in the right spot. But like, I don't know, I didn't see myself as a goal scorer when I played in HV or like before coming to college, but. I mean, now I'm just kind of trying to be like, I'm still the player that are like super intensive and like skating hard work and I still, like, I'm not, wouldn't call myself like a skilled player, but at the end of the day, like I can't the puck in the net. And I don't know if I would have said that same thing like four years ago, if someone would have asked me then, but yeah, I think that's something for sure that I've developed. Speaker 2: Yeah, and which is remarkable to say it because again, when you look at your stat sheet, my goodness, looks like it was just like, it was, it was like, it just looks like it was so easy for you. It just looks like whatever unlocked once you, you know, when you made that switch, my goodness, has it ever paid off for you? What a great collegiate career you've had. ⁓ You had mentioned the national program. And of course I want to touch on that in our conversation because ⁓ Sweden is... one of, I am constantly telling people, one of the most exciting teams to watch. And I wanted to get your perspective as someone who's been a part of the program for as long as you have been, what it's been like for you to see those steps forward, to see that growth, to see some, of course, success, and then what it was like for you in the Olympics as well. Lumping a lot in there, I realized that. Speaker 1: ⁓ Honestly, it has been a lot of girls in and out from the group, but the last three, four years, it has been kind of the same group. I think that has made it, for me, super clear that we're a super close group. We're a young group, but also a group that has been doing a lot together, going through a lot of adversity together. doing a lot of testing during the summers. We've had 10 days of camps where we're just going super hard every day. I think stuff like that makes a team a lot closer and a lot of, OK, I got your back or, OK, you have a bad day. We're all here to help you out here. I think. We were talking like during the Olympics, we were talking a lot about connection and like the connection we had in the team and like, we're all so close. And I think I really value that a lot because I think that's what made Olympics such a special moment for us all. And just in general, like we just have a lot of fun. Like we talked about earlier, like outside we have so much fun and we can really like. be ourselves and, but when it is go time, it is go time. And that's when we're really like locking in. And I think that's something that is super important and has been super important for our team. even going through like the, we had the qualifications for Olympics, like mentally that's a tough stuff stage to be in. you're, you know, when you're aware that you're supposed to win those games and At the end of the day, the games got it, like we got to win those games. ⁓ and I think that's like, that's another thing, like adversity, adversity that we like, we just had to take that step. ⁓ and I think that's just like something that has made us like come closer and closer and closer as a group. ⁓ yeah, Olympics was just kind of like, when people ask me now, it's like, it, it doesn't feel like. I was there, but it's so weird that I was there. Like it feels like a dream and it feels like, like the Olympic bubble or whatever you call it. Like it's so real because like when you get out from that village or like when you're done with Olympics, it's like, oh my God, like it feels like a dream and it is a dream. we, that's something that I've dreamed about since I was how young and I mean. just such a crazy, like crazy year in general for me, obviously personally, but being able to represent my country for like on the absolute biggest stage is I'm like speechless still. Like, I don't really know what to say. Like super cool experience. And I'm so happy and thankful that I got that chance and yeah, just super cool. Speaker 2: Yeah. And of course, with every experience comes, well, things that you can take away from those experiences, the lessons that you can learn throughout those experiences, which I, there's so much more I want to ask you about the Olympics, of course. But I think the most pressing part of our conversation has to be this next chapter, because you are on the verge of potentially, fingers crossed, joining the PWHL. And so I wanted to get your perspective, first of all, on what do you think that would mean? What do you think with all of the excitement and growth and expansion and all of these things coming with the PWHL, what does it mean to you to be this close? Speaker 1: It's kind of, again, it's kind of like it doesn't feel real, but it would be so cool to get the opportunity to play in that league. like, like here now, like I'm watching PWHL as fast as there is a game on and at the end of the day, like it would be so cool. like playing with and against players that I have played with, but also that I haven't played with or against before. So. No, such a, it would be just crazy. So like such an opportunity and ⁓ just super cool. almost got like goosebumps and my heart rate goes up just thinking about it. But at the end of the day, like, I hope that everyone strives to be playing on like the biggest stage and like that is for sure. And it would be super cool. yeah. ⁓ I'm just, as you said, I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for the best, but it's also for me, feel like it's such a great motivation of like working out, like going, getting through like hard workouts and stuff like that. It's like, it's in the back of my head. Like I, I don't really know what it takes, but I know it takes a lot, a lot. And, um, yeah, just use that as motivation this summer to work even harder than I did before. um, yeah. would be such a crazy opportunity for sure. Speaker 2: Yeah, it's wonderful what that can do for your motivation. When you think you found that top gear, you somehow dig deeper a little bit more and you find another gear, that's for sure. ⁓ Of course, when you look at your career as a whole, You've played in the SDHL, you've had success, of course, in your collegiate career internationally. All of those experiences, all of those lessons, both on and off the ice, how do you think that will now translate and help you to be successful should your name be called in the upcoming 2026 EWHL draft? Speaker 1: I mean, just everything that I've, as you said, been going through and grew up playing with great hockey players and everything like that. Obviously, just always having one more step to look forward to, something that has always been like, ⁓ it's right here, but you got to work a little bit harder for it. And I think, as I said before, As motivation, think that's great. And just having like a back to run after every, like every day or every single season, like it would just be such a, such a cool thing. ⁓ if it happens, but obviously like, I got to be humble also, like there is so many good girls out there and like, it's obviously going to be hard, but as I said, like this summer, obviously I'm going to. That's going to be my motivation for sure. Just work harder every single day. ⁓ yeah, it's just so crazy. And as I said, I'm sitting here with goosebumps now. don't really, I want to think about it, but I also don't want to think about it. Speaker 2: Yeah, of course. There's moments like these where you're like, I wish there was a fast forward button to get me from here to that moment. So I know. Exactly. one way or another, I would like to know, of course. ⁓ So let's fast forward then. Let's fast forward to draft night. I'm always curious to know in those moments where, you you end up hearing your name called. It's draft night. You hear your name called. What's, what do you think is going to be running through your mind or who do you think? is going to be someone that comes to mind, maybe that was there in your corner supporting you or maybe challenging you. Maybe you hated them when they kept challenging you and pushing you and all of these things, but that you're going to be reflecting that night and say, you know, these are the people or these are the moments that I'm really proud of, that I'm really happy for that have led me to this moment. Speaker 1: For the first thing that comes to mind when I'm thinking about that is my family. Obviously, we were talking about how we kind of have been pushing ourselves and pushing each other to be a better version of ourselves. Both my parents and my brother, they just mean everything to me. They're always there. They're watching my games. They're helping me out with workouts and stuff. everything that they've been doing. Like my parents probably doesn't love to have like a shooting thing outside the front door, but like, unfortunately that's what it has to be. And you know, at the end of the day, they have just been like my whole family, like grandparents, cousins, everything like they've all meant so much to me. like, obviously like my close parents are the people that are there like every single day. And like they see me every day, they see the work I put in, but I also see the work that they have been putting in for me and for us, like me and my brothers. I mean, yeah, just my family. Yeah. I don't even really want to think about it, but it's probably going to be a couple of tears if it happens. Yeah, for sure. The first people that I'll think about is my parents. Speaker 2: Yeah, your family. Yeah, of course. Yeah. Okay. want to, as first of all, I'm going to say good luck, of course. ⁓ I am certainly rooting for you to be drafted here in Ottawa because that would make things a lot easier for me. But that's just me being selfish, but of course, good luck. I'd definitely be looking forward to cheering you on on draft night. We are going to wrap up today's conversation with the final buzzer segment. It's a fun. rapid fire way to wrap up the conversation. As I always say, it's only rapid fire because I'm going to try not to ask any follow up questions to kind of keep things moving along. You can take as long as you want in answering the questions. Okay. We are going to... Speaker 1: I don't know if you're getting yourself into here. Speaker 2: ⁓ We are going to start with what is your go-to pregame meal? Speaker 1: I'm always eating like some kind of pasta, either pasta with like meat sauce or tomato sauce. So that's for sure like my meal. And then I always drink some kind of energy drink. like knock-o is a big one. So yeah, I would say that. Speaker 2: Okay, sure. What is one song or artist that is on your go-to, we talk about go-to a couple of times here, go-to pregame playlist? Speaker 1: I am listening a lot to Avicii, obviously, like ⁓ good house music there, like Hey Brother or something like that. And then obviously like ABBA is a big one too, just Swedish music. like Gimme Gimme is a good one. So yeah, I'll say those two. Speaker 2: I appreciate it because when I normally ask that question, I have no clue the artist, which always makes me feel ancient. in this case, I do know both of those. What is something that people might be surprised to learn about you? Speaker 1: don't know if it's like super surprising, but I've always been super active. Always been kind of hard to like sit still. ⁓ Not super like into just like be chilling all day. I usually have something planned or something coming up, but yeah, so I'd probably say that like when I was younger, me and my cousins, we pretty much like taught ourselves how to do a backflip in the backyard, for example, like. Small stuff like that, just like, kind of just like proved that like, yeah, I didn't sit still a lot when I was younger and I'm kind of the same, like till this day, like I very easily get bored and yeah, so I would probably say that. Speaker 2: Well, I appreciate that somehow I've been able to then keep you seated during this entire conversation. So that's great news then. Last question for you. If you could go back to your younger self back in Sweden and maybe talk to your younger self about the journey that you're going to embark on, especially now with this next chapter right around the corner. What do you think you would tell your younger self about? that journey, the ups, the downs, the goods and the bads. Speaker 1: This is a hard one, but I think honestly, just like have fun in the moment. Like, obviously like you said, it's going to be ups and downs. Like you're going to run into difficulties or hard things that you never thought that you had to, or you never thought that that was going to be a problem. probably have fun, but also like be curious, like ask questions. I think that's something that I've learned later on, being in college and stuff like that. I think that is something that I could have been better at when I was younger. Like, okay, I don't understand this. I'll just ask. There is no dumb or stupid questions. ⁓ yeah, have fun and be curious and just remember that. you love this sport and you put all this energy and time in for a reason. also, I feel like for me, I love being a part of women's hockey developing and I want to be an active ⁓ part of this and wherever I now end up going or whatever I do, I want to be a a big part of developing women's hockey. ⁓ So probably just have that in the back of the head too, that it keeps developing. It's just going to be better and better and harder and harder and more competition for sure. But ⁓ yeah, have fun throughout the way and be super, super just curious and ask questions. Speaker 2: Absolutely, I love that. And that wraps up the final buzzer segment and today's episode. ⁓ I cannot believe it Tia that we have now arrived at the very end of the conversation. Time flew by, time flew by, but this was an absolute blast. Thank you so much. You have so many things on your plate. You took time to join the show. Thank you and good luck in this next chapter. I can't wait to cheer you on. Speaker 1: Thank you so much and thank you so much for having me. Speaker 2: Absolutely. And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, leave a review and share it with your fellow hockey fans. Your support helps me to continue bringing you stories just like Tia's from across the world of women's hockey. I'm Chris Sinclair. Thank you so much for tuning in and I'll catch you next time on Rinkside Rundown.