What does it actually take to stand alone in the crease when the pressure is at its highest?

This week on Rinkside Rundown, I’m joined by Penn State goaltender and Vancouver Goldeneyes draft pick Katie DeSa, where she opens up about the journey that brought her from falling in love with the game during the 2010 Olympics to anchoring the Nittany Lions' historic run.

During our conversation, Katie talks about the importance of keeping things fun when the stakes are massive, the mental resilience required to bounce back, and how she unwinds away from the rink through fly fishing and music.

This episode was recorded before she was selected in the fourth round, 37th overall, by the Vancouver Goldeneyes. On September 1, Katie signed her first professional contract, inking a one-year deal with the Goldeneyes.

If you’re enjoying these stories, subscribe and share Rinkside Rundown with your fellow hockey fans. New episodes drop every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET, bringing you closer to the players shaping the women's game.

Building a foundation beyond the ice.

This week on Rinkside Rundown, I’m joined by Brown University captain India McDadi. Instead of just tracing her collegiate steps in the ECAC, we explore how her athletic roots outside the rink ultimately shaped her competitive edge and leadership style.

India opens up about growing up as a multi-sport athlete in Mississauga. We discuss how her early success in baseball taught her unique lessons in confidence, as well as the pivotal moment she decided to focus entirely on hockey. We also talk about her evolution as a leader at Brown, the realities of building a strong team culture, and how she translates those collegiate lessons into her own game.

Because we recorded this conversation just before the 2026 PWHL Draft, India shares an honest look at her preparation for the professional ranks. She provides a rare, unfiltered window into the nerves and mindset required when a top collegiate player is waiting to take that next big step.

If you’re enjoying these conversations, subscribe and share Rinkside Rundown with your fellow women’s hockey fans. New episodes drop every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET, featuring players from across the women’s game, from youth and college to the pros. Link in bio.

When a career comes full circle.

This week on Rinkside Rundown, I’m joined by Colgate University graduate and PWHL Detroit draft pick Casey Borgiel. We trace her path from youth hockey with Little Caesars through her collegiate stops at Holy Cross and Colgate, and what she discovered about herself both on and off the ice along the way.

Casey opens up about the impact of team culture and leadership, the reality of transitioning from junior to NCAA Division I, and how mental resilience and sports psychology helped her handle pressure at every level. We also dig into how she’s preparing for the pro game and what it means to build a career beyond the scoresheet.

Since we spoke, Casey’s hard work has paid off in a big way. At the 2026 PWHL Draft, she heard her name called by her hometown club, PWHL Detroit, who selected her 22nd overall. In doing so, she became the organization’s first-ever draft pick from the state of Michigan. On August 14, 2026, Casey signed her first professional contract, inking a one-year deal with Detroit ahead of the 2026-27 season.

“It’s a dream come true to come home and play in the same arena that helped me fall in love with hockey and find my passion for the game,” Casey said via team release.

If you’re enjoying these conversations, subscribe and share Rinkside Rundown with your fellow women’s hockey fans. New episodes drop every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET, featuring players from across the women’s game, from youth and college to the pros. Link in bio.