Sophia Kunin (née Shaver; born April 3, 1997) is an American former ice hockey forward. She played professionally in the PWHPA and in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) for PWHL Minnesota. She is known for her versatility, and is able to play the positions of center, winger, and defense.[1]
| Sophia Kunin | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Kunin with PWHL Minnesota in 2024 | |||
| Born |
April 3, 1997 Wayzata, Minnesota, U.S. | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | ||
| Weight | 150 lb (68 kg; 10 st 10 lb) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for |
PWHPA PWHL Minnesota | ||
| Playing career | 2019–2024 | ||
|
Medal record | |||
Early life
editKunin was born Sophie Shaver on April 3, 1997, in Wayzata, Minnesota,[2] as one of Tom and Cristen Shaver's three children.[3] A graduate of Wayzata High School, Kunin had 25 points in 19 games her senior year and was a finalist for the Minnesota Ms. Hockey award.[4]
Playing career
editNCAA
editFrom 2015 to 2019, she played for the Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey program. She served as an alternate captain in her junior year. As a senior during the 2018–19 season, she was named team captain. Under her leadership, the Badgers advanced to the 2019 NCAA National Collegiate women's ice hockey tournament finals, where she scored the game-winning goal to win the national championship.[5][2]
PWHPA
editIn 2019 she joined the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association. She played for Minnesota in the PWHPA from 2020 to 2022.[2] As part of an ongoing partnership between the ECHL, PWHPA, and PHF,[6] she was nominated to be one of four women to play at the 2022 ECHL All-star Classic.[7]
During the 2022–23 season, she won the PWHPA Secret Cup with Team Harvey.
PWHL
editOn September 18, 2023, she was drafted in the 10th round, 60th overall, by PWHL Minnesota in the 2023 PWHL Draft. On December 1, 2023, she signed a one-year contract with Minnesota.[8] She has stated, “I feel extremely grateful to be able to play in my hometown, the State of Hockey, and I can’t wait to get the season started with our amazing group of players, coaches, and staff.”[7]
She scored a goal in her PWHL debut game. The team went on to win their first game 3–2.[9] Kunin announced her retirement from professional ice hockey on June 17, 2024.[10]
International play
editKunin was invited to the United States women's national ice hockey team training camp in 2014. She represented the United States at the 2015 IIHF World Women's U18 Championship where she recorded one goal and two assists in five games and won a gold medal.[5]
Awards and honors
editNCAA Awards
edit| Award | Period |
|---|---|
| WCHA All-Academic Team | 2016–17, 2017–18 |
| Academic All-Big Ten Team | 2016–17 |
| WCHA Rookie of the Week | Feb. 16, March 8, 2016 |
| All-WCHA Second Team | 2017–18 |
Source:[5]
Other awards
editPersonal life
editAt the University of Wisconsin, she majored in Real Estate and Urban land Economics.[5]
Sophia Kunin married National Hockey League player Luke Kunin in 2023.[12]
Career statistics
edit| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2011–12 | Wayzata | MNHS | 25 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13 | Wayzata | MNHS | 25 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14 | Wayzata | MNHS | 24 | 17 | 22 | 39 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2014–15 | Wayzata | MNHS | 16 | 13 | 6 | 19 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16 | Wisconsin | WCHA | 40 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2016–17 | Wisconsin | WCHA | 38 | 3 | 15 | 18 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Wisconsin | WCHA | 35 | 12 | 12 | 24 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2018–19 | Wisconsin | WCHA | 41 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Independent | PWHPA | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2020–21 | Minnesota | PWHPA | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2021–22 | Minnesota | PWHPA | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2022–23 | Team Harvey's | PWHPA | 20 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2023–24 | PWHL Minnesota | PWHL | 24 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| PWHPA totals | 20 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | ||||
| PWHL totals | 24 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||||
References
edit- ^ Kennedy, Ian (December 20, 2023). "Wherever She Players, Sophia Kunin Will Be Key To Minnesota's Success". The Hockey News Womens News, Analysis and More. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Sophia Kunin – Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ Baggot, Andy (February 22, 2019). "A deeply-forged friendship". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ "Breaking the Ice with Sophia Shaver". Wisconsin Badgers. September 30, 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Sophia Shaver | Women's Hockey". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ "Official Site of The ECHL | PHF and PWHPA members to participate in Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic". ECHL. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ a b mforno (November 29, 2023). "MINNESOTA SIGNING SUMMARY (LIVE TRACKER)". minnesota.thepwhl.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Kennedy, Ian (December 1, 2023). "Fleming, Kunin Sign In Minnesota". The Hockey News Womens News, Analysis and More. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Miller, Max (January 12, 2024). "Sophia Kunin Scores in PWHL Minnesota Debut". The Hockey News San Jose Sharks News, Analysis and More. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Kennedy, Ian (June 17, 2024). "PWHL Minnesota's Sophia Kunin Announces Her Retirement". The Hockey News. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ Haase, Nicole (October 2, 2015). "Meet a new Badger: Sophia Shaver". Bucky's 5th Quarter. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Kennedy, Ian (August 12, 2023). "It's Been A Busy WoHo Wedding Offseason". The Hockey News Womens News, Analysis and More. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
External links
edit- Biographical information and career statistics from Eliteprospects.com