(Courtesy: Callie Else)
Fridley, Minn. and Tempe, Ariz. are not only vastly different weather and climate wise, but even hockey feels a little bit different.
Freshman Callie Else is currently making that transition of playing hockey in a state dubbed “The State of Hockey,” to playing under the hot, desert sun.
“Playing hockey in Minnesota is a big part of the culture there,” Else said. “Everybody I knew played and both of my brothers played. We would just go outside and play pond hockey all the time. So it’s a big part of my family and childhood being able to skate all the time during the winter.”
Else credits her love for hockey to her brothers.
“They were the ones that convinced me to try out for hockey,” Else said. “I started out figure skating and then, in the second grade, I switched over. I was never very girly growing up, and my brothers were like ‘This seems like a better fit for you.’ So, I would get dragged out to their games and practices. Being able to play with them all the time has been a bonding moment for us.”
The differences in hockey terminology has also become a surprise aspect that Else has had to get used to.
“First and foremost, we call [hockey pants] breezers in Minnesota, but they call them pants here,” Else said. “That’s the weirdest thing to me. There’s a little bit of that lingo change.”
Else chose to bring her talents to Arizona State for a few reasons. Having family in the Valley was one of them.
“I have family in Scottsdale here, so I had that connection,” Else said. “I’ve been down here a lot. I found out we have hockey here and was like ‘Oh, maybe I’ll check it out.’”
It didn’t take long for Else to make up her mind to come to ASU.
“I came to the prospects camp, ended up loving the team and the school,” Else said. “I love the culture down here and being able to build the program and be part of that legacy.”
But due to COVID-19, normal team bonding hasn’t been the same as it would normally be any other year.
“During quarantine, we would all hop on Zoom and do team workouts.” Else said. “We got to know each other and added each other on social media.”
Hockey has served as an escape for Else since she started playing in the second grade, and she’ll look to her new Sun Devil teammates to continue to help foster her love of the game.
“When I step out on the ice, everything washes away. You just kind of zone out and forget everything in the outside world. It’s just a place where I can go and be uniquely me.”
