Natalie Darwitz

[gano]

Darwitz Likely Sidelined for the Remainder of the 2003-04 Season


[January 16, 2004]


Gopher women's hockey forward Natalie Darwitz suffered torn ligaments in her right elbow in last Saturday's game against Minnesota-Duluth. Darwitz, an Eagan, Minn., native, will likely miss the remainder of the 2003-04 season.

(From gophersports.com)

[binnyrus]

Oh my god! When did that happen?? She was on the ice for the game winner in OT!!!??

Another bad break for the Gophers - wasn't Wendall out last year??

[ARM]

Much as we hate to see them, injuries are part of the game. I'm very sorry for Natalie; players work so hard to get to this level, they are afforded four years of NCAA competition, and it is too bad when they lose part of that time.

[brookyone]

Horrible, horrible news. You just can't replace or compensate for Natalie Darwitz

[dave1381]

Latest on Darwitz:
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/7731334.htm
http://www.startribune.com/stories/512/4324307.html

Interest to note that newspapers as obscure and far away as the "Myrtle Beach Sun News" ran the AP version of the story. Funny that only a high-profile injury would ever get mentioned in a lot of places.

[Moveurfeet]

My sympathies to Natalie and the Gophers. It's an awful break for her and the team -- and for women's hockey. She really lights up the action when she's on the ice.

But most of all, I hope she takes the time to heal well. She has a long career ahead of her doesn't need to jeopardize that.

[womenshockeyfan]

I wonder will she be able to compete for the US at the world championships or not?

[soapbox_ranter_211]

The rest of the season means the rest of the season, so NO!!! Unless some kind of miracle happens that is!

[bc-mn]

Tough break for Nat; I've known her since we were each about 10 years old and I can't remember her ever missing many games, let alone 1 game. I haven't caught her online lately, but I'll find out some info next time I do.

Hopefully the rest of the squad rallies around this...

[dave1381]

"I've had injuries here and there where it hurts to play but you're still able to play," she said. "I've never sat out more than one game at a time. This is new territory."
yup, that's what she said...and it seems as if they rallied pretty well last weekend.

Can anyone think of a typical recovery time for this injury? It's the kind of thing you usually hear keeping baseball pitchers out for a year, and I can't think of a comparable instance in hockey at any level.

[ARM]

I would think it is a matter of a) can she hurt her elbow futher by playing; b) is she vulnerable to some other type of injury if she doesn't have her right arm available to protect herself. Because if she could play, but in a limited capacity (for example, she couldn't shoot a slap shot or even a hard wrist shot), she has such talent that she could still be an asset to a team.

[Penwhale]

Originally posted by ARM
I would think it is a matter of a) can she hurt her elbow futher by playing; b) is she vulnerable to some other type of injury if she doesn't have her right arm available to protect herself. Because if she could play, but in a limited capacity (for example, she couldn't shoot a slap shot or even a hard wrist shot), she has such talent that she could still be an asset to a team.
As long as there is a way for her to play without further damaging her elbow.. She should be allowed to play.

Then again, if I were her I'd take my career over a few college games even though this might be the best chance I will ever have had in college.

[ARM]

This Just In

As this column has often focused on what national team players might be unavailable for the Frozen Four, here's some good news for a change.

Minnesota forward and U.S. Olympian Natalie Darwitz, once thought to be lost for the season, has been cleared to play this weekend against Ohio State.

[binnyrus]

Good for Natalie . . . does anyone know if she had surgery??

[dave1381]

If she had decided to go ahead with surgery already, I'm guessing she would be recovering right now instead of playing. Perhaps she decided to wait until after the college and international seasons are over, if it's necessary.

[brookyone]

I do not believe she has had any surgery since the injury.

[OneTimer29]

Good to hear that Natalie will be in good shape so soon! I hope she can help the team go far this year!!

[ARM]

From the Ohio St. student newspaper, "The Lantern":

Three of Minnesota's goals came from the stick of sophomore right winger Natalie Darwitz. The hat trick was her third of the season and in her first series back after missing 10 games with an elbow injury.

"It gets the confidence going, but I know myself as a player, and I know I'm not nearly what I was before I left," Darwitz said.

Complete story here:

http://www.thelantern.com/news/2004/02/24/Sports/Gopher.Series.Differs.From.First-616313.shtml