Michelle Pasiechnyk grew up in Ottawa playing mini sticks and falling in love with hockey before going on to a collegiate career that saw her take home NCAA Goaltender of the Year.

On this episode of Rinkside Rundown, I sit down with the Ottawa native to discuss a career defined by success on the ice, what it meant to step away from the game and the perspective she learned from doing so.

With the 2026 PWHL Draft on the horizon, Michelle also shares what it would mean to hear her name called, and the importance of creating a true pathway for the next generation of girls in hockey.

Discover more about Michelle Pasiechnyk and her hockey journey at www.rinksiderundown.ca, and follow the podcast on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/rinksiderundownpod.

This week, I'm joined by University of Minnesota forward Jamie Nelson, as we discuss her early days growing up in Andover, Minnesota where she was put in skates at three years old, to how important it was to remain close to home and the growth and development that led to a career year in 2025-26.

With the PWHL Draft around the corner, we also discuss the anticipation Jamie feels ahead of this next chapter of her career, and how important it is to her to recognize the players who paved the way for her to have this moment.

Some of the key topics we cover include:

• Jamie Nelson's early hockey influences in Minnesota
• The importance of multi-sport athleticism
• Building a championship mindset and resilience
• Transitioning between college programs and growth
• The significance of community support and role models
• Reflections on collegiate achievements and awards
• The journey to the PWHL draft and professional aspirations

Discover more about Jamie Nelson and her hockey journey at www.rinksiderundown.ca, and follow the podcast on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/rinksiderundownpod.

This week on the show, I'm joined by Viivi Vainikka, Finnish national team member and forward with Brynäs IF of the SDHL, as she shares her journey from Espoo, Finland, where she started playing the game as a way to spend time with friends to becoming a star in the Swedish league.

Viivi talks about how her competitive nature helped her to discover a passion for hockey, how that passion drove her to make the leap to Naisten Liiga, the top league in Finland, when she was only 15 years old, and how she's continued to see success at every step of the way, including internationally. We also discuss why she spent an extra season in the SDHL before declaring for the upcoming PWHL Draft, and why now is the right time for her to take the next step and play in the best league in the world.

Discover more at www.rinksiderundown.ca, and follow the podcast on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/rinksiderundownpod.