Canadian dream comes true for Krzyzaniak

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This article was published 18/03/2015 (4082 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

One of Halli Krzyzaniak’s lifelong dreams is now a reality.

Last Thursday, the Neepawa defenceman was named to the Canadian team that will compete at the women’s world hockey championship in Malmö, Sweden, from

March 28 to April 4.

Relief and elation coursed through her as head coach Doug Derraugh told her she secured a spot.

“You hear those words ‘Congrats. You made it. You’re going to Sweden,’ and it really is surreal to say I’ve accomplished something that I’ve been working towards for basically my whole career,” the 5-foot-8, 150-pound 20-year-old said. “I’m really excited for the opportunity to play for my country at that level.”

Krzyzaniak just wrapped up her second season with the University of North Dakota in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, where she was named to the all-WCHA third team while posting two goals and 11 assists in 34 games.

UND narrowly missed the NCAA tournament for the second season in a row. The team struggled out of the gate before having a strong second half to finish the season with a 22-12-3 record.

While it’s not the result the biology and pre-health student wanted, one bright spot is that the school is sending nine current, former and recruited players to the championship in Sweden.

Krzyzaniak will suit up against Germany’s Tanja Eisenschmid, Sweden’s Johanna Fallman and Finland’s Michelle Karvinen — three players she’s played with at UND. The team’s athletic therapist, Jocelyne Lamoureaux, will also lace up her skates for Team USA.

“There has definitely been some playful trash-talking, but it’s all in good fun,” Krzyzaniak said.

During her two trips to the under-18 worlds, Krzyzaniak twice faced the Americans in finals, winning both games.

Canada and the United States have battled for hockey supremacy in nearly every world championship since the beginning of international play, but the rivalry might have hit a new level after Team Canada snatched the goal medal away from the Americans at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Krzyzaniak said big-time players relish the opportunity to play in such an historic clash.

“It’s definitely intense,” Krzyzaniak said, “and it’s one of the youngest rosters we’ve ever sent but I think we’re ready to prove ourselves.”

Meanwhile, Team Canada, which also includes assistant coach Dwayne Gylywoychuk of Brandon, will send 10 players who are competing in their first women’s world championship as talent evaluators begin to set their sights on what the team will look like for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Krzyzaniak is staying focused on her job in Sweden, but admits it’s tough not to imagine getting a chance to play for Canada on the biggest stage.

“It runs in four-year cycles and to be part of this cycle is something amazing and that I’m potentially on the right path to achieving that goal as well,” she said. “It justifies all the hours I’ve put in the weight room and in practices getting to this level.”

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