Q & A with Crysti Howser

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Yale senior forward Crysti Howser (Wilmette, Ill.) is at USA Hockey's Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y., this week for the Women's National Festival. This is her third straight appearance at the National Festival, which features some of the top players in the country competing in practices and games. Howser will then be part of the U.S. Under-22 Select Team's three-game series against Canada in Pierrefonds, Que., Aug. 20-23. She recently took the time to answer some questions about her USA Hockey experience -- and her hometown baseball team.

Q: You were on the Under-22 team for the series vs. Canada last season. How does that experience help you this time around? What has your workout and practice regimen been like this summer -- are you preparing any differently?
A: Last year when we played against Canada things did not turn out as well as we had hoped [the U.S. lost the three games by a total of four goals]. I anticipate that Canada will have just as good of a team this summer, so it should be an exciting three games. Having played Canada last year allows me to know what I'm getting into a little bit. The same can be said for the overall Under-22 training experience as well. I have been working hard this summer to make sure I am in the best position possible to have a good training camp in Lake Placid and play well against Canada when we travel to Montreal. For the past two months I have been training a little differently than I have in the past summers and I have already seen tremendous gains.

Q: In your time with USA Hockey, which players have impressed you the most? Who have you learned the most from?
A: My experience with USA Hockey has been a fantastic one. So many of the coaches and players who I have been with have made lasting impressions on me and have helped me as both a player and a person tremendously. At every event I just try to soak up any and all of the advice or suggestions that are thrown my way and enjoy the overall experience at the same time.

Q: What has been your most memorable moment from your time with USA Hockey?
A: My most memorable moment with USA Hockey thus far was without question the first time I ever put on the United States jersey for the opening game I played against Canada. It was just a great feeling to put on that jersey and I'm pretty sure I had goose bumps.

Q: How has playing for Yale helped prepare you for what you've experienced with USA Hockey?
A: Being at Yale has definitely helped me prepare for my time with USA Hockey in a lot of different ways. Being able to play in the ECAC against some of the best teams in the country and the best players in the world during our regular season schedule has been extremely beneficial.

Q: You are part of a large group of seniors (eight players) on the Yale team. What expectations do you have heading into your final season for the Bulldogs?
A: I am excited about this upcoming season, especially given the depth of our senior class. Every member of our class is on the same page when it comes to our work ethic and willingness to do whatever is in the best interest of the team, so I am expecting nothing but fantastic things from every senior member. I am looking forward to our program having our best season yet.

Q: And, last but not least, is this the year the Chicago Cubs finally win the World Series? It has been 100 years.
A:Having attended last Friday's 11-inning win over St. Louis in Wrigley I am extremely confident in the Cubs' chances of winning it all this year, much more so than the Bears', but that's not saying very much.