Former Gophers coach, player Natalie Darwitz named to IIHF Hall of Fame
Former Gophers women’s hockey assistant coach and standout player Natalie Darwitz was named to the 2024 IIHF Hall of Fame class on Monday.
Darwitz won three gold medals for Team USA at the Women’s World Championship as well as five silver medals. She also won two silver medals and one bronze in three Olympics. Darwitz was part of Team USA for 11 straight events from 1999-2010.
She tallied 83 points (43 goals, 40 assists) during that run and she was a captain for the Americans on three different occasions — the 2008 and 2009 Women’s World Championship and the 2010 Olympics, when the U.S. won the silver medal.
When she was with the Gophers, Darwitz led Minnesota to back-to-back national championships in 2004 and 2005, being named the Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player during the 2005 championship run.
USA forward Natalie Darwitz (20) takes a shot against Canada in the second period during the women's hockey gold-medal match in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics at Canada Hockey Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Feb. 25, 2010.
David Mercer / USA TODAY Sports
Darwitz scored 246 points (102 goals, 144 assists) during her tenure with the Gophers, numbers which at the time set program records. She’s currently third all-time in program history in points, behind just Amanda Kessel (248) and Hannah Brandt (286). Her 114 points in the 2004-05 season set an NCAA single-season record.
Darwitz, twice an assistant coach the U, is currently the general manager of Minnesota’s PWHL team.
Joining her in the 2024 Hall of Fame class are Jaromir Jagr, Kenny Jonsson, Igor Liba, Petteri Nummelin, Jaroslav Pouzar and Ryan Smyth. Mel Davidson was elected as a builder. The class will be honored during the Men’s World Championship in May.
