On Tap with ... Kelly Cooke

Senior Kelly Cooke, a forward from Andover, Mass., scored three goals in two games last weekend for the women’s hockey team. The Tigers (5-7-2 overall, 2-6-2 ECAC) will host Quinnipiac (10-7-2, 6-3-1) this afternoon and visit the Bobcats on Saturday. Before the weekend series, Cooke sat down with the ‘Prince’ to discuss road trips, leadership and Christmas music.

Q: Did you always know you wanted to play hockey in college?

A: I started playing hockey when I was four. I lived at the campus of a prep school growing up, so I started skating at that rink. I probably knew I wanted to play in college when I was around 12 or 13 when we started going to college games and saw all the Boston schools and their teams.

Q: What has been the greatest highlight in your sports career?

A: I’d have to say winning the national championship with my club team when I was U-16.

Q: What about at Princeton? Perhaps your best win?

A: My sophomore year, when we beat Harvard in overtime at Harvard. That was the greatest celebration our team has had.

Q: Do you have a pregame ritual?

A: I always tape my stick on the bench, wherever we are. I listen to the same music before each game.

Q: What songs?

A: The “Any Given Sunday” speech by Al Pacino.

Q: What would you say your role is on the team, both on and off the ice?

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A: My role has definitely changed from previous years to this year. Now that I am a senior and one of the captains, I think my role is a leader on and off the ice, but mostly a leader through the way I play on the ice. I’m not really a vocal leader. But by working hard I try and set an example, especially for the younger kids.

Q: How does being the team’s leading scorer affect your mentality?

A: It’s obviously a new position for me, because I haven’t scored this many goals in the past. The more you think about points, the less points you put up ... When I go out there I just try and play. That’s when the goals come, when you least expect it. We had a few shorthanded goals last weekend. And we’ve had three on the year, which is a lot for our team. The majority of my point production, actually, has been short-handed goals.

Q: Which player on the men’s team would you say you are most like and why?

A: I’d probably say [junior forward Andrew] Ammon, because he’s kind of a similar style player as me. He’s gritty. He’s not that big, but he knows how to use his size to his advantage.

Q: What’s your funniest story about your coach [Jeff Kampersal ’92]?

A: There are a lot. I guess the funniest was during my freshman year when we went to St. Lawrence and Clarkson. It’s our farthest road trip — it’s like eight hours — and he forgot his dress pants. There are absolutely no stores up there because it is in the middle of nowhere in New York. He had to go on the bench in his tie and dress shirt with his black sweatpants on and dress shoes. I don’t know if the other coaches noticed, but we haven’t let him live it down.

Q: Who would you say is your quirkiest teammate?

A: [Junior forward] Olivia Mucha. She’s definitely quirky in that she always seems to be carrying around a backpack, which weighs more than she does. We also call her Kermit due to her immaculate singing voice, and the things that come out of her mouth are so random sometimes that we just look at her with confused faces.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do when not practicing?

A: Hanging out with my teammates. Listening to Christmas music. I’m a big Christmas lover. Watch TV shows. There really isn’t that much extra time.

Q: If not hockey, what other sport would you like to be really good at?

A: Definitely lacrosse. I played lacrosse going up through high school and thought I might want to play in college.

Q: Favorite class taken at Princeton? Why?

A: Children’s Literature. It had some really great lectures.

Q: What’s your favorite song?

A: Austin by Blake Shelton. I love country music. I listen to that on repeat before games too.

Q: Are you a fan of the NHL? What do you think about the lockout?

A: I’m a big Bruins fan. I’m hoping it ends soon. It would be a great Christmas present if we could get hockey back on TV. It’s been a long season without hockey.

Q: Any plans for after you graduate?

A: Hopefully I can continue playing somewhere. Either in the professional league with the team in Boston or somewhere else. I want to go to law school but take a year off first; maybe coach for a year.

Q: Finally, and maybe the most important question: Which girl does best with the guys off the ice?

A: I’d say [senior forward] Alex Kinney. She always manages to have someone on her backburner.