Freshman Friday is a Q-and-A feature with the new members of the women's hockey team. This third installment features forward Amy Curlew of Goose Bay, Newfoundland. Curlew, the first player in program history to hail from the most eastern province of Canada, talks about working her way back from injuries, being a member of the team and the classes that she has enjoyed.
 
Q: Being the first player from Newfoundland to play at Cornell, how did you end up here? Because of where you were with your club team (Oakville Hornets)?
A: I moved away from home in grade nine and I basically lived in Ontario for four years. I really didn't know much about NCAA hockey or anything about it until that point in time and then I ended up here.
 
Q: What in particular did you like about this school when you visited?
A: It's going to sound sappy but I literally came on the campus and was like "I want to go here. This is a place I can see myself." And it definitely is, to be honest. I stayed with the girls overnight and that was a deciding factor and got a tour and just really enjoyed it.
 
Q: And since you've been here, what's been your favorite thing?
A: Hockey, really. I love being on the team and I love everything about the team. I was saying before that I have no trouble getting up and coming to the rink. I'm happy to do it every single day and I'm not tired of it. So I love it, I love going here.
 

Q: What have you found challenging about being here?
A: School. Definitely school. I also separated my shoulder at the beginning of the year so I didn't start off with the team. I had to stay back from a few road trips which is kind of hard to wrap my head around but obviously I understand it. I've been hurt before and it's something you've got to do – take care of your body.
 
Q: Who did you lean on to help you through that?
A: I could name every single person on the team, honestly. Obviously I'm really close with all the freshmen. We can go to each other with anything. There is a couple of the seniors, I'd say. Bunts [Hanna Bunton] is cool and I hang out with Di [Diana Buckley] quite a bit and Pippy [Gerace] is always there making me smile every day.
 
Q: What do you think you've improved the most?
A: I think, coming here, I had a lot of injuries and I tore my ACL so I didn't play hockey last year and I kind of said coming here was like starting off new. And I think I've improved in all aspects. I know conditioning-wise, because I had a good year off, I lost a lot of my conditioning but slowly and surely I think it has been coming back with the [help of] the coaches and the strength coach, Dane [Schreiner].
 
Q: What kind of player are you, if you were to describe your style of play, as you work your way back?
A: I would say I like to get things done in the corners and throw the puck  up front. I don't mind going into the battles, the one-on-one battles. I'd say that more now than before my injury when I think I was more of a finesse player. I think it kind of changed. I like to skate hard.

Q: Outside of hockey, other than previously playing soccer, what do you like to do? Any hobbies?
A: I really like the outdoors. Especially where I came from, my family is really into snowmobiling, boating and everything that comes along with that. We're up north so I go hunting when I go home. I wouldn't say it's a hobby but it's something I like to do whenever I get the chance so that's what I did over break.
 
Q: Do you have any that you're excited about in the second semester?
A: Hockey. Hockey mostly. It'll be a challenge because I'm trying to take 17 credits. I have the option to drop one since I'm taking 17, so we'll see how that goes.

Q: Now you're in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, but what classes are you taking or looking to do?
A: I might switch majors, I haven't really made up my mind, but I might switch into Biology and Society. I took a biology class and plant science course, as well, that was called Guided Explorations, and a leadership course, too. Biology was definitely the hardest but they were all useful and I can use them if I choose to switch majors, which is really helpful. And I really like them so far. They're really hard but I like them.
 

Frozen Four
The same four questions asked to every member of the Class of 2020.

1) If you could switch lives with someone for one day, who would it be and why?
    Probably someone, and it sounds selfish, but somebody who has lots of money. Maybe a     Kardashian…but I think if I had a lot of money I would travel a lot. I've never really been     out of this area of the world so I'd go somewhere hot or go to Europe.
2) What three words would you want someone else to use to describe you?
    Happy, energetic and annoying. Positively annoying!
3) What is your favorite book?
    My Fight Your Fight. It's a Ronda Rousey book and I really liked it…I read it when I tore my     ACL and she tore her ACL, so my parents gave me the book.
4) What is your dream four-vs-four team?
    Sidney Crosby, he's a cool guy. Alexander Ovechkin, his shot, you need that. Auston     Matthews, my new favorite player, and T.J. Oshie.