Abby Boreen has played hockey in many different environments. Outdoor rinks in Minnesota. NCAA arenas at the University of Minnesota. Now the professional game in Vancouver with the Goldeneyes.

On the latest episode of Rinkside Rundown, Abby talked about the stops along that path and how they shape her approach to the sport today. The conversation highlights her journey, from her early years in Minnesota to leadership, education, and the challenge of helping a new team find its footing.

Abby got into hockey through her family and spent much of her childhood skating outdoors. A lake near her home became a regular rink. Those hours on the ice were about playing as much as possible and getting comfortable with the puck.

She also played other sports, including soccer and softball, before focusing fully on hockey. Competing in different settings exposed her to a range of coaches and teammates and gave her a wider athletic base. She still sees it as valuable for young players.

The move to Minnesota introduced a different reality. NCAA hockey demanded consistency, depth, and patience, especially early in Abby’s career when playing time was not guaranteed.

Rather than measuring progress only by minutes on the ice, she focused on tightening the details of her game and improving day to day. That period forced her to rethink her approach to development. Growth was not always visible in the short term, but it was happening.

Those lessons continue to influence how she approaches the professional level, where preparation and reliability carry as much weight as highlight moments.

Leadership has been part of Abby’s career since her junior and collegiate years, and those responsibilities changed how she viewed her role within a team. Leading was not just about setting an example on the ice, but meant helping to create an environment where teammates felt supported and included.

She places special focus on communication and positivity and sees locker room culture as directly affecting performance on the ice. Having experienced different leadership styles throughout her career, Abby approaches the role as a skill that can be developed, not just a title that is assigned.

Alongside her hockey career, Abby pursued pharmacy school, which required careful planning and time management. Balancing academics with elite sport depended on cooperation between coaches and academic staff, who worked together to make her schedule workable in college and the pros.

Education has remained a key priority alongside hockey. That commitment reflects a long-term mindset that extends beyond a single season or contract and speaks to how she thinks about building a sustainable career.

Now in Vancouver, Abby is part of a group working to establish identity and standards with the Goldeneyes. A new environment brings new challenges, but also the chance to shape how a team grows.

Her earlier experiences feed into that process, from outdoor hockey to college competition and leadership roles. They show up in how she prepares, communicates with teammates, and approaches each season.

Check out the full conversation on the latest episode of Rinkside Rundown.