Undefeated through 18 games, the Wisconsin women's hockey team has been doing major damage to both the stat sheets and the record books this season. But one Badger packs a punch, both on and off the ice.
In addition to mixing it up for her country on both the national and international ice surfaces, freshman forward Carolyne Prévost has been known to throw down on occasion - literally. A native of Sarnia, Ont., Prévost is a fourth-degree black belt in taekwondo, winning four Canadian national titles before coming to the UW.
Though not an overly physical player, Prévost is well aware of the advantage taekwondo has given her on the ice.
Taekwondo [involves] a lot of footwork,"" she said. ""It actually made me a better hockey player. It's so much [about] speed and agility [that] it carried over to the ice.""
That speed and agility is paying statistical dividends for Prévost this season. Playing beside junior forward Meghan Duggan and sophomore forward Mallory Deluce on one of Wisconsin's top lines, the freshman recorded a trio of assists in last Friday's game against Minnesota State, including one on the game-winning goal. Prévost's eight goals this year are also good for fourth-most on the team.
As the season has progressed, Prévost's teammates have noticed her skills as well.
""The other day, to stay onsides, she did a full-out split on the ice,"" Duggan said. ""You can tell she's a martial arts specialist. I think she has a little extra edge from being in a [combat sport].""
Aside from that physical edge, Prévost admits that taekwondo gives her a mental advantage when the puck drops.
""International competition has taught me to stay focused,"" Prévost said. ""It helps me out, and it carries over to hockey.""
More than anything, her teammates see Prévost's work ethic paying off at the rink.
""She's a great player. She battles hard,"" Duggan said. ""She's a workhorse out there, and I think that comes from a lot of [her training] and what she's been taught in taekwondo.""
Despite all of her success, Prévost has tried to keep some of her accomplishments in martial arts under wraps, adding that some of her teammates are probably unaware that she is a fourth-degree black belt.
""I didn't know that she was actually a fourth-degree black belt until a couple of weeks ago,"" Duggan said. ""We've been making her show us some kicks in the locker room. There's a video of her knocking some girl out. It's pretty cool.""
Prévost said that her proudest moment in taekwondo came when she represented Canada at the 2005 Junior Pan-American Taekwondo Championship. Earning a silver medal in individual competition, she helped the Canadian women to the overall team title.
""I lost by one point in the finals, so that was kind of a bummer,"" Prévost said. ""But it was definitely a highlight.""
As the Badgers look to make another long post-season run this year, Prévost knows her experience on an international stage will come in handy.
""Getting mentally focused for the big games is definitely easier,"" she said. ""You get [the same] mentality when you're going into international [taekwondo] competition.""
Though juggling multiple sports was never a problem growing up, playing college hockey has forced taekwondo to take a backseat for Prévost.
""I'm actually [hoping] to join a club here soon, just on my off time,"" she said. ""I kind of miss it.
