Latest / Rinkside Rundown / Yale University's Carina DiAntonio on Childhood Dreams, Leadership, and Turning Pro in the PWHL

Transcript

Yale University's Carina DiAntonio on Childhood Dreams, Leadership, and Turning Pro in the PWHL · Rinkside Rundown

• Speaker 2: I remember before I went to college to play hockey, I thought that that would be kind of the end road. That would be the highest hockey that I could play. to now have a professional league that we can all continue to elevate our games is something that I'm really grateful for. And I think just playing in front of that many people is so crazy. And I'm just excited. Speaker 1: 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, Chris Sinclair, and today I am very excited to be joined by Karina D'Antonio, a forward from Mississauga, Ontario, captain of Yale University and someone preparing to take the next step in her hockey career with the upcoming 2026 PWHL draft. Karina, welcome to the show. How you doing? Speaker 2: Good. Thank you so much for having me, Chris. Speaker 1: Absolutely. My pleasure. So I want to actually start off, as I mentioned, ⁓ from Mississauga, Ontario, GTA for all those familiar with the area. I actually just want to know, like, what was it like for you to just be growing up in that area, in that community, maybe outside? get into, we have tons of time to talk about hockey stuff, but maybe just tell us, you know, bring us into that world. What was that like growing up in Mississauga? Speaker 2: think I was always a very active kid. I was always outside playing sports and just competitive at everything that I did, whether it was school, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, I played it all. And I kind of just wanted to be good at whatever I was doing. So really enjoyed the process of improving and learning new things along the way. Speaker 1: Absolutely. So then let's dive a little bit more into your hockey origins. So as you mentioned, play lots of sports, which is great. We'll get into maybe some of the benefits of that throughout this conversation as well, of course. But what was it about hockey that drew you in? Do you remember some of those early memories that were like the foundation as to, you know, what you maybe go back to throughout your hockey career thus far? Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely. I started playing hockey when I was four years old. It's kind of a thing in Canada. Every kid plays hockey. And I remember my sister played hockey and I was kind of a little jealous. I was like, oh, I want to play too. So my mom also played hockey. So kind of a family thing to just all play together. Speaker 1: How great was it then to be able to hockey, specifically hockey, run in the family or be something that you all can have this shared experience, especially early on in your journey? Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely it was amazing kind of when everyone gets it. Like my mom played and my sister played so they kind of understood like what went into playing hockey and we could play in the driveway or in the backyard a couple years we had nice ranks so just getting to do that as a family. Speaker 1: Nice. Good. So you had an ODR as well, right? Speaker 2: A little bit, a small one, small backyard, but. Speaker 1: But you made the most out of it. I appreciate that. ⁓ So looking at your junior career, the Chiefs, the Candidates, could you talk about a couple of great programs? Could you talk about those programs and maybe how they helped kind of, you know, I'm going to use the word foundation again, but maybe how they helped to set that foundation for you both on the ice as you were really starting to embrace the sport, starting to continue getting better and better. ⁓ as well as maybe away from the ice too. Speaker 2: Yeah, I think both the Chiefs and Candidates were great programs and the league that we play in is obviously really strong and the expectations are high. Kind of every game is tough. So I think it really taught me early on how to handle the pressure of being in a league like that and to push myself to get better in every game and every practice. Speaker 1: And so, again, as I mentioned off the top and we're going to get to leadership is not something you are new to because even during your junior career, you were a leader as well in your final season with Brampton. ⁓ And it actually, what was interesting, at least statistically, looking at your stat sheet, that was, you know, ended up being one of your strongest years, ⁓ again, statistically anyways. What maybe, it's interesting because you took over that leadership role and then you got, so you got better away from the ice, on the ice statistically. What was maybe, what clicked for you in that season when you're also taking on this new leadership role and what was that like for you too? Speaker 2: I it was really interesting because it was actually our first full season back from COVID. So everyone was just really excited that we were getting the chance to play. And we had a strong group that had been together for the past few years. So we had a lot of chemistry with everyone. And also our coach had been with us for the past few years. And so I think it was a combination of all those things kind of clicking together for a good season. Speaker 1: And how, guess then it begs the question being, I'm going to say being away from hockey. It's really an understatement when it comes to COVID, but we'll say when you were away from hockey from that time, what did you learn about how much maybe you loved hockey? I don't want to say take you took it for granted, but you didn't realize maybe that you loved it as much as you did until you couldn't play it for what probably felt like a lifetime for sure. Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely. And it wasn't even hockey, it was being away from all of my teammates. We weren't even allowed to congregate together or practice together. It was kind of just training and doing stuff on your own. And time was hard to come by, so I kind of missed that aspect as well as practicing and seeing my teammates. Speaker 1: And, you know, being a leader early on, and I know, I'm inevitably going to say it again, when we talk about your leadership at Yale as well, but, you know, often people will say like wearing a letter is, you know, it's just a physical manifestation. Like anyone can be a leader, you don't need a letter, but for you being a leader at such an early age, what did that teach you about yourself? Maybe not. on the ice, but maybe away from the ice and the kind of person that you were and maybe have ⁓ and was also becoming at the same time. Speaker 2: Yeah, I think it taught me that when you're a leader, like you said, it's just a letter. You don't really need to change anything about yourself. Like there's a reason that you were chosen to be the captain and to wear that seat. just continuing to do what you do and setting an example for everyone around you, whether it's on the ice or off ice training or just every day. Speaker 1: What like wild to be thinking that you had that sort of realization or like maybe that sort of understanding so early on that like, just be yourself. Like you got chosen for a reason, right? So how, I guess then how reassuring was that for you too to, you know, I know again, it's just a letter, but it's still, it's a meaningful thing. What did that mean to you to be able to carry on that tradition, to be able to set the tone or help set the tone? for the organization and for your peers. Speaker 2: Yeah, it's definitely such an honor to wear the C. You kind of are in a way representing the team that stands behind you. just such an honor and so grateful to have gotten the chance to do that. Speaker 1: Now, let's talk about Yale. We have so much to break down about your time at Yale. There have been, you know, it's interesting because, and I'm going to jump a little bit ahead to just kind of maybe do a little bit of foreshadowing if you will, but ⁓ lots, it seems like every time I would look at the score sheet, your name was there. It shows that the amount of growth, the amount of development that you went through during your junior career that really set you up for success in your collegiate career. Could you maybe, know, reflecting on your junior career, what helped you? Do you remember what it was that really helped you to lay the foundation? Again, using that word. for your time and your ultimate success at Yale. Do you remember what it was, some of those things that were really important to you during your junior career? Speaker 2: I think just the, again, the pressure of being in such a strong league and having every team be good and that kind of was, it was the same at Yale, just at a new higher level where every game was important and that kind of started early where in my junior it was the same thing where I had to bring everything to every game that I had. Speaker 1: So then what made Yale the spot? I mean, it sounds like a silly question because like it's Yale. that's sometimes, that could be your answer, but like what for you was it like, you know, the academic side of it, obviously, you know, we're going to get to it, but it was clearly really important to you as well. But what were some of those reasons that, you know, you had a lot of options. There are a lot of options staying in Canada, going to NCAA. What made it, what made that feel like the right fit for you? Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely. ⁓ I think Yale initially stood out to me for the academics because those were always important in my life and I wanted a place where I could kind of have the opportunity to grow as a hockey player, but also academically. And when I was visiting different schools and talking to players, another thing really stood out for me. When I'd ask the question, why did you choose whichever school they were at? And they were always talking about how it was the people, like the people are so important. And in that sense, Yale felt like the right place for me. I had developed a good relationship with the coaches over the few years prior to committing and the players were very welcoming when I came. So it kind of all just came together. Speaker 1: What was that jump like for you? What was it like to go from playing junior? You know, as you've mentioned, there was a lot of pressure and you learned how to navigate that. You learned how to be successful there clearly, but that's making that jump from junior to collegiate. There's like, you know, there's on ice pressure, new on ice pressure, new off ice pressure. What was that like for you? And what did you learn about yourself in that transition, that jump from junior to collegiate? Speaker 2: Yeah, I think the job was, like you said, definitely really big. But I was kind of fortunate in the spot that I ended up being in. I was put on a line with two seniors who kind of showed me the ropes early on and kind of picked up the slack, if you could say, in the beginning and kind of let me find my game and were always made a fun and practice in games. So it was just a good environment that let me grow. Speaker 1: So ⁓ again, as I often do jumping ahead to come back, having that as being one of your first experiences, having, know, knowing that you were on a line with people who were, as you said, going to pick up the slack and going to hopefully make up for some of those mistakes as you're learning and navigating. Is that something that you've kind of taken, you know, taking in on yourself as well when it comes to when there's new players joining the program? Because you're like, Hey, I remember. what you must be feeling like right now. Come on, come under my wing, I got you. Is that kind of something that you learned was really important for you moving forward in your career? Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely. ⁓ In this last year, I had the chance to play with a couple freshmen and I just remember being like, I remember how you feel. just kind of modeling what I do after what ⁓ those seniors did for me my freshman year that made me feel ⁓ really welcomed and like I could play with them. Speaker 1: So, you know, we've talked about how important the academic side was for you. And again, that being certainly the first reason that you would have chosen Yale. All of the other reasons are very important as well, of course. ⁓ What was it like for you to be balancing, more specifically balancing the academic side? Because to me, as someone who dropped out of university and all I had to do was go and do classes. I didn't have to do anything else. ⁓ and I still dropped out. That pressure, like that, that was a lot of pressure. I found that to be a lot of pressure. Again, I didn't have any other expectations of me. What was that like for you to be balancing the, the, the academic side more specifically and you know, to be successful. You were successful. You were recognized for the academic success that you had. Speaker 2: Yeah, think balancing academics on top of the busy hockey schedule that we had was definitely not easy, but it made me very disciplined and intentional with the way that I spend my time. know, sometimes we have more assignments than we can do. So really planning out ⁓ when you're going to do those and making sure everything gets done with the high standard and everything you do was... important, but definitely something that I got better at over my time at Yale. Speaker 1: Did it maybe take a little bit longer than you would have liked it to, to kind of make that adjustment and to kind of learn those valuable lessons? Speaker 2: Yeah, would say the first took the first couple years to really get my footing and how to plan out my days with getting all of my work done before practice and before the weekend of games. Speaker 1: Yeah, the number of times I've heard the, you know, that, that sort of time management, you don't realize how valuable time management is until you're like, I have to get all of my assignments done, everything done, likely by Thursday so that you can get every, so you don't even have to worry. Don't even have to think about all weekend because you might be traveling, bus, all these different things. And I don't know about you, but I would hate to be doing an assignment on a bus ride. Speaker 2: Yeah, the bus ride assignments are the worst. So I try to avoid them as much as possible. And I think this year I really kind of achieved that, which was great. So I could focus on the weekends on just playing hockey. Speaker 1: ⁓ How, again, I'm going to jump ahead to jump back again, but how great is it to know that in this next chapter, you don't have to worry about those assignments. You don't have to worry about the academic side. Of course, now you can just enjoy, you'll read a book because you want to read a book, not because you're assigned it and all of these different things. How good is that going to be too? Speaker 2: Yeah, I think it's gonna be great. I might have even too much time on my hands. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do. Speaker 1: As you have gone through your collegiate career, you've seen a lot of, when we talk about individual success, for sure, but you've seen Yale continue to make those steps forward and continue to grow as a program. You being on the inside and now most recently being a leader in that program, what's it been like for you to see the success, to see the growth, to see the changes, even just from your first year? to now your graduation year. What's that been like for you? Speaker 2: Yeah, I think my freshman year, Yale had one of the best seasons that it's had. So you kind of just saw the elevated standards and expectations of the level that we could play at at Yale. And I think it's continued to grow over my time here and just keeps going up. Speaker 1: You being a leader at Yale, you actually took over the leadership from a very respected and friend of the show, Anna Bargman. So I want to know from you, thick person, Anna Bargman is, great leader of course as well. I want to also, I've never asked this question and I've always been curious to know what it's like to get that, I'm going to say get that call. but get pulled into the office and be told like, remember that C? Remember how respected Anna Bargman was? Well, you're next. We're going to sew this onto your jersey. What's that like? Speaker 2: Well, it was actually Anna who announced it at our annual banquet that we had. So I was just really, I was actually surprised no one told me, no one let me know before. So I was really just honored and grateful that my teammates believed in me to put me in a spot like that. And fortunate to learn from great leaders like Anna so I could kind of build on what she had built the year prior and continue on the culture that they created. Speaker 1: Should have known she would be the one that announced it. ⁓ that's so cool. That's so cool. And I'm actually kind of, feel like it's kind of cool that you didn't know. So it was just like in that moment, everyone gets to celebrate you too. Like you aren't sitting there saying, okay, like let's get to the announcement. Like you get to enjoy that moment with your teammates. What was that like too, to be able to be around everyone, to be able to celebrate that moment so genuinely with everyone who has helped. You've helped them, they've helped you just as much. Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely. There were so many leaders in our class. So ⁓ really, I wasn't sure who was going to get captain. And not that it was really a big deal. Everyone was a leader this year. But ⁓ kind of hearing that alongside my teammates and hearing like all the cheers and everyone excited was a really good feeling. Speaker 1: Cool. Awesome. So leadership, I mean, it isn't always easy. It isn't always smooth. There are going to be their ups, there are going to be their downs. ⁓ And you've had, of course, had prior leadership experience and now, of course, being a leader again, what did you learn before that you applied now? And how do you think you've grown even more? now as a leader with having led such a prestigious program this past season as their captain. Speaker 2: I think I've learned a lot about balancing staying true to myself with also continuing to grow. ⁓ Stepping into the leadership role at Yale has brought me outside of my comfort zone, whether it's speaking out more or being intentional about how I lead so my teammates can rely on me. And I think the one thing that was really different from the junior year was that ⁓ the leadership was kind of always. Like it was in the rank, but it was always outside of, it was also outside of the rank and in school and kind of in everything that we did at Yale. Speaker 1: Now that you are moving into another chapter, I think it's always really interesting to reflect because things move so fast. I'm sure that you're sitting there saying, I feel like I just walked in for the first time and here I am now walking out for the last time. ⁓ What are you most proud of over your time, over your career? Maybe it's something personally, maybe it's just where the program went or was now is. What are some of those things that you're most proud of over your collegiate career? Speaker 2: I think I'm proud of a lot of things. think over my time at Yale, I've really grown as not only a player, but a person and someone that I'm really proud to have become. just how our team has elevated in so many different ways is also something that I'm so proud of and so excited for the future of the program. Speaker 1: Let's talk about this exciting next chapter, right? Which I'm sure you're both dying to talk about, but more so dying to just like press the fast forward button and get through the uncertainty that is the next few weeks. I'm confident. I know that's how I feel and I'm not even in the draft. So I can only imagine how you must feel. What are some of those things, you know, I talked about some of those things making the jump. from junior to collegiate and what were some of the things that were really important that set you up for success at the collegiate level. Let's do that same exercise here. Let's talk about, you know, collegiate level. is, as we talked about, it's another level and it definitely has its challenges. Of course, it's great things as well. Talk about how you've been set up for success as you look at embarking on what will inevitably be an incredibly successful professional career. Speaker 2: think all of the ups and downs of collegial hockey are going to set me up well for the future and learning how to stay grounded in the ups and the downs and pushing through the stretches where things really aren't going your way and just learning how to handle that is going to be really valuable. Speaker 1: What do you, well, I guess I didn't even ask. Like, what ⁓ are your thoughts? What are you thinking about when you're, you know, you're thinking about this next chapter? Like what's going through your head? Are you feeling excited, anxious, nervous? I'm just projecting on you here. So how are, I didn't even ask, like how are you feeling? How are you preparing for this? Speaker 2: Definitely very excited. I'm preparing in any way that I can possible, whether it's training, staying consistent with that, because the next level is just bigger, stronger, faster. So trying to get set myself up as fast as I can for that and honestly just staying disciplined with training recovery. Speaker 1: I'm going to put my GM hat on here for a second. I'm going to live out a dream and be a GM for just this next question here for a moment. So bear with me. If a team is evaluating you, you're sitting down, you're chatting with teams ahead of the draft. What are you, what are some of those things that a team can expect from you both on the ice, off the ice, in the community, in the locker room? And what are some of the fans, what are fans in whatever market you end up getting, being drafted into, what are they, what can they expect from you? Speaker 2: I think they're getting someone that brings good energy to the room and enjoys being around their teammates. I'm someone that enjoys having fun while I'm playing and joking around. But I also know when it's time to focus and be serious. Speaker 1: Yeah. And it's interesting again, because you talk about that and you have another giant smile on your face. So it just shows how much you're obviously excited about this, but the enthusiasm, the fun, you want to have fun and things are, we take things way too seriously. It's nice to have that person in the locker room who's like, Hey, you want to hear a silly joke or you want to like kind of just like, let's cool, let's chill out, let's have some fun. So it's great to have that kind of leader in that space. ⁓ you pass the test, you pass the test, you pass this GM's test. That's for sure. ⁓ so fast forwarding to draft day, I want to also ask, you know, you hear your name called, there's going to be a lot of things running through your head or, and again, I'm projecting, I feel like I would just black out the whole time. Like once I heard my name, that would be it. would have assumed I went on stage. Maybe not. I don't know. ⁓ but for you. Who are some of those people that you're going to be thinking of when you hear your name called? And maybe those are the people who challenged you the most, who supported you the most, who were your biggest supporters, biggest fans. Who were some of those people, coaches as well, of course, who you're going to be thinking of as you walk up onto the stage for the draft? Speaker 2: I think definitely my family who have kind of supported me from day one, driving me way too far to practice and spending a lot of time ⁓ just supporting me always. All my friends and teammates along the way and coaches who have pushed me to become better and help me be in this place where I am now. Speaker 1: ⁓ Before we move on, do also want to ask, know, like, of course, I'm going to say the state the obvious here, a lot of enthusiasm behind the PWHL, a lot of enthusiasm. We're seeing, you know, just got more numbers today, just in terms of engagement on social media. And then you're looking at YouTube being so successful for a lot of lives for the, for the games for in other countries as well. And, and you're of course seeing records being set, attendance records, MSG, TD garden. just. It's just crazy, it's incredible. Long overdue is the reality too. What would it mean to you to join that league and to be a part of, may as well say it, the foundation, I've already said it a few times, it makes sense for me to wrap up with that one too, but what does it mean to be a part of what essentially is the foundation being only in the third year of the league? Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, it's honestly a dream come true. I remember before I went to college to play hockey, I thought that that would be kind of the end road. That would be the highest hockey that I could play. to now have a professional league that we can all continue to elevate our games is something that I'm really grateful for. And I think just playing in front of that many people is so crazy. And I'm just excited. Speaker 1: Yeah, again, I said it earlier, but it's like, can only imagine you're like, okay, I just like, cool. I call my name. Yep. Yep. Yep. Let's get to training camp. Let's like, let's get, let's get out in front of those fans. Is that kind of, I know that you're trying to live in the moment and it's important to be where your feet are and it's important to embrace every step of the way, but is there a part of you that just really wants it to be the fall? you're at training camp. Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely. It's been too long since I've played a game of Fawkey, so I'm definitely excited to get back out there. But as you said, try to take it one day at a time. Enjoy the process. Speaker 1: Yeah, absolutely. I appreciate and respect that. It's difficult as it must be. We are now, sorry, I should say good luck. I'm going to say it again, but good luck in the upcoming draft and in this next chapter, because it's going to be incredible for you. Speaker 2: Thank you. Speaker 1: We are going to now close things out with the final buzzer segment of the show and As a disclaimer, I always say you can take as long as you want in answering any of these questions My goal is to ask the question and ask as few follow-up questions as possible Kind of keep this thing moving along. ⁓ as you know, I'm clearly very chatty and I like to I like to talk so ⁓ That's my goal, but you can take as long as you want in answering the questions. We are going to start with what is Karina's go-to pregame meal? Speaker 2: always chicken and pasta. Speaker 1: always chicken. Yeah, I mean, it to work for you. So yeah, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's for sure. ⁓ What's a routine or media habit that helps keep you grounded, especially on game day? Speaker 2: making sure that I get a good night's sleep beforehand and I kind of stick to the same pregame routine every time. Speaker 1: Chicken and pasta, got it. Yeah, absolutely. What's one word your teammates might use to describe you? Speaker 2: dedicated. Speaker 1: Good choice. Very little hesitation on that. I like that. That's that confidence right there. ⁓ What's something that people might be surprised to learn about you? Speaker 2: I'm studying engineering at U. Speaker 1: Okay, now I have to, I've gone almost all the questions without asking any follow up questions. I always fail at this. What's that been like for you and why engineering? Speaker 2: ⁓ I think I always liked the math and sciences in high school and kind of learning how things worked. So that just kind of felt like the right path to go on. like to challenge myself. Speaker 1: What a challenge it's been, I'm sure, but good for you. Just absolutely crushing it. Yeah. Again, another reason why you're like, you know what? This is, I'm glad I chose this, but my goodness, am I glad that it's almost done. Yeah, that's fair. What is on your go-to game day playlist? Speaker 2: usually some rap music, something to get me hyped up before the game. Speaker 1: Okay, great. And last one for you, if you could go back and talk to your younger self back in Mississauga, Ontario, what do you think you would tell her about the journey ahead? Speaker 2: think to stay present and enjoy all the moments and all the people that you meet along the way because it really does fly by. I can't believe I'm almost graduated now. Speaker 1: That's pretty good advice right there. Absolutely. Yeah. Time flies, right? So enjoy it. Enjoy the ride. love that. All right. And that wraps up the final buzzer segment. And unfortunately, today's episode in our conversation, Karina, I am so thrilled that I had the opportunity to be able to speak with you, to be able to hear your story, to be able to learn more about you. This has been an absolute blast. Very much was looking forward to this. And it more than lived up to my expectations. So thank you. And as I mentioned earlier, good luck at the draft. Good luck in this next chapter. And you better believe I'm going to be cheering you on every step of the way. Thanks again for joining the show. Speaker 2: Yeah, thank you so much for having me. Speaker 1: And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe and leave a review and share it with your fellow hockey fans. Your support helps me to continue bringing you stories just like this one from around 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.