University of Connecticut Athletics
Snodgrass Reflects on US National Team Camp
11/16/2020 10:22:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
by Danny Barletta
UConn women's hockey senior captain Natalie Snodgrass was one of the 53 players invited to the U.S. Women's National Team Evaluation Camp from Oct. 25-31. The camp was held to evaluate players for the selection of a national team to represent the United States in the 2021 IIHF Women's World Championship in Nova Scotia.
The camp was held at the National Sports Center in Snodgrass' home state of Minnesota, which was a treat for her.
"Having the camp in Minnesota was super fortunate for me, obviously being from there," Snodgrass said. "I was super familiar with the rink, location and everything like that, so that aspect gave me some comfort instead of going in blind somewhere, which can always be a little stressful. Also, this camp was originally supposed to be in August, but having it in October and during the craziness of COVID, I felt extremely lucky to be going home for a week. I got to see my family for just a couple hours out of the whole process which made it so worth it, considering I don't know the next time I'll be home."
At the camp, Snodgrass was among the best women's hockey players in the country, which she said is something that is always an honor whenever she competes with Team USA.
"It is incredibly humbling to be considered one of the top players in the nation, especially when the player pool is at such a high caliber level as it is right now," Snodgrass said. "There is always an opportunity to learn from the older players and veterans, and even from the younger girls that get invited as well. The competition is always so high and brings out a different side in players that you normally aren't used to on our regular teams."
Snodgrass has done a lot of work with Team USA in the past, participating in a couple of Under-18 World Championships when she was in high school and a pair of Under-22 Series in 2018 and 2019. She said this camp was different though, because there wasn't an immediate team to make at the end of the week. It was truly a skills showcase, and Snodgrass felt she did well.
"I think there was definitely some rust to knock off at the beginning due to COVID not allowing some of us to play a game in over eight months," Snodgrass said. "But I think that quickly went away and natural tendencies came back. At the end of the day, I worked hard and left with no regrets."
As stated before, the camp was full of the brightest stars in women's hockey, including a bunch of Olympic gold medalists from the 2018 national team. But there was one player in particular that Snodgrass was really looking forward to competing with.
"I was really excited to play against Brianna Decker," Snodgrass said. "I look up to her as a veteran player as well as a mentor, and I think we have pretty similar styles of play. I actually got to go against her in the face-off circle in one of the games since we were both center. It was definitely intense and felt like a legit battle every time. She handed me my fair share of losses, but I got her back a few times as well and we laughed about it after."
Snodgrass said the camp was an awesome experience, and while she obviously hopes to earn a spot on such an elite team, with her UConn season starting up next week, it's not the first thing on her mind right now.
"I think the feedback I received at the end of the camp was positive, and I know what to work towards for this season," Snodgrass said. "At the end of the day, the World Championships are after the Hockey East playoffs, which is my first concern."
However, she would definitely be honored to be a part of the Women's National Team in its quest for another gold medal next April.
"It would be a testament to my teammates and coaches, as they are the ones that have shaped me into the player I am today," Snodgrass said. "I would love to represent my country at one of the highest stages in the sport, but also to represent everyone else who has helped me along the way to get there."
