Latest / Rinkside Rundown / From Little Caesars to PWHL Detroit: Casey Borgiel’s Full-Circle Hockey Story
Transcript
- speaker-0: There was the PWHO game at Madison Square Garden and there was a huge like Colgate alumni event because there were so many in that game. And we all went down to it and we're like, wow, we are at a sold out women's hockey game at Madison Square and this is unbelievable. And any one of us has the opportunity to play in this league. And I I think it was it was just like we were like, wow, still shocked that how big it's become and how awesome it is. Like I love it. 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'm joined by Casey Borgill, a defender from Port Huron, Michigan, a graduate of Colgate University, and someone who has emerged as one of the most dynamic offensive defenders in the NCAA. Casey, welcome to the show. How you doing? speaker-0: Good, how are you? I'm honored to be on the show and excited to talk. speaker-1: Well, thank you. I'm honored that you take the time to ⁓ to join the show. You have so many things going on right now. ⁓ so this is ⁓ this is an honor to have the chance to chat with you and learn a little bit more about you. I'm excited. You ready to dive in? Let's do it. Okay. Do you remember what first drew you to the game of hockey and when maybe it kind of turned from more of a hobby, more of a this is fun? speaker-0: Yes, let's get into it. speaker-1: to ⁓ I'm gonna take this a lot more seriously. speaker-0: ⁓ so my I have a brother, ⁓ I have two older siblings, a brother and a sister. And my brother, they're four years older than me and he started playing hockey and I always was like, I wanna get on the ice with them and then it was like learn to skate, put up a rink in our backyard every year and I just constantly wanted to be on the ice, even if I could barely stand up in my skates and and then it was time to go from learn to skate to learn to play hockey in my hometown. And right then and there I was like, All right, I love hockey, this is the sport. And then around ten or eleven years old, it was soccer or hockey, and I knew instantly it was gonna be hockey that I wanted to pursue. speaker-1: What what was that adjustment like for you to go from learn to play to like actually really learn how to skate? What was that adjustment like for you? Were there a lot of bumps and bruises or was it ⁓ did it ⁓ was at any point was it discouraging or were you just like, This is definitely what I wanna be doing? speaker-0: It was it was at one of those age groups. I mean, there wasn't really women's hockey where I'm from in Port Huron. It was you play with the boys and eventually I went to Little Caesars where it was women's hockey, but it was one of those things where it was like the best players on the team were the ones that knew how to skate. So it was just always about like, all right, you have to know how to skate. ⁓ and that was like the transition period of all right, who's gonna go to the next level is probably the better skaters. So speaker-1: Well, and I mean, it seems to have paid off. Whatever that transition or however that transition went, it certainly paid off for you because you had a lot of success early on in your career, early on in your junior career, state championships, national championships, and including also some leadership roles along the way. When you look back on those years. What do you think those experiences meant for you? And how do you think those experiences winning and being a leader in in the process, what do you think that really did for you your foundation in the game of ⁓ of hockey? speaker-0: I mean, the little Caesars or group of us, there was a large like a number of us that grew up together. Right when Mano Reno had that first team on twelve U, we kinda went all the way up to nineteen U together. And I mean being surrounded by people, the group of us were just like, We love hockey, we want to play hockey. Everyone's goals was college hockey and ⁓ there's girls on that team that went to the next level and are on the national team like Kirsten Sims and just being surrounded by people that love the game and have the same goals as you constantly. Kinda just helped that and it was fun. Every day we'd go to the rank. We'd all go to the rank an hour early just to hang out. So ⁓ that definitely helped a lot. speaker-1: Well, and it's interesting that you mentioned this because I've had the chance to speak with a few players who have gone through the Little Little Caesars program and they all say the same thing that like even now, even to this day, they're still in touch, still in constant communication with many of those same players. What did it mean to you as well to ⁓ to be to to grow up, to grow in the sport, to develop in the sport with the same group of people? Like that must have really been helpful that you're all kind of able to experience the the highs and lows or In your case a lot of highs ⁓ throughout your junior career, but do it together. speaker-0: I mean, it was definitely awesome and ⁓ I still we have a group chat, it's pretty active still. There's a good chunk of us between the ⁓ fours and ⁓ fives that talk every day still, even in college, which is definitely like a time commitment to do that. And I mean, growing up we lost in the national championship when we were in fourteen you and we were kind of like, all right, we don't wanna experience this feeling again. So we knew like let's just keep going. We again love coming to the rank and let's take like Michigan. ⁓ it was pretty ⁓ unbelievable to have that amount of girls that are of that caliber being in the same area at the same age group. So we were all like, All right, this is something special and let's just build with it. And it's fun too. So speaker-1: Yeah, that makes all the difference too, certainly, for sure. ⁓ so you had mentioned ⁓ earlier about also playing soccer and and making the ultimate decision, rather quickly it sounds, that hockey was gonna be the sport for you to focus on. But what do you think it meant to be able to play multiple sports? To be able to play different sports as you were growing up and not necessarily solely focusing on hockey as much as of course it sounds like that was Certainly the more passionate of the two sports. speaker-0: Yeah, I definitely am thankful. My parents were like forcing me to play other sports. And I mean, soccer was like the big sport. I didn't try out for volleyball. I played volleyball in the summer and ⁓ basketball I tried out for, but I didn't make. ⁓ soccer was definitely picked hockey because I don't like running. So that was a obvious decision to make for myself. But ⁓ just playing soccer, like I'm very grateful for it. I think it's great for any athlete to play multiple sports just to use different muscles and to use a different like mental standpoint during the game. Every year after Caesars ended in I don't know, say early April, parents were like, All right, it's soccer season now and you're focused on soccer and you're not picking up a hockey stick or skating at all until June. And that was kind of the thing. Like little Caesars, we didn't have spring hockey. So it was very easy for all of us to ⁓ pick up another sport. And it was very my parents were very adamant on like you play hockey nine months a year, you need that break. ⁓ so I'm definitely grateful that. And I still do that to this day. Like when the ice gets taken out at college, it's like, All right, you're not skating until June. speaker-1: So all right. So perfect segue into your collegiate career. We have to jump on this, so we'll do it. ⁓ you started off with Holy Cross and you made an immediate impact. All rookie team seemed like you were pr that jump was super easy. It at least to say at least on this on the score sheet, it looks like it was easy. But maybe could you talk about what that step was like for you to move from junior to collegiate? Like what was what was it really like for you to make the adjustments? necessary to make that jump as successful as it clearly was. speaker-0: I make this joke all the time, kind of with some of my friends, but the first fifteen games of college hockey, I remember every time I go into a corner battle, I'd probably get knocked over. Like college hockey, everyone's stronger. They lift. We didn't I didn't really lift that much before going to college. So it was definitely like getting stronger and putting on a few pounds and getting extra work in the weight room to be able to play with these girls. Cause it was also during COVID too, my freshman year. So I was playing against people that were five, six years older than me. So that was The biggest adjustment. speaker-1: And what do you think you learned most about yourself, both, you know, a of course as a player in being able to make that adjustment during your time at ⁓ we're we're focused here on Holy Cross right now, but during that time, what do you how do you think you or what do you think you learn most about yourself, both on and off the ice? speaker-0: I think for myself it was like, all right, this is like people came to play D one hockey here and it's a commitment and there's a lot going on. Like it's November, you've played however many games and you're tired constantly. Like there's no escape to getting tired, maybe the week you go home for Christmas. But ⁓ and it's more about that commitment piece. And I was I like fell in love with that. I was like, All right, this is a grind and when we don't have hockey, the days we had off, I was like, What do I do with myself? I don't know what to do. ⁓ so it was kinda like that's what I learned about myself, like, okay, I wanna do this for a very long time, not just four years in college. speaker-1: Okay. So I feel like then you that may have actually answered this next question already, but I we'll we'll dive into it a little bit more because then of course, after two years at Holy Cross, you transferred over to Colgate. And so before I get to what you the question that you may have already answered, ⁓ what was that transition like for you? What was it like to learn new programs, to be around new people, to be, you know, put in now different situations? What was that trans ⁓ transition like for you? speaker-0: It was definitely a tran ⁓ transition just in team playing style and the ECAC is very different than Hockey East and I think many people can look out to that and ⁓ I think just with that I I knew some people on Colgate's roster, like Kaya Malikino ⁓ Alyssa Biederman and they definitely helped too like knowing two people that I actually grew up with on the program and just getting to know them through their friend group was made the transition a lot better. ⁓ especially cracking into a group. class of people that was there for two years. speaker-1: So then like when you look at your offensive output, and I know that's only one aspect of your ⁓ of your of your journey of your collegiate career, but like there was a significant jump from your first two years at Holy Cross to ⁓ you know, these last two years at Colgate in terms of your offensive output and really the stats across the board, of course. What do you think, you know, you mentioned commitment, certainly you realize just like how much more committed everyone else is and that you have to elevate yourself to that same to that same spot and of course ideally exceed that. What were some of those other changes or some of those other things that you noticed where you're like, okay, I gotta get better and and how did that translate to the ice as well? speaker-0: I think definitely the summer between Holy Cross to Colgate, ⁓ I was very intimidated by Colgate 'cause they they went to the frozen for the year before and I was like, Wow, I'm going to this university to play hockey here. This is unbelievable. And I know like talking to Alyssa Biederman, I like, Okay, what are we doing? Like I what are the expectations? And she's like, ⁓ it's it's gonna be fine, Casey. So that whole summer I was grinding 'cause I was so scared. ⁓ and I think that definitely helped. ⁓ just trying to work through that summer and really be like, Okay, it's underclassmen to upperclassmen jump and a new school and I'm intimidated. ⁓ so that definitely helped a bit. And I mean the opportunity that ⁓ Colgate allowed me to have like put onto a power play unit with Christina Colt and Cova standing in front of the net. Like that just it kind of just helps elevate your game naturally and ⁓ I thankful for that opportunity. speaker-1: So ⁓ then also with that, of course, making those adjustments, having to, you know, overcome that intimidation factor, maybe a little bit of imposter syndrome in there mixed in there as well. What you you obviously the results speak for themselves. How good does it feel when you reflect on making that adjustment and and the unknowns and being able to overcome ⁓ you know, the the unknowns, the challenges, those perceived obstacles that you may have ⁓ that you may have had going into that program, what does it mean to you to be able to come out the other side and my goodness, what a career at Colgates you had? speaker-0: I mean like that was right. The transition was right when the PWHL was forming and it was kind of for my thing, it was like, all right, like this is this is real now. There's an NHL for women's hockey. ⁓ and the bulls that we've dreamed about are real. ⁓ so it started started to kind of become like, all right, this is work like this is what you wanna do and the hard work is hopefully paying off and I think that's just kind of important to reflect on. speaker-1: So you have been described, and I kind of alluded to this. Well, I didn't kind of allude allude to it in the open. ⁓ but in terms of your ⁓ you you are ⁓ described as a very offensive minded defender. ⁓ but I want to actually t throw it to you. How would you describe your style of play and how do you think that it's evolved from your junior career to your time at Holy Cross to now, especially now that you're looking at, you know, knocking on the door? of that very same PWHL that you just spoke about. speaker-0: ⁓ I mean definitely in junior, like on again, just touching back to Little Caesars, the team was unbelievable. Like I think we had eight out of nine forwards go D1 and to very elite universities at that. ⁓ so kind of in Little Caesars, I didn't really have to do much offen like there was no offensive really need from any of the defenders. ⁓ and offensive defensemen kind of have blown up in the last few years, but not when I was in Utah. ⁓ so that definitely Like, I mean, it's more fun to play offense, but need to in Little Caesars because the forwards were just they would just handle everything in that aspect. And then going to Holy Cross, ⁓ it was definitely it's hard to go from stage to stage the transition to be offensive at all. And I I think a lot of defenders would say that. And so it's really important to get down your defensive style and like good D zone habits, like mixing out. forwards that are stronger than you and getting down with that. And I think that's something that I'm very grateful I discovered at Holy Cross was learning how to play defense at that higher level. ⁓ especially in Hockey East, that is a very defensive league. So that was important. And then going to Colgate, ⁓ and the ECAC, which is more offensive of a league, and ⁓ just the speed of the ECAC players and such like that. ⁓ like it just kind of allowed, like it was just like a natural default. to go from like the defensive zone to joining the rush. Like that was just part of Colgate's game was ⁓ the weak side defense. You're gonna be an option join the rush. And that just naturally started to happen. Playing in the offensive zone is a lot more fun than the defense. speaker-1: When we look at your collegiate career, so you you obviously we've talked a lot about on ice and the success and the growth you've had there. You majored in ⁓ psychological science. So I do just wanna pause and ask, what is psychological science? I have never heard of that program. speaker-0: Really? So when I declared at ⁓ Holy Cross it was psychology and then at Coolgate it's psychological science, 'cause there's more of a neuroscience, like brain cognitive way to it, ⁓ in that aspect. So it was more like biology side of the brain and stuff like that, which is definitely something that was new to me too, because it's ⁓ it was slightly different than what I ⁓ originally declared to. ⁓ but it's kind of just like the study of the brain and behavior on more of the social side of it. than neuroscience. speaker-1: Okay, perfect. So I'm glad that i the definition of it was what I was expecting it to be, because then that this next question wouldn't have made any sense at all. ⁓ but I wanted to know as well, then, knowing that you're you're majoring in such a degree, how has that maybe impacted or how is that played into how you approach the game, how you navigate the ups and downs, how you also, you know, reset mentally. ⁓ because that's a part you know, a part of the game that I think is certainly underrated is the mental side of the game. And while you have a bit of an inside scoop there. speaker-0: I mean, it's definitely like funny when you learn something in class, like a social psychology class, and then it happens in real life or like post game. It's like, ⁓ that actually is something I learned about in class last week and it makes sense. This is gonna happen. This is how I'm gonna feel and when something happens in the game and you're like, Okay, just take the twenty four hour rule to calm down and then you do naturally. ⁓ or s something happened and you're like, All right, sleep on it. And then you do and naturally in the morning you feel better. Like I think it was just kind of like, ⁓ I learned about that in class and it's actually quite relevant to the situation I am in right now. I think that was just kind of like it's kind of fun to connect school to hockey, honestly. speaker-1: Do you I I don't know if you this was an intentional thing, but do you what drew I guess then what drew you to the the science of the brain side of things? Do you think that it was it had anything to do with you loved sports and that kind of made you think about how can I look at the game differently because I'm feeling so much pressure? Or was it just a happy accident and you ended up just also loving science and biology and the mind and psychology? And so that's why you chose that as your major. speaker-0: definitely think it was like how relevant psychology is. Like it it's everyone interacts with everyone. ⁓ like humans are just social beings. So it was kind of that thing like, ⁓ it's just very relevant. And I mean I do want to eventually go into coaching. And my parents were like psychology would be very relevant to coaching because you learn how things happen, why they happen, what is expected to be the next thing and I think that's really relevant kind of just with anything you want to do, but especially with coaching. ⁓ Because it just like you would know more about people and like understand things a little better. speaker-1: So I'm going to use this as a bridge to the PWHL and the draft that's upcoming and how you're feeling about that. When you think about this major that you have, psychological science, how important do you think it's going to be now more than ever as you look at making this next jump? As you look at taking, you know, you talked about the physicality going from junior to to collegiate and how much you needed to really make sure that you were not going to ever take it every time you go into the corners and stuff like that. ⁓ you're gonna be making another big jump into the PWHL. How important is that is understanding the brain and knowing yourself the way that you do? How important is that gonna be in in making this jump too? speaker-0: I think it's just with like recognizing stress. Like I mean, everyone who declared for the draft, you can tell it's stressful period of time. We don't really know what's going on with the league, if there's going to be expansion or how many. And I think just like taking into account account, like, all right, it's stressful. Just take a deep breath. Because right now, like nobody's playing hockey right now. So it's all out of our control at this point in time. So I think just remembering that. speaker-1: So when you think about your entire journey, so that goes all the way back, little Caesars, of course, we've talked about the impact that that's had, the impact of Holy Cross and in you understanding the the certainly the defensive side of the game, the offensive unlock that you saw at Colgate, how have these experiences and o off the ice, of course, as well, set you up or helped to set you up to take this next step? speaker-0: I think it's just like everything you learn. Like I mean, when you go from youth to college, you're leaving home for the first time. I had never left home before college. ⁓ and I think it's just kind of like, All right, this is happening and just go with the flow and things will happen how they're supposed to. And I think that's just kind of important to remember. And then also just like learned experiences, like everything you do is a life experience. And I think that's just important to recognize, especially th next step. Like now I won't be in university and a lot of things in university are Not given, but like you know where you're gonna live and stuff like that. So I think that's just important to note at every level. It just goes up a little bit, but it's gonna be okay. speaker-1: It's gonna be okay. It's gonna be okay. Yeah, you've got it. You've done this. You're fine. You're gonna be totally fine. what is it what is it gonna mean to you to be able to play in the professional, like to to to be playing professional hockey in this next step of your career? What is that gonna mean to you? Because, you know, when you first started, this wasn't an option as you'd mentioned, and now it is and you're on the verge of it. What does it mean? speaker-0: I mean, I like growing up, it was like, ⁓ I wanna play in the NHL and it's like, ⁓ you're a girl, like like it's not like that's not exactly going to happen, but that was always the goal. And then you go to college and you're like, Okay, like I wanna continue with hockey, but you don't really know what it is. And then all of a sudden it's like, okay, this league formed and it's huge. And ⁓ some of my friends and I, like the Colgate alum, ⁓ there was the PWHL game at Madison Square Garden and there was a huge like Colgate alumni event because there were so many in that game. And we all went down to and we're like, wow, we are at a sold out women's hockey game at Madison Square and this is unbelievable. And any one of us has the opportunity to play in this league. And I I think it was it was just like we were like, wow, so shocked that how big it's become and how awesome it is. Like I love it. speaker-1: Yeah, does it feel real that you're, you know, like you mentioned, you know, and there's T D garden, there's records being attendance records being broken consistently. I'm here in Ottawa. We just ⁓ the other day sold out the the T D place. That was the the largest crowd ever at that rink for there. so you're seeing these constant records being broken in terms of attendance and and passion and enthusiasm. Does it feel real that you're on the verge of it? Does it feel like do you feel any pressure or do you feel any You know, ⁓ it it's often the the the the conversation comes up about a responsibility to to carry that torch or to take that torch from the previous generation and ⁓ and and bring it into into your own. Do you feel anything like that? speaker-0: Honestly, it it quite frankly doesn't feel real, to be honest. ⁓ like it is unbelievable. It's been a dream of everyone's and I'm I mean, I was even my grandma came and visited last week and she was just talking to me. She's like, ⁓ like my granddaughter just declared for the TWHL draft and her friends at work were like, What? Like they were like, ⁓ my god, that is awesome. Like we are so happy that that is like an option and they they knew everything, they knew all the teams and my grandma was just kinda like, This is amazing. And in my head I'm like, wow, that actually is like really cool. And it's unbelievable that it is a reality like we can declare for this draft now. speaker-1: Hmm. ⁓ well, of course, I want to ask, you know, on draft night, you hear your name called, who do you think are gonna be some of those people that you think of in that moment as you you're, you know, you know, going up on stage or or however it ends up playing out, who are some of those people that you're gonna be thinking about as as the ones who really helped, you know, helped guide you, helped inspire you, helped maybe drive you to and from the ring. Something as literal as that. Who are some of those people ⁓ that you're gonna be thinking of on draft night? speaker-0: I think instantly my parents are going to be the first to they the commitment they put in with me and my brother and having to drive to Detroit from Port Huron. Like it's not a fun drive. It's very boring, frankly. And just all that time and effort they put into it and finally seeing like even just going to college. They were like, Wow, this is we're like very proud of you. And then obviously my grandparents like they love coming to just play hockey. I come from a hockey family. Everyone just wants to watch and My siblings too were very competitive with each other and growing up, whether it was me and my brother breaking the garage door from checking each other so hard into it or playing soccer with my sister in the backyard and throwing each other through the grass, like ⁓ thinking about all that stuff that has led to anything everything. speaker-1: Yeah, and the giant smile on your face as you're recalling those stories. That ⁓ that tells me how important those moments were for you for sure. ⁓ well, of course, good luck in that ⁓ that night. Of course, I'm gonna be cheering for you. And as you continue into your ⁓ professional career, we are going to wrap up today's episode with the final buzzer segment. It's a fun, rapid fireway. Really, I always say it. It's just mostly you can take as long as you want in answering the question. I'm just gonna try not to be Mr. Chatty Pants over here and ask a lot of follow up questions. That's really what this is about. ⁓ and a great way to continue getting to know you a little bit more. ⁓ we're gonna start with what is your go to pregame meal? speaker-0: big fan of a turkey sandwich, whether it's like Jimmy John's, Jersey Mike's, or the dining hall. speaker-1: Okay. I've only ever heard of one of those places, but that's okay. do you have a favorite way to reset after a game? speaker-0: ⁓ actually this year recently we started after like a fr say we lost on Friday, we'd go maybe get like ice cream at the local ⁓ convenience store. So that's a good way just to hang out after and not think about hockey. speaker-1: As soon as you started answering that, I was like, I hope this ends with them getting ice cream. So I'm glad that that's exactly how that happened. ⁓ what's one word that your teammates would use to describe you? speaker-0: ⁓ fingers crossed, I hope they would say I'm pretty funny. I think I'm funny, but I I'm kidding. ⁓ hopefully that, but I don't know if they would say that. speaker-1: Yeah, I I think they would. I think they would. ⁓ what's something that people may not know about you? speaker-0: I'm actually a huge history buff and I love like history movies or war movies. ⁓ just learning about that stuff is just so interesting to me. speaker-1: Okay, I I know that I said that I wasn't gonna ask any follow up questions. Inevitably it's gonna happen. Do you have like I'm not gonna say an all time favorite because it might be a little bit difficult unless you do know exactly what your all time favorite movie is, ⁓ history movie. But do you have like a have you ever thought of like a top three event? speaker-0: The top three, I definitely think Fury, ⁓ the tank movie is way up there. Quiet on the Western Front is also very good. speaker-1: Okay, good choices. Okay. Nice. Okay. I want to know as well as we wrap up, if, you know, you've had so much success over your career. And now, you know, when you think about again, Little Caesars, Holy Cross, Colgate, now with this exciting next chapter of your career, thinking back to your younger self, what do you think you would tell her about that journey that she's about to embark on? speaker-0: I think I would just tell myself everything happens for a reason and everyone's path is different. So don't compare yourself because it like your path is going to be different than everyone's. So speaker-1: I love that because it's advice that anyone can use anywhere in life. So it's very universal. I appreciate that. ⁓ and that wraps up the final buzzer segment of the show as well as today's episode. Casey, I just want to say again, thank you so much for taking the time to join the show, share your story. This has been an absolute blast. It's easy to root for you. It's been easy to root for you throughout your career. It's certainly gonna be easy to root for you on draft night. And into the PWHL. I can't wait to cheer you on. Thank you so much and good luck as you embark on the next chapter. speaker-0: Thank you for having me. This was fun. speaker-1: 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 Casey's 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 Ringside Runday.