Vivianne Helquist '21 Recruiting Profile

Dear Coaches, 

I've wanted to play college hockey since 2011 when I first saw the UMD Bulldogs play. Watching them win the national championship really opened my eyes to the hockey world, and ever since I've been in love. At the time I was an eight year old dancer who didn't know what hockey was. It was the team spirit  and leadership that grabbed attention first. I was in awe at hard these hockey players worked while balancing college, and having a social life. With them having won the national championship with hard work it inspired me. It made me want to do the same thing. My love for hockey is endless and is something I want to continue as I work for my degree. 

    Growing up playing three sports and constantly being away for hockey tournaments has given me an inside view of what it's like to balance the hardships that come from academics, practices, games, and travel. Throughout middle school and my freshman year I maintained a 4.0 GPA at Proctor Senior High, where I was also in Honors English. My leadership skills, organization, positive attitude, and work ethic are characteristics my teachers and coaches have often commented on. 

    Something that makes me different from others is my genuine love of the game and my ability to take control of the game, or emotions that are in it. No matter what the score is you always find and hear me from the net encouraging my teammates, or trying to switch the mood with my positive attitude. Of course it's important to win games, but there are teams that are better, stronger, and faster than you. It's against those teams were you look at the values/lessons and ask yourself if you played your best, if you gave your teammates the respect and attitude they deserve, if you played as a team and not an individual even if you lose. Encouragement, respect, and support are three things you should always give teammates. Positivity, respect, and hard work is what you should always give to your team and coaches. I think that if you want to play hockey at the next level, your skills always will be improving, but if your attitude and respect for teammates and coaches isn't consistent your not ready, even with improving skills.  

    I've been lucky enough to go to three youth Minnesota State Tournaments. One at the u12A level, and two at the u15A level. At the 2018 u15A tournament we took second place. Those experiences are some of the best times of my life and effort put forth in the game. The feeling that I had when stepping on to the ice in those games is only a taste of what I hope to experience in the fall of 2021 surrounded by teammates, coaches, and fans. I've been selected twice for CCM's High Performance Program, and have attended the Dave Peterson's Goalie Camp in St. Cloud, Minnesota. I was also on the Blue Ox CCM Tier 1 team. From every camp and team that I've been a part of, I've taken their advice to continue to better myself. It's from their help and guidance that has helped shape me into the goalie I want to be, and that I will continue to be. As I move forward with my academic and athletic goals I am fully committed to being a strong contributor and leader for my coaches and teammates. When I leave whatever college I attend, I hope to leave as an alumni knowing that my coaches and teachers are proud of the person I became. And as a person who takes work ethic on and off the ice very seriously I look forward to my future career and well beyond it.