“The PWHL has grown the game so much,” says King. “It not only gives young girls something to aspire to but also offers college players the chance at a professional career.” She points out that social media has been instrumental in increasing the visibility of women’s hockey, making it easier for fans to connect with the sport. “People love women’s sports—they just need a reminder that it’s out there,” King adds.
When Olivia first started playing college hockey, she faced challenges adjusting to the fast pace and unfamiliar faces. “I was super intimidated! Getting recruited so late into my senior year, I didn’t know any of my teammates, and the pace was much faster. It was definitely a learning curve,” she recalls. But over time, Olivia formed strong bonds with her coaches and teammates, which not only helped her adjust to the fast pace but also deepened her appreciation for the privilege of competing at the Division I level.
As women’s hockey grows, so does the level of competition in the collegiate ranks. King notes that while the game has always been skillful, the level of physicality has increased during her college career. This mirrors the rise in visibility of professional opportunities, like the PWHL, which is inspiring young players to dream big about their futures in the game. With the rise of the PWHL, there are now more pathways than ever for young girls to progress from youth hockey to college and beyond—giving them the opportunity to envision a future where they can make a living from the sport.
Although professional women’s hockey wasn’t as visible when Olivia was growing up, she found role models who inspired her journey. “I looked up to Noora Raty when I was a kid! She was a Gopher, Olympian, and pro hockey player. She is a similar size to me, so it was cool to see a goalie who competed at the highest level when having big goalies was so popular for a minute,” said King.
As Hockey Day Minnesota approaches, Olivia will return to her roots in Brainerd. Though she hasn’t played for the Warriors in some time, she will be a part of the event in two exciting ways: first, by joining Luke and me in the broadcast booth on Thursday to call the Warriors’ game against Shakopee, and second, by hitting the ice with the Gophers on Saturday as they face my alma mater, Bemidji State.
Olivia’s journey from the Brainerd Warriors to the University of Minnesota exemplifies the growth of women’s hockey on a broader stage, and we’re thrilled to have her involved in Hockey Day Minnesota!
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