Starting with the 2017-18 season, the Trine Thunder will launch Indiana’s first collegiate women’s ice hockey program.   Since being tabbed as the team’s first Head Coach, Tom Hofman has been racking up the miles on the recruiting trail.  Amidst the cheap hotels and concession stand hot dogs, Hofman has been quietly laying the foundation for next season and years to come.

While we certainly don’t want to steal his thunder (pun intended) and spoil the unveiling of the inaugural class, Hofman was kind enough to throw us a bone and introduce us to one of his local commits:  Bailey Goodwin.  An alumni of the Fort Wayne Jr. Komets organization and a 2016 graduate from Carroll High School, Goodwin is an adaptable and highly skilled player capable of filling multiple roles on the ice.  According to her former coach Roy Davis, Goodwin is a “quiet but feisty” defensemen, a leader in the locker room, and the type of player every coach dreams of.  “Bailey works hard at everything she does,” says Davis.  “She’s a hard-nosed player, and very attentive to her coaches.  She’s going to do quite well in college.”

INHockey.net caught up with Goodwin via email for a quick Q&A to get her take on youth hockey in Indiana, her decision to join the Thunder, and her future.

INHockey.net:   Bailey, thanks for agreeing to talk with us.  We were thrilled when Coach Hofman mentioned that you’d be open to an interview.

Bailey Goodwin:  Thank you for reaching out.  I’m excited for the opportunity.

INHockey.net:   Let’s get to know you a bit first.  When did you start playing hockey?

Goodwin:  I wasn’t like most kids who were on skates at age 2.  I started a little late at the age of 8.

INHockey.net:   That must have been a bit challenging.  What was it like playing as a youngster in Indiana?

Goodwin:  There was one girls program in Fort Wayne, but most of the girls on the team were a lot older than me.  I grew up playing boys hockey because it was all that was offered at the time.

INHockey.net:   What attracted you to hockey in the first place?

Goodwin:  We went to a few Komets games when I was growing up.  My parents took my sister and I to one of the games and I was hooked immediately.  My dad played hockey growing up as well, but he never really thought I’d want to play too.

INHockey.net:   Did you play any other sports growing up?

Goodwin:  I played basketball and ran cross country and track, but hockey was my main focus.

INHockey.net:   What was it about hockey that appealed to you?

Goodwin:  One of the things I enjoyed about hockey was being able to travel to so many different rinks and the people I met along the way.  I loved the different rinks.  The atmosphere of each one was unique and different in some way.

INHockey.net:   One of your former coaches, Roy Davis, mentioned that you can play just about any position on the ice.  Which one is your favorite?

Goodwin:  I play defense.  I can’t stand playing forward.  If I’m put in a position to play forward, I always find myself resorting back to defense and not playing the forward position.

INHockey.net:   Although women’s hockey is growing rapidly, it still remains a male-dominated sport (at least in terms of participation).  Playing hockey with the boys growing up must have been challenging at times.  Who were some of the people who inspired or encouraged you to keep going?

Goodwin:  If I could name every person individually who inspired me or encouraged me, it would fill a book.  The first two people would have to be my parents.  They have always pushed me and supported me, along with traveling with me to every game no matter the distance.   I can’t thank them enough.  The multiple coaches I’ve had along the way have been amazing and I’ve looked up to many of them.  And my sister, who also plays hockey, has always been there not only to compete against me, but to encourage me.

INHockey.net:   Your sister?  You mean there’s another Goodwin girl out on the ice?

Goodwin:  Yes.  We’re about three years apart - she’s the older one.  I think the age gap between us is ideal.  We both know how to push and motivate one another and we’re really close.  We have our typical arguments as any sisters would, but we also know how to get along.  It’s a blast to play hockey with her and against her.

INHockey.net:   Let’s talk about Trine University for a minute.  What was it that first interested you?

Goodwin:  I never really knew a whole lot about Trine, besides that it was called Tri-State at one time.  I heard about the women’s hockey program when it was first announced and immediately became interested.  Having a university with my major and hockey, along with it being decently close to home was everything I could ask for.

INHockey.net:   Did you visit the campus first before deciding?

Goodwin:  I visited the campus for the first time about a month ago and fell in love with it.  I think once the ice rink is finished, I will be even more in love with the campus!

INHockey.net:   And what is your major?

Goodwin:  After graduation, I studied nursing at St. Francis but just recently changed to Criminal Justice.  I thought nursing was something I wanted to do, but the classes I was taking my first semester didn’t interest me and I wasn’t as passionate about nursing as I thought I would be.  I always said if nursing wasn’t what I would want to do, I would want to do something with crime or law. I’m excited about my major change.

INHockey.net:   College hockey is a big step.  How do you think it will compare to what you’ve done before, and are you excited for the challenge?

Goodwin:  I think it’s a huge step, but I’m ready to take on the challenge.  Over the years, I dedicated a lot of my time to practicing and being away from home on the weekends to play in tournaments.  I also attended Mid-Am Camp which required me to be on the ice three times a day and to be constantly running drills.  I haven’t been in that same routine for a couple of years now, but I was capable of doing it then, so I should be capable of doing it now. 

INHockey.net:   What are you most looking forward to next year?

Goodwin:  Meeting new people and making lifelong friendships.  I am extremely excited to be part of the inaugural season for the hockey team.  I’m looking forward to our opening game and the rest of the season that will follow.

INHockey.net:   Do you have any aspirations to continue your hockey career beyond college?

Goodwin:  If the opportunity arises to continue my hockey career beyond college, I would love to pursue it.  If college hockey is all I am able to play, I will be happy with that too.

INHockey.net:   What about coaching?

Goodwin:  I already have a little bit of a head start on coaching.  I currently teach Learn to Skate for kids ages 3 and older and I also help coach the kids in the youth hockey leagues.  I definitely know that after my playing career is over that I would love to coach a team.  Teaching and coaching the kids now is something I’m so passionate about and something that I enjoy.

INHockey.net:   Any advice for the young girls just starting out?

Goodwin:  To the young girls just starting up or thinking about it, I would tell them to absolutely play hockey and stick with it.  It’s one of the best sports around.  Looking at the amount of girls that played when I was growing up, there were only about four or five of us.  Now, I see so many girls becoming interested in the sport and getting involved here in Fort Wayne.  I’m very excited to see how many girls will be playing in the next 2-3 years.

INHockey.net:   Bailey, thank you so much for your time.  It’s been a pleasure getting to know you.  Good luck next season at Trine.  We’re look forward to watching you out on the ice.

Goodwin:  Thank you.  I enjoyed it as well.  Go Thunder!