How ‘understated’ Izzy Daniel found her way to the Toronto Sceptres top line
Toronto Sceptres GM Gina Kingsbury was pleasantly surprised when Izzy Daniel was still available for the team to select in the third round of the PWHL draft last June. The forward from Minneapolis, Minn., had just made history by becoming the first player from Cornell University to win the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Award, given to the top player in women’s NCAA hockey. With an impressive 59 points in 34 games during her final college season, Daniel’s talent was undeniable.
Kingsbury praised Daniel’s exceptional spatial awareness, playmaking abilities, and intelligence on the ice. Despite her standout performance at Cornell, Daniel had to wait until the third round to hear her name called in a competitive draft class that included top prospects like Cayla Barnes and Hannah Bilka. Prior to the draft, Daniel was asked about her limited experience with the American national team, but she remained confident in her abilities to compete at the highest level.
Daniel’s journey to the professional ranks was not a straightforward one. She didn’t make the elite USA Hockey teams along the way and didn’t start playing hockey until she was eight years old. Her high school coach, Shawn Reid, recalled her growth and impact on the varsity team at The Blake School in Minnesota, highlighting her smooth skating, hockey IQ, and understated yet effective playing style.
Despite not receiving invites to USA Hockey teams, Daniel used the snubs as motivation to prove her critics wrong and showcase her skills. She credited the coaching staff at Cornell for instilling confidence in her and helping her realize her potential as a professional player. Daniel’s university coach, Doug Derraugh, emphasized the importance of her development and growth as a player, proving that success can be achieved through hard work and dedication, even without early recognition.
Described as a student of the game, Daniel’s passion for hockey extends beyond the ice. She is intrigued by salary caps, roster management, and sports management, expressing interest in potentially working in the industry in the future. As she adjusts to life as a professional player with the Toronto Sceptres, Daniel is learning to adapt to the increased physicality of the PWHL and improve her positioning to avoid injuries as a smaller player.
Despite the challenges and adjustments, Daniel is relishing the opportunity to compete against some of the best players in the world in the PWHL. Her dedication, intelligence, and skill set have already made an impact on the Sceptres, and her potential as a rising star in women’s hockey is evident. Fans can catch Daniel and the Toronto Sceptres in action as they face off against the Montreal Victoire at Coca-Cola Coliseum this Saturday.
