Badgering: Kristen Campbell
October 18, 2017 | Women's Hockey, Andy Baggot, Varsity Magazine
After transferring from North Dakota, sophomore goaltender shares how she’s fitting in as a new Badger and adjusting to Madison
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BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — When North Dakota abruptly dropped its women's hockey program after last season, goaltender Kristen Campbell was among those cast into limbo. She eventually landed on her feet at Wisconsin where she's not only prospered, she's been one of the biggest reasons why the top-ranked Badgers are unbeaten heading into a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series with Bemidji State at LaBahn Arena on Friday and Saturday. Campbell, a sophomore from Brandon, Manitoba, has started every game and is 8-0 with a 0.88 goals-against average and 95.1 save percentage thus far. She spoke earlier this week about her inspirations, a rule change she'd make in women's hockey and what makes Wisconsin coach Mark Johnson different from others she's had:
If you came with a warning label, what would it say?
"Quiet, but crazy."
Read the 5?? things you need to know before the #Badgers take on Bemidji State in Madison!
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerWHockey) Oct. 18, 2017
How would your teammates know if you're superstitious?
"I follow the same (pattern) when I put on my gear. If they watched my pregame routine, they might find me doing the same things before every game."
What's the key to fitting in at a new place?
"Just be yourself. Treat it as a new opportunity."
Looking for a way to improve your Monday? Check out this video featuring #Badgers, hockey and dogs!
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerWHockey) Oct. 16, 2017
What's been the biggest challenge to making the transition from North Dakota to Wisconsin?
"Just the new pattern of living. It's a bigger campus — lots of people — four times the size of what I'm used to. That's the biggest change. But it's been a smooth transition."
How is Mark Johnson different from other coaches you've had?
"I think he's amazing just how he goes about his business. He's very structured. He really knows what he's doing. I'm really enjoying that."
The #Badgers are still No. 1 in the latest @USCHO poll! #OnWisconsin
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerWHockey) Oct. 16, 2017
What points did the North Dakota coaches stress before playing a series against the Badgers?
"I remember them saying that in the neutral zone it's always going to be fast, so just try to get the puck in their zone and play as little as we can in our zone. That's pretty difficult to do."
What hockey rule would you change if you had the power?
"A different rule for overtime and shootouts. I'd go right to shootouts."
Who's the most inspiring person you know?
"I'd say the Lamoureux twins (two-time U.S. Olympians Monique and Jocelyne) who I trained with back at North Dakota. Just watching them day in and day out going about their business, it's something to aspire towards."
Is there anything you miss about Grand Forks?
"It was really small. You'd run into people you knew all the time because it was so tiny. There's a lot more to do in Madison, though.
Who's the North Dakota teammate you miss the most?
Abbey Stanley. She was my roommate and best friend. She's now at Boston University."
