Growing up in Minnesota created a natural community and affinity to hockey for Lily Delianedis. Now the new PWHL Seattle draft pick is set to turn that affinity into a career.

“Hockey is just so big out there. Our community was so involved in hockey. I just loved playing outside and skating on the ponds, and even just my neighborhood- the girls across the street from me played hockey,” Delianedis said. “Same with my other neighbor, he was a hockey player, so it was a community thing.”

However, for Delianedis, and the other girls in her neighborhood, the possibility of playing professional hockey wasn’t yet a possibility.

“I know the league has existed a couple years now, but even just being drafted, being able to play hockey after college, I didn’t think that was an option for me,” she said. “Just with growing up, obviously, the league didn’t exist, so it’s just been really exciting that there’s this opportunity now, and I think it’s going to be great for women’s hockey in general- just for little girls to be able to watch and have the ability to see that they too can grow up and play women’s hockey, professional hockey.”

If only there were a way to go back to young Lily Delianedis and tell her that the era of professional women’s hockey is here and she’s about to be a part of it. During the third round of the PWHL Draft, at the 24th overall pick, Delianedis, a Cornell alumni, heard her first name and then waited the seemingly minutes-long wait to hear her last name, confirming her draft to PWHL Seattle. 

“I’m so excited to be drafted to play in Seattle and just drafted in general to play professional hockey, but I honestly feel like I still have so much adrenaline from the draft,” Delianedis said. “I know it’s just been a week, but it’s been so exciting. I was with my family, and we were watching and I was honestly just kind of in shock and so excited when my name was called. I heard them say ‘Lily’ and then I feel like time just kind of slowed. If there had been a video on me, I think it would have just been like shock and awe. It’s a dream come true and I’m just so excited to get to play in Seattle.”

The Delianedis family is no stranger to professional hockey. Lily’s dad, Dan Delianedis, a goaltender, played in the AHL and the ECHL before becoming a goalie coach at Lily’s rival high school. Dan gave some unconventional advice to his daughter. 

“He actually recommended wrestling,” says Delianedis. “That was a new thing I’ve heard. I’m not sure if I’m going to take him up on that offer or not, but he was like ‘It’s physical, maybe you should do that.’” 

Of course, as any dad, and coach, would, he also had the mindset pearls of wisdom to remind Lily to “continue to be confident and believe in yourself.”

In looking to the future, Delianedis is very excited to get to Seattle and hit the ice. She’s also prepared to make the jump from collegiate hockey to professional hockey with a continued focus on strength and conditioning.

“I think just from watching the games, it seems like the pace of play is just so fast and so physical now too,” she said. “I think just adjusting to the speed and the strength will be big things. I definitely think it will be a little bit of an adjustment, but I am really excited to play at the highest level and try to adjust to the pace.”

She’s also been working on her mental game through her collegiate career. 

“You’re obviously not going to perform every game to what you want to perform, so I think I just try to take it shift by shift, and just try to forget, maybe I had a bad shift, just forget about it and focus on the next one that I’m going to have,” Delianedis said. “I try to have just the same routine mostly, every game, too, and I think that helps have a little more control. Just try to stay in the moment and be positive.”

A self-described “nerd”, Delianedis spends her time away from the rink reading, listening to music, spending time on the water, and exploring with friends.

“I’m so excited to get started with Seattle, and I can’t wait to meet all the fans, and just be a part of this amazing city. I’m extremely ready to get started and hopefully we’ll bring a lot of great energy and great games for everyone to watch. I can’t wait to get the ice. The countdown- it’s started now. Ready for the first game.”