Natalie Darwitz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Natalie Darwitz
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2024
Darwitz with the US national team in 2010
Born	(1983-10-13) October 13, 1983 (age 41) Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Height	5 ft 3 in (160 cm)
Weight	135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
Position	Forward
Shot	Right
Played for	University of Minnesota Minnesota Whitecaps
Coached for	Hamline University University of Minnesota
National team	United States
Playing career	1998–2010
Coaching career	2007–2023
Medal record Representing  United States Women's ice hockey Olympic Games Silver 2002 Salt Lake City Tournament Silver 2010 Vancouver Tournament Bronze 2006 Turin Tournament World Championship Gold 2005 Sweden Tournament Gold 2008 China Tournament Gold 2009 Finland Tournament Silver 1999 Finland Tournament Silver 2000 Canada Tournament Silver 2001 United States Tournament Silver 2004 Canada Tournament Silver 2007 Canada Tournament 4 Nations Cup Gold 2003 Sweden Tournament Gold 2008 United States Tournament Silver 1998 Finland Tournament Silver 1999 Canada Tournament Silver 2000 United States Tournament Silver 2002 Canada Tournament Silver 2004 United States Tournament Silver 2005 Finland Tournament Silver 2006 Canada Tournament Silver 2007 Sweden Tournament

Natalie Rose Darwitz (born October 13, 1983) is an American ice hockey star. She is a former player and coach, and now works as an executive. Most recently, she was the general manager for a new women's hockey team, PWHL Minnesota, in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).

Natalie was a key player for the US national ice hockey team for more than ten years. She even served as the team's captain for several seasons, starting in 2007–08. She won many awards during her playing career, including three gold medals at the World Championships and Olympic silver and bronze medals. Natalie was even added to the Hockey Hall of Fame and the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2024!

Natalie Darwitz's Ice Hockey Journey

Natalie Darwitz started skating when she was five years old. She went to Eagan High School and then became a big part of the US National Team for ten years.

Playing for Team USA

She played in two Winter Olympics. In the 2002 Olympics, she scored the most goals in the tournament. In the 2006 Games, she made the winning pass that helped her team win the bronze medal.

At the 2008 World Championships, Natalie scored the most points. The International Ice Hockey Federation even named her the Best Forward in the World! She also received the Bob Johnson Award from USA Hockey, which is given to the best American player in international games.

In the 2009 IIHF tournament, Natalie was the second-highest scorer with 10 points.

College and Professional Career

During her three years playing college hockey at the University of Minnesota, she helped her team win two national championships in a row. In her final college game, she scored the winning goal with just over a minute left! She was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Frozen Four and the US Women's Player of the Year. She also played in three more IIHF World Women's Championships during this time.

After college, Natalie played for the Minnesota Whitecaps in the Western Women's Hockey League.

Coaching and Management Roles

In August 2008, Natalie became an assistant coach for the University of Minnesota's women's ice hockey team. She later left to play full-time for the US National Team again.

On August 2, 2011, she became the head coach for the girls' ice hockey team at Lakeville South High School. Her team had great seasons, finishing with records of 21–1–6 in 2011–12 and 16–2–9 in 2012–13.

From 2015 to 2021, she was the head coach for the Hamline University women's ice hockey team. In the 2017–18 season, her team made it to the Frozen Four and finished 3rd in the country! On July 29, 2021, she returned to her old college team, the University of Minnesota, as an assistant coach.

On June 7, 2023, Natalie was announced as a co-head coach for the Hill-Murray women's hockey team.

On September 1, 2023, the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) announced that Natalie Darwitz would be the general manager for the new PWHL Minnesota team. Under her leadership, PWHL Minnesota won the league's first championship! Natalie and PWHL Minnesota later went separate ways in June 2024.

Natalie's Family Life

Natalie has two siblings. Her parents are Scott and Nancy.

Natalie Darwitz's Awards and Honors

• 2002 Winter Olympic All Tournament Team – chosen by the International Ice Hockey Federation.
• 2005 Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year Award – given by USA Hockey.
• 2005 NCAA Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player.
• Named to the WCHA Team of the Decade (2000s).
• 2024 Inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame as a player.
• 2024 Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a player.

Career Statistics

International Games

Year	Team	Event	Result	GP	G	A	Pts
1999	United States	WWC		5	2	1	3
2000	United States	WWC		5	2	6	8
2001	United States	WWC		5	3	1	4
2002	United States	OG		5	7	1	8
2004	United States	WWC		5	7	3	10
2005	United States	WWC		5	2	2	4
2006	United States	OG		5	3	3	6
2007	United States	WWC		5	4	5	9
2008	United States	WWC		5	6	4	10
2009	United States	WWC		5	3	7	10
International Totals				50	39	33	72

College Games

Professional Games