Photo by: David Stluka
It was something that made me stronger
December 05, 2018 | Women's Hockey
Optimistic Emily Clark sees her injury producing steps forward, not backwards
Thwack.
Thwack.
The battered pucks slapped off her well-taped stick as University of Wisconsin senior forward Emily Clark warmed up before the Badgers' home matchup against Minnesota Duluth on Oct. 13.
Kish.
Kish.
Clark's sharp-edged skates scuffed across the LaBahn Arena ice after the puck dropped while she raced after the gliding puck.
Thump.
Not even two minutes through the first period, Clark's body thrashed against the boards.
And suddenly, a pop.
This was quickly followed by a jolt of pain from Clark's leg, and by the time she realized what had happened, she felt more regret than discomfort.
Silence.
"I knew," Clark said. "It felt like slow motion. With what I felt and heard, I just thought no, no, no, no."
What Clark knew then was later confirmed by medical professionals. She had suffered a lower leg injury and would be out for an extensive period of time.
"Looking back, I was just fortunate that it wasn't as bad as it could have been," she said. "Four to six weeks isn't as bad as a season-ending injury."
At first, Wisconsin's experienced center tried to extensively shift her focus towards the positives, but she admits there were times when sitting on the sidelines was difficult.
"It was definitely one of the hardest things I had to go through as an athlete," Clark said. "But, it was something that made me stronger, and I think adversity brings room for growth. I think that I matured through it all, too, and my mental resiliency really improved."
And while she was off the ice, Clark picked up on more than just rotations and plays.
"When you are healthy, you feel the effect and energy your teammates have. That energy, even though I was injured, was contagious," she said. "I tried to bring that positive energy to the rink, even when I was injured."
Clark's teammates quickly adopted the no Badger left behind mentality and Clarks said she had teammates constantly checking in on her, bringing her food and helping her with her laundry while she was on crutches.
"It's kind of cliché to say that your team is like your family, but I think in moments like that it just proves so true," Clark said. "I just feel that love and support from them and it really sinks in how much of a family we are."
In fact, the coaching staff and her teammates were not the only ones trying to keep a close and supportive eye on Clark.
"I talk to my parents every day, and they were watching the game," she said. "There wasn't any commentary [on the television], but when they saw I wasn't back out on the ice they knew something was pretty serious. So, I got constant calls and texts from them after that, and have been throughout the whole thing."
Clark acknowledged it was difficult to sit out the Four Nations Cup in her hometown of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, but this inability to compete ignited an even brighter spark, especially while she watched her teammates practice.
"I think I'm just that much more appreciative when I am on the ice," Clark said. "I would sit there and do homework, and just wish I could do even the most basic things with them. Sometimes it is not easy to do those workouts or those practices, but I think it just adds to my senior year and desire to enjoy every day."
The Olympian has been a key component for Wisconsin's 17-1-0 start, but recognizes the journey back to perfect health is far from over.
"As much as I want to contribute and be the best that I can be now, I'm just trying to get back at 100 percent for March," she said. "I want to leave this program better than how I found it, so the goal is winning that national championship."
With such high aspirations, Clark will try to continue towards that goal by whatever ways that she can. Judging by both her and UW's performance last weekend, confidence is soaring. The top-ranked Badgers scored 15 combined goals in a series sweep against Syracuse, including a 9-1 victory on Sunday headlined by none other than, you guessed it: Clark. In fact, she led all scorers with three goals on Sunday en route to her second career hat trick.
Not too bad for a player who was just getting used to holding crutches instead of a hockey stick.
"It's an amazing feeling when you can contribute like that," Clark said of her strong showing on Sunday.
And for Clark, she is confident the show is far from over.
Thwack.
Thwack.
Thwack.
The battered pucks slapped off her well-taped stick as University of Wisconsin senior forward Emily Clark warmed up before the Badgers' home matchup against Minnesota Duluth on Oct. 13.
Kish.
Kish.
Clark's sharp-edged skates scuffed across the LaBahn Arena ice after the puck dropped while she raced after the gliding puck.
Thump.
Not even two minutes through the first period, Clark's body thrashed against the boards.
And suddenly, a pop.
This was quickly followed by a jolt of pain from Clark's leg, and by the time she realized what had happened, she felt more regret than discomfort.
Silence.
"I knew," Clark said. "It felt like slow motion. With what I felt and heard, I just thought no, no, no, no."
What Clark knew then was later confirmed by medical professionals. She had suffered a lower leg injury and would be out for an extensive period of time.
"Looking back, I was just fortunate that it wasn't as bad as it could have been," she said. "Four to six weeks isn't as bad as a season-ending injury."
At first, Wisconsin's experienced center tried to extensively shift her focus towards the positives, but she admits there were times when sitting on the sidelines was difficult.
"It was definitely one of the hardest things I had to go through as an athlete," Clark said. "But, it was something that made me stronger, and I think adversity brings room for growth. I think that I matured through it all, too, and my mental resiliency really improved."
And while she was off the ice, Clark picked up on more than just rotations and plays.
"When you are healthy, you feel the effect and energy your teammates have. That energy, even though I was injured, was contagious," she said. "I tried to bring that positive energy to the rink, even when I was injured."
Clark's teammates quickly adopted the no Badger left behind mentality and Clarks said she had teammates constantly checking in on her, bringing her food and helping her with her laundry while she was on crutches.
"It's kind of cliché to say that your team is like your family, but I think in moments like that it just proves so true," Clark said. "I just feel that love and support from them and it really sinks in how much of a family we are."
In fact, the coaching staff and her teammates were not the only ones trying to keep a close and supportive eye on Clark.
"I talk to my parents every day, and they were watching the game," she said. "There wasn't any commentary [on the television], but when they saw I wasn't back out on the ice they knew something was pretty serious. So, I got constant calls and texts from them after that, and have been throughout the whole thing."
Clark acknowledged it was difficult to sit out the Four Nations Cup in her hometown of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, but this inability to compete ignited an even brighter spark, especially while she watched her teammates practice.
"I think I'm just that much more appreciative when I am on the ice," Clark said. "I would sit there and do homework, and just wish I could do even the most basic things with them. Sometimes it is not easy to do those workouts or those practices, but I think it just adds to my senior year and desire to enjoy every day."
The Olympian has been a key component for Wisconsin's 17-1-0 start, but recognizes the journey back to perfect health is far from over.
📺 ⏰for the #Badgers!
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerWHockey) December 4, 2018
Both games this weekend at St. Cloud State can be seen LIVE on @fswisconsin! pic.twitter.com/kT1pHqlSvj
"As much as I want to contribute and be the best that I can be now, I'm just trying to get back at 100 percent for March," she said. "I want to leave this program better than how I found it, so the goal is winning that national championship."
With such high aspirations, Clark will try to continue towards that goal by whatever ways that she can. Judging by both her and UW's performance last weekend, confidence is soaring. The top-ranked Badgers scored 15 combined goals in a series sweep against Syracuse, including a 9-1 victory on Sunday headlined by none other than, you guessed it: Clark. In fact, she led all scorers with three goals on Sunday en route to her second career hat trick.
#Badgers @emclark13 put this puck where Momma hides her 🍪s! pic.twitter.com/d1TvcDgJRt
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerWHockey) December 2, 2018
Not too bad for a player who was just getting used to holding crutches instead of a hockey stick.
"It's an amazing feeling when you can contribute like that," Clark said of her strong showing on Sunday.
And for Clark, she is confident the show is far from over.
Thwack.
Thwack.
Players Mentioned
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