“It’s simply an indescribable feeling” – Sandra Abstreiter on winning the Walter Cup with Montreal
Sandra Abstreiter made ice hockey history by winning the Walter Cup: The DEBThe national team goalkeeper is the first German player to win the title in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). In this interview, the 27-year-old talks about the emotional moment after the final victory, the exuberant celebrations in Montreal, her role as a role model for young girls, and her future plans.
"There was this enormous relief."
Has your Walter Cup prize money arrived yet, or will it take a few more days?
Sandra Abstreiter: "Actually, that was the first time in my life that such a moment hit me so instantly. If I compare it to, say, the Olympic qualification, it took a while back then for me to really grasp it – perhaps because the big goal was still ahead of us. Now, the tension built up throughout the entire season leading up to the final. We were absolutely determined to reward ourselves in the end. And we really did drag it out almost until the very end – we needed four out of five games. The relief afterwards was simply immense. You immediately realize: 'Okay, we really did it.' We stayed on the ice for ages afterwards, with a lot of media attention and everything. That gave us enough time to understand that it was really over – but in the most positive way possible. Even so, it's still an indescribable feeling every time I see the trophy."
Beer showers, cabin parties – Montreal in a state of emergency
How did you celebrate this victory, or how will you celebrate it?
Sandra Abstreiter: "Right after the victory, we celebrated properly, of course. First, we were on the ice for a very long time – it was a real party. Afterward, the team retreated to the locker room and practically flooded the place. We hung everything up to keep our things somewhat dry and simply enjoyed the moment together. Later, we went back to the hotel, where many friends and family members were waiting. We continued the celebrations there into the evening. And now it's really starting all over again: Many bars and restaurants in Montreal want to support us and celebrate with us. Hockey is simply huge in Montreal. With the Montreal Canadiens, who are also currently in the playoffs, the sport is receiving an incredible amount of attention. That makes it all the more special that we were able to bring the first title to Montreal. There will also be a Para"We will give it, but we don't know exactly when yet."
Take us through your season so far – how did it all develop and when did you get the feeling: 'This could be something'?
Sandra Abstreiter: "Here in Montreal, the coaches and managers made it clear from the very beginning: We're not here just to participate – we're here to win. Of course, something like that takes time to develop, but we got off to a good start relatively early and could already sense that we could reach the playoffs. The playoffs themselves, however, became really tough, especially in the first round against Minnesota. We really went through everything: illnesses, injuries, players coming back. Our captain, for example, missed a lot of games at the end of the season but then came back just in time. I think that's exactly what brought us even closer together. That's when you realized: This could really be something. And once we reached the Finals, there was no stopping us. Everyone believed in the title."
"It is meant to show young girls: It is possible"
You were the first German woman in the PWHL and are now also the first German player to win the Walter Cup – what does that mean to you?
Sandra Abstreiter: “Of course, this means an incredible amount to me. It’s definitely something special. But what’s even more important to me is that this attention also reaches Germany – especially in girls’ and women’s ice hockey. I hope that young players see: there are role models, there is a path – and it’s really achievable. It’s not just about me. There are also the other German players in the league – and hopefully there will be even more in the future.”
Summer break and anticipation for the future
What's next for you?
Sandra Abstreiter: "Now it's time for a well-deserved summer break. I'm really looking forward to it. At the same time, I'm also extremely excited for the upcoming season."
When, how and where will you start the upcoming season?
Sandra Abstreiter: "It's not entirely clear yet what everything will look like, but my goal is definitely to stay in the PWHL. I'm very positive about it. Of course, I also hope to get more playing time personally. Plus, four new teams are joining the league, which is definitely a great opportunity for me. Talks will start in early to mid-June. I'm a free agent, which means I can talk to all the teams and I'm open to anything. Then we'll see what happens and where I end up. That's exactly what makes the coming period incredibly exciting."