Sometimes you have the fortune of meeting someone who is unbelievably easy to root for. Maybe it’s because their story resonates with you, or maybe it’s because you’re aware of the obstacles they’ve had to overcome to get to where they are. In the case of Colgate University defender Casey Borgiel, it’s not only because she’s one of the most exciting offensive defenders in the NCAA, but also because of the way she approaches the mental side of the game.
You can watch our full conversation on YouTube here.
This week on Rinkside Rundown, I sit down with Casey as she shares her story. She talks about the impact a program like Little Caesars had on her junior career and what she learned at Holy Cross that helped her become even more successful at Colgate University. She also shares how, despite the intimidation of joining a program like Colgate’s, she turned it around and used it as extra motivation to drive success during her tenure. And that’s another part of what makes Casey such an easy person to root for and a strong role model: she understands that while life can throw you challenges, it’s how you turn them into experiences and then lean on them to become better.
This conversation was recorded before the 2026 PWHL Draft, where she heard her name called by her hometown club, PWHL Detroit, who selected her 22nd overall. In doing so, she became the organization’s first-ever draft pick from the state of Michigan. On August 14, 2026, Casey signed her first professional contract, inking a one-year deal with Detroit ahead of the 2026-27 season.
“It’s a dream come true to come home and play in the same arena that helped me fall in love with hockey and find my passion for the game,” Casey said via team release.
I’m really excited for Detroit fans, as they got one heck of a player, and an even better person, heading their way this fall.
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