DULUTH — Senior forward Katie Davis made her long-awaited return to the Minnesota Duluth lineup this past weekend when the Bulldogs welcomed Minnesota State to Amsoil Arena for a pivotal WCHA series.
The in-game action was Davis’ first since a Nov. 4 game against St. Thomas.
After a long road to recovery for the Boise, Idaho native, Davis shared her elation of being back in the mix for the Bulldogs ahead of the postseason.
“It’s awesome — a little surreal, I feel like,” Davis said of her return. “‘I’ve played one game since October so it’s been a long time, but (I’ve) just really been leaning into the energy of being around the team. (I’m) blessed for the opportunity to be around them. (It) feels really good.”
Davis commended the UMD training staff, specifically Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Medicine and Performance Dr. Susan Hoppe, and Resident Athletic Trainer Kristin Sondys for making the rehab process as smooth as possible in the wake of the injury.
Though she wasn’t able to impact the game from an on-ice perspective during her time away, Davis remained a valued veteran presence in the locker room through the energy she provided.
“I would say whether it’s like talking with the girls, playing music in the locker room, (I’m) trying to get them going however I can and bringing energy into it,” Davis said of her approach during the rehab process. “Like I’ve been working with our assistant coach up in the press box, so working with challenges and whatnot, really dialing into being a student of the game and watching the best I can.”
Clint Austin / Duluth Media Group
The off-ice preparation was apparent in this weekend’s series against the Mavericks, as she tallied the lone helper on Mannon McMahon’s first-period goal in Friday’s WCHA tilt. She finished the series with one assist and four shots on goal on…
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