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 on October 13, 1983, is a famous American ice hockey player who is now a coach and manager. She used to be the general manager for PWHL Minnesota in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).

She played for the U.S. national ice hockey team for over ten years. She was even the team's captain starting in the 2007–08 season. Natalie had an amazing playing career. She won three gold medals at the World Championships. She also earned two silver medals and one bronze medal at the Olympics. In 2024, Natalie Darwitz was honored by being added to both the Hockey Hall of Fame and the IIHF Hall of Fame.

Natalie Darwitz's Ice Hockey Career

Playing Career Highlights

Natalie Darwitz started skating when she was just five years old. She went to Eagan High School before joining the U.S. National Team. She played for the national team for ten years.

She competed in two Olympic Games. In the 2002 Olympics, she scored the most goals in the tournament. At the 2006 Games, she made the game-winning assist that helped her team win the bronze medal.

While playing NCAA hockey for the University of Minnesota, she won two national championships in a row. In her last game, she scored the winning goal with only 1 minute and 8 seconds left. She was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Frozen Four. She also won the US Women's Player of the Year award.

Natalie also played in three more World Championships. At the 2008 Worlds, she was the top scorer. The International Ice Hockey Federation named her the Best Forward in the World. She also received the Bob Johnson Award from USA Hockey. This award goes to the best American player in international games. In the 2009 IIHF tournament, she was the second-highest scorer with 10 points.

Coaching Career

In August 2008, Natalie Darwitz became an assistant coach for her old team, the University of Minnesota women's ice hockey team. After the 2008–09 NCAA season, she left to play full-time for the U.S. National Team again.

On August 2, 2011, she became the head coach for the Lakeville South High School girls' ice hockey team. Her team had a great record of 21 wins, 1 loss, and 6 ties in the 2011–12 season. The next season, 2012–13, they finished with 16 wins, 2 losses, and 9 ties.

From the 2015–16 season to 2020–21, 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 the University of Minnesota as an assistant coach.

On June 7, 2023, she was announced as a co-head coach for the Hill-Murray women's hockey team. She coached alongside Jake Bobrowski.

Managing Role

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. She helped lead the team to win the league's first championship. Natalie Darwitz and PWHL Minnesota decided to part ways in June 2024.

Personal Life

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

Major Accomplishments

• 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 on November 11, 2024.

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