Danielle Serdachny was the No. 2 overall pick in the PWHL draft this summer.
And that was likely just the second-biggest moment of her year.
Who can forget her Golden Goal that gave Canada the gold medal over the U.S. in overtime at the world championship in Utica?
Serdachny was picked in the draft by Ottawa and, while she has yet to actually step foot in Ottawa proper, that is coming up very soon with training camps in the PWHL opening Nov. 12.
The Charge is a perfect landing spot for the young power forward. The team is coached by Carla MacLeod, who coached Team Alberta at the Canada Winter Games back when Serdachny, an Edmonton native, was still in high school. Ottawa also is home to the familiar faces of her national team teammates like Brianne Jenner, Emily Clark, Emerance Maschmeyer and Ashton Bell.
Serdachny is a 5-foot-9 power forward who is going to slide right into a scoring role alongside the likes of Jenner, Clarke and most importantly filling the void left by Daryl Watts, who is now a member of the Toronto Sceptres.
We talked with Serdachny from her Edmonton home on Friday:
FIRST OTTAWA TEAMMATE TO REACH OUT TO YOU AFTER YOU WERE DRAFTED
“I honestly don’t know. I want to say, probably, Brianne Jenner, but there were also a few girls at the draft as well.”
HOW MUCH OF YEAR 1 OF THE PWHL DID YOU WATCH?
“Quite a bit, honestly. The timing of the games was pretty good for us college kids. Definitely tried to throw it on whenever I got the opportunity.”
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS OF THE LEAGUE?
“It was pretty surprising, but in a good way and I think part of that was because of the crowds the league brought in and the excitement around it. Watching the best players in the world play with and against one another really impressed me.”
BIGGEST ADJUSTMENT YOU FORSEE FOR YOUR OWN GAME IN YEAR 1?
“I would say it’s just going to be the timing. Every time you move up a level the speed and everything else Is that much quicker so that on top of the physicality will be the biggest adjustment coming from college.”
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PHYSICALITY?
“Yeah, I actually played boys’ hockey up until Grade 10 so I’m kind of used to getting cranked into the boards so it shouldn’t be anything too crazy hopefully.”
FAVOURITE JUNK FOOD
“I definitely like Dairy Queen Cookie Dough Blizzards because they are kind of my favourite. I’m not going every day, but if I crave one I’ll probably go get one.”
ONE WORD THAT BEST SUMS UP CARLA MACLEOD?
“I’d say ‘passionate.’ In my Grade 12 year for Canada Winter Games we knew each other decently well at that point so I feel like just being able to have a mentor and coach in one was pretty special for me, especially coming from Alberta like I do. There’s not many Team Canada players that come from Alberta, so having someone in that position I think was very helpful for me.”
AT WHAT AGE DID HOCKEY GET REALLY SERIOUS FOR YOU?
“As far as serious I would probably say bantam or what they call U15 now. I think I always took it seriously growing up but that was when I started thinking I wanted it to be part of my future. It’s kind of the age where committing to college and exploring those opportunities comes about so, I would say that age.”
DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH MARIE-PHILIP POULIN.
“I just remember how welcoming she was for me in my first Rivalry series. She never took anything too seriously and kept it pretty light, which was important for me and something I really remember because I’m kind of a sarcastic person so just being able to be my kind of authentic self in that environment with the best player in the world was pretty awesome.”
OUTSIDE OF YOUR OTTAWA TEAMMATES AND ALL YOUR NATIONAL TEAM TEAMMATES, WHO ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYING AGAINST?
“Hmmm, that’s a tough one. I feel like there’s a lot of European players I am excited to meet, but as far as playing against on this stage, it’s probably Hillary Knight. She’s another player (like Poulin) who people grew up watching and kind of idolizing so to get to play against her in this new league is going to be kind of surreal for me.”
WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION THE MOMENT NATIONAL TEAM HEAD COACH TROY RYAN SENT YOU OUT IN OVERTIME AGAINST THE AMERICANS FOR YOUR EVENTUAL GOLDEN GOAL?
“I would say it was definitely a surprise, especially being a newer player on the team. You are kind of just willing to do anything to help the team out, so when he called my name it was definitely like ‘Oh damn. You gotta prepare for this one.’ So yeah, a lot of nerves and excitement.”
THE PERSON WHO HAS HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOUR CAREER?
“I would just say both my parents. They both played different roles in my life as far as the parent role and also hockey, but honestly without either of them, I don’t think I would be where I am today. Just the endless love and support they have given me and the endless belief as well. It really brought me forward in both good in bad times.”
BEST HOLIDAY YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN?
“We have been pretty fortunate. We are a family of six so we kind of try and get out on vacation together every year if possible. So, we’ve been on a few cruises, but I think one special one for me was last year. We went with our extended families, cousins and aunties and uncles. My grandma came along too and we all went on a Hawaiian cruise. That one was special.”
MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT IN HOCKEY?
“I think when I played boys’ Bantam AAA, we lost to a team 19-1. That one always comes to mind because at that age getting scored on 19 times is tough. That’s definitely up there.” (Sherwood Park was the opposition)
COOLEST ARENA YOU HAVE PLAYED IN?
Playing at Colgate we were very fortunate with the setup we had there. I definitely loved at that rink, (Class of 1965 Arena) but as far as other places, I had a really good time playing, and I don’t know the exact name, but the L.A. Kings arena for one of the Rivalry series games. I think that was kind of surreal moment. Just being able to play in an NHL rink.” (formerly the Staples Centre, now Crypto.com Arena.”
WHAT DOES A GOOD FIRST SEASON IN THE PWHL LOOK LIKE FOR DANIELLE SERDACHNY?
“I think for me what comes to mind is just the impact. I just want to make an impact any way I can whether that’s on the ice or off the ice in the community. I just think we have these platforms now to inspire and hopefully encourage young girls and young boys to pursue their dreams and do what they love, so I think that is something that is going to be important to me. Obviously with hockey there is a lot you can’t control on the ice, but how you carry yourself as a person and the impact and ability you have to inspire others is within your control.”
BEST LIVE SPORTING EVENT YOU HAVE EVER WITNESSED IN PERSON?
“I would say Game 6 of last year’s Stanley Cup final in Edmonton. I went to Game 7 and, if the result was a bit different I would say both, but I think Game 6 was pretty incredible. The place was just electric. It was a good time to be in Edmonton.”
HOW MANY HOURS OF SLEEP DO YOU NEED TO BE AT YOUR BEST?
“To be at my best, I would say 7-ish? I probably average between six or seven which might not be a lot for an athlete, but I feel like I’ve never been a great sleeper. Kind of through college I learned to live with it.”
IF NOT HOCKEY, WHAT SPORT WOULD YOU BE PLAYING RIGHT NOW?
“As far as talent-wise, I am not exactly sure, but if it were strictly up to me, I would probably want to be a basketball player. What they have going too is really impressive. I played a bit growing up and I did really enjoy it.”
FAVOURITE PRE-GAME MEAL?
“I would say just rice and some sort of chicken. I’m not too picky. I like to keep it pretty simple.”
BIGGEST SUPERSTITION IF YOU HAVE ANY?
“Not too superstitious. It’s not really a superstition, but I like to keep it light and have fun before the games whether that’s a game of spike ball or soccer or whatever.”