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 executive, coach, and retired player, most recently serving as general manager of PWHL Minnesota in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).

Darwitz was a member of the US national ice hockey team for more than a decade and served as team captain for several seasons, beginning with the 2007–08 season. Her decorated playing career was highlighted by three world championship gold medals, two Olympic silver medals, and an Olympic bronze medal. She was inducted in the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2024.

Career biography

Darwitz began skating at the age of five, and attended Eagan High School. From there, she was a veteran of ten years on the US National Team. She competed in two Olympics, leading the 2002 Olympics in goal scoring and scoring the game-winning assist in the bronze-medal game in the 2006 Games. In three years of NCAA Hockey at her alma mater, Minnesota, she won back-to-back national championships, scored the championship goal in her final game with 1:08 to go versus Harvard (4–3), won the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA women's ice hockey tournament Frozen Four, was named US Women's Player of the Year, and competed in an additional three IIHF Women's World Championship.

At the 2008 Worlds, Darwitz led the tournament in scoring and was named the Best Forward in the World by the International Ice Hockey Federation. She was also awarded the Bob Johnson Award by USA Hockey as the best male or female player representing the United States in international play.

In August 2008, Darwitz was named assistant coach of her alma mater, the University of Minnesota's, women's ice hockey team. At the conclusion of the 08–09 NCAA campaign, she left to return as a full-time member of the US National Team.

Darwitz was the second leading scorer at the 2009 IIHF tournament with 10 points (three goals, seven assists).

On August 2, 2011, she announced her new position as the head coach of the Lakeville South High School girls' ice hockey team. The Lakeville South Cougars finished the 2011/2012 season with a record of 21–1–6. and the 2012/2013 season with a record of 16–2–9.

From the 2015–16 through 2020–21 seasons, she served as the head coach of the Hamline University women's ice hockey team. They finished the 2017–18 season by going to the Frozen Four and placing 3rd in the nation. On July 29, 2021, she was hired as an assistant coach for her alma mater, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey team.

On June 7, 2023, she was announced as co-head coach of the Hill-Murray women's hockey team, along with Jake Bobrowski.

On September 1, 2023, the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) announced that Darwitz would be the general manager for the new PWHL Minnesota team. Darwitz and PWHL Minnesota parted ways in June 2024, shortly after winning the league's inaugural championship.

Personal life

Darwitz has two siblings, her parents are Scott and Nancy.

Accomplishments

• 2002 Winter Olympic All Tournament Team – voted on by the International Ice Hockey Federation
• 2005 Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year Award – awarded by USA Hockey
• 2005 NCAA Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player
• WCHA Team of the Decade (2000s)
• 2024 Inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame as a player, during the medal ceremony of the 2024 IIHF World Championship.

Career statistics

International

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

Collegiate

Professional