The Full-Court Press: Kate Buesser '11

With the women’s ice hockey team opening its season at home on Friday against Yale, the Back Page gives you an opportunity to meet co-captain Kate Buesser, the team’s scoring leader as well as an All-ECAC and All-Ivy first team selection. In this exclusive interview, Buesser reveals her pre-game routine that includes Celine Dion, her embarrassing fall during practice, why she considers herself like Yale, and her love for a Patriots player. Every week, The Full-Court Press will give you the sort of personal scoop that you’re not likely to hear at a typical press conference.

Name: Kate Buesser

Year: 2011

Stats: In three seasons, Buesser has played in all of her team’s 99 games, scoring 28 goals and 38 assists. Last season, Buesser played in 33 games, racking up 16 goals, 24 assists and 119 shots, all team highs.

Now, to the questions!

1. Typical pre-game meal.

I will usually have the standard two pieces of grilled chicken (sometimes with BBQ sauce, other times with a little A1 on the side), a generous portion of pasta with sauce, and some veggies or yogurt with fruit. I finish out the meal with a cup of water and a little Diet Coke for some caffeine.

2. Songs you listen to before games to get pumped up.

Celine Dion "I'm Alive" and a whole lotta techno and mashups.

3. Favorite team to play against and why.

I love playing against UNH at the Whittemore Center because when I was younger I used to go and watch the women play. UNH is usually in the top 10 teams in the nation as well, so we can be guaranteed a good game.

4. Most ridiculous thing that has taken place in your team's locker room.

We used to have a blow-up bounce-back (the toy that you can punch to the ground and it comes back up at you) in our locker room and depending on which team we were playing we would post their seal on it. The night we were playing Brown, our coach came in to give the "serious" pre-game talk and without saying a word she round-about kicked the bounce-back into one of our players. I'm pretty sure none of us heard a word she said after that because we were dying laughing.

5. Most embarrassing moment you've had on the ice.

We were playing a game in practice where one player has to go around a net to have a one-on-one breakaway against the goalie. I attempted to go around the net...and I say ATTEMPTED because I cut my turn a bit too close. I ended up slamming myself full speed into the side of the net with nobody around me, resulting in one of the biggest yard sale falls of my life.

6. Animal that best represents your style of play and why.

I regret to admit that I play most like the mascot of our rivals in New Haven...a bulldog. I am extremely physical on our forechecks and in front of our offensive net. I have an aggressive style of play that aims to wear down our opponents.

7. The most ridiculous thing you've heard a fan yell at a game you were playing in.

I honestly can't remember where we were playing but one of the comments was directed at one of our taller defensemen (who we affectionately call FFD's). She had been playing very aggressively and had been knocking down a ton of their players, eventually getting a checking penalty for one of the plays. As she was skating towards the penalty box, I heard one of the fans yell, "Get off the ice Ray Lewis!" I'm not sure if it was a compliment or an insult but regardless we died laughing on the bench.

8. If you could play for another sports team at Harvard, which would it be and why?

I think I would like to try fencing. I saw the national championships that were at Harvard last year and was amazed at the skill of the sport. To be honest, I had no idea of any of the rules but they looked awesome in their get-ups! Plus, who doesn't want to practice their sword fighting skills? (Or is it sabre skills?)

9. Position you'd play in Quidditch.

I would absolutely be a Chaser. I love the passing aspect of these players.

10. If you could go on a date with any professional athlete, who would it be?

There are so many to choose from...but if I had to only go with one it would be Wes Welker. I am a huge football fan in general but I love, love, love the Patriots and he is such an integral part of the team's success. I am also very impressed at how he came back from such a devastating injury last year to be extremely effective again in the first five games of the season.