UND women’s hockey senior and captain Andrea Dalen skates at the Ralph Engelstad Arena earlier this year. Photo by Nicholas Nelson/The Dakota Student. 

Not only did Andrea Dalen spend time adjusting to hockey at the collegiate level, the senior captain of the UND women’s hockey team also dealt with challenges in moving from country to country.

Dalen grew up and started her hockey career in Hofeness, Norway, and is now playing in her fourth year of eligibility at UND. Although she enjoys hockey in both towns, the environment at UND is much different from her hometown in Scandinavia.

“It’s a lot different here,” Dalen said. “There are a lot of rivers and mountains, and the town I’m from is based out of a valley.”

The language also took some getting used to.

“My English has gotten a lot better,” Dalen says. “Just being able to watch and be a part of lectures has really helped me out.”

Dalen grew up in a family of hockey players, and after much influence from them, it only made sense that she would go on to play the game, too.

“My dad and brother both played hockey, so they were the ones who got me into it,” she said.

Differences exist between the European and North American styles of play. The difference between the two styles was something Dalen said she had to make adjustments to when coming to play in North America.

“The game is a lot tougher and everyone here is really good,” Dalen said. “The overall competition is a major difference.”

While the Europeans focus on a more passing and play making style of play, North American hockey is known for its physicality.

Andrea Dalen isn’t the lone European on UND’s roster. Seniors Johanna Fallman (Sweeden), Josefine Jakobson (Denmark) and junior Tanja Eisenschmid (Germany) all hail from overseas. Her teammates bring a wide array of experiences and aspects to the team.

“It’s really nice to be able to experience the different cultures,” Dalen said.

The senior has had several experiences playing at the national level that have helped her with playing collegiate hockey.

“You learn a lot about styles of different players, along with their culture, so all of that makes it easier,” she said.

Dalen had one of her best personal showings at the international level last April when she skated with the Norwegian National team at the IIHF Women’s World Championship.

Dalen scored seven goals in five games, leading Norway to third place while also being awarded the honor of top forward in the tournament.

This year, the captain’s role on the UND women’s hockey team has given Dalen a new perspective.

“For sure it’s a bigger responsibility,” she said. “Just try to stay the same and not change much, but you definitely have to put the team first instead of yourself.”

The senior has skated in 23 games this year, recording six goals and 15 points this season.

UND picked off a pair of wins as the team swept WCHA conference rival Ohio State on the road last weekend, winning both games, 1-0. UND will continue its stretch of games this weekend when the team will host WCHA opponent Bemidji State.

A sweep over Bemidji State would be big for UND as the team would then surpass the Beavers in the conference standings. The potential sweep, along with another two Ohio State losses this weekend, could bounce UND from sixth place in the WCHA to fourth.

Winning five of its last six games, the UND women’s hockey team will look to continue its streak of good hockey when the puck drops Saturday afternoon at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Dalen knows the team needs to do to keep moving forward.

“We have to keep winning games the second half of the season,” Dalen said. “As it goes on, it’s more and more like playoff hockey. We have to be tough and gritty and keep doing what we are in practice.”

Ben Novak is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. He can be reached at [email protected].