BADGERING...
SOPHIA SHAVER
The top-ranked Wisconsin women’s hockey team has surprised a lot of observers this season, winning its third straight Western Collegiate Hockey Association title despite a roster dominated by eight freshmen and 16 underclassmen. Sophia Shaver, a junior center from Wayzata, Minnesota, has emerged as one of the Badgers’ leaders on and off the ice. She has career-best 12 goals and 24 points heading into the final series of the regular season Friday and Saturday vs. Minnesota at LaBahn Arena. Shaver took a moment after practice this week to identify the most impressive teammate in the weight room, her hockey pet peeve and the UW student-athlete she’d like to trade places with for a day. BY ANDY BAGGOT ▪ UWBADGERS.COM INSIDER
What’s the first piece of advice you’d give to your 10-year-old hockey-playing self? “I’d say, ‘Have fun with it every day.’ I used to get super serious with hockey. Once I realized to just go out there and have fun I started playing well and enjoying hockey again.” The best WCHA road trip? “It’s definitely Minnesota. That’s where I grew up and all my family and friends get to come and watch.” If you could trade places with any other UW student-athlete for a day, who would it be? “I would say Brad Davison. He seems like the nicest guy and everyone loves him so much and he’s an amazing basketball player, too.” Do you have a hockey-related pet peeve? “Not back-checking.” You have to flee your dorm room in an emergency and can take one thing with you. What is it? “The easy one to say is my phone, but I have a pet bunny, so I should probably take my bunny.” Who’s the most impressive teammate in the weight room? “Alexis Mauermann again. She’s short in stature, but she’s a beast in the weight room.” DAVID STLUKA
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