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Natalie Darwitz
Natalie Darwitz 2010.jpg
Darwitz with the US national team in 2010
Born (1983-10-13) October 13, 1983 (age 41)
Occupation Ice hockey executive
Years active 2023–present
Ice hockey career
Height 5 ft 3 in (160 cm)
Weight 135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
Position Forward
Shot Right
Played for Minnesota Whitecaps
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Coached for Minnesota Golden Gophers
Hamline Pipers
National team  United States
Playing career 1998–2010
Coaching career 2007–2023
Medal record
Representing  United States
Women's ice hockey
Olympic Games
Silver 2002 Salt Lake City Tournament
Silver 2010 Vancouver Tournament
Bronze 2006 Turin Tournament
World Championship
Gold 2005 Sweden Tournament
Gold 2008 China Tournament
Gold 2009 Finland Tournament
Silver 1999 Finland Tournament
Silver 2000 Canada Tournament
Silver 2001 United States Tournament
Silver 2004 Canada Tournament
Silver 2007 Canada Tournament
4 Nations Cup
Gold 2003 Sweden Tournament
Gold 2008 United States Tournament
Silver 1998 Finland Tournament
Silver 1999 Canada Tournament
Silver 2000 United States Tournament
Silver 2002 Canada Tournament
Silver 2004 United States Tournament
Silver 2005 Finland Tournament
Silver 2006 Canada Tournament
Silver 2007 Sweden Tournament

Natalie Rose Darwitz (born October 13, 1983) is an American ice hockey executive, coach, and retired player, most recently serving as general manager of PWHL Minnesota in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).

Darwitz was a member of the US national ice hockey team for more than a decade and served as team captain for several seasons, beginning with the 2007–08 season. Her decorated playing career was highlighted by three world championship gold medals, two Olympic silver medals, and an Olympic bronze medal. She was inducted in the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2024.

Career biography

Darwitz began skating at the age of five, and attended Eagan High School. From there, she was a veteran of ten years on the US National Team. She competed in two Olympics, leading the 2002 Olympics in goal scoring and scoring the game-winning assist in the bronze-medal game in the 2006 Games. In three years of NCAA Hockey at her alma mater, Minnesota, she won back-to-back national championships, scored the championship goal in her final game with 1:08 to go versus Harvard (4–3), won the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA women's ice hockey tournament Frozen Four, was named US Women's Player of the Year, and competed in an additional three IIHF Women's World Championship.

At the 2008 Worlds, Darwitz led the tournament in scoring and was named the Best Forward in the World by the International Ice Hockey Federation. She was also awarded the Bob Johnson Award by USA Hockey as the best male or female player representing the United States in international play.

In August 2008, Darwitz was named assistant coach of her alma mater, the University of Minnesota's, women's ice hockey team. At the conclusion of the 08–09 NCAA campaign, she left to return as a full-time member of the US National Team.

Darwitz was the second leading scorer at the 2009 IIHF tournament with 10 points (three goals, seven assists).

On August 2, 2011, she announced her new position as the head coach of the Lakeville South High School girls' ice hockey team. The Lakeville South Cougars finished the 2011/2012 season with a record of 21–1–6. and the 2012/2013 season with a record of 16–2–9.

From the 2015–16 through 2020–21 seasons, she served as the head coach of the Hamline University women's ice hockey team. They finished the 2017–18 season by going to the Frozen Four and placing 3rd in the nation. On July 29, 2021, she was hired as an assistant coach for her alma mater, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey team.

On June 7, 2023, she was announced as co-head coach of the Hill-Murray women's hockey team, along with Jake Bobrowski.

On September 1, 2023, the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) announced that Darwitz would be the general manager for the new PWHL Minnesota team. Darwitz and PWHL Minnesota parted ways in June 2024, shortly after winning the league's inaugural championship.

Personal life

Darwitz has two siblings, her parents are Scott and Nancy.

Accomplishments

  • 2002 Winter Olympic All Tournament Team - voted on by the International Ice Hockey Federation
  • 2005 Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year Award - awarded by USA Hockey
  • 2005 NCAA Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player
  • WCHA Team of the Decade (2000s)
  • 2024 Inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame as a player, during the medal ceremony of the 2024 IIHF World Championship.

Career statistics

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts
1999 United States WWC 2 5 2 1 3
2000 United States WWC 2 5 2 6 8
2001 United States WWC 2 5 3 1 4
2002 United States OG 2 5 7 1 8
2004 United States WWC 2 5 7 3 10
2005 United States WWC 1 5 2 2 4
2006 United States OG 3 5 3 3 6
2007 United States WWC 2 5 4 5 9
2008 United States WWC 1 5 6 4 10
2009 United States WWC 1 5 3 7 10
International Totals 50 39 33 72

Collegiate

    Regular season
Season Team League GP G A Pts
2002–03 Minnesota Golden Gophers WCHA 33 33 35 68
2003–04 Minnesota Golden Gophers WCHA 26 27 37 64
2004–05 Minnesota Golden Gophers WCHA 40 42 72 114
NCAA Totals 99 102 144 246

Professional

    Regular season
Season Team League GP G A Pts
2006–07 Minnesota Whitecaps WWHL 13 11 10 21
2007–08 Minnesota Whitecaps WWHL 7 4 7 11
WWHL Totals 20 15 17 32
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