Finland native takes spotlight on URI ice
Brandon Gearing
Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: Sports
With her help, the women's hockey team is ranked No. 1 nationally in the American Collegiate Hockey Association and has a national championship in its sights.
Leskinen said the team's goal is not unrealistic.
The Rams are currently 12-1 overall and stand undefeated at 10-0 against ACHA opponents.
While she is already experiencing success playing hockey, Leskinen has also set some personal goals for herself so that she can be just as successful in the classroom.
She is majoring in entrepreneurial management and plans to either pursue graduate school in the United States or further her hockey career back home.
Off of the ice, she is working hard completing assignments so that graduate school can become a reality.
"We have practice four times a week, as well as off-ice practice, so I have to stay on top of my schoolwork," Leskinen said.
In any free time she has, she said she enjoys drama and thriller movies, as well as listening to all types of music. Lately she has been listening to Akon, but said she will listen to anything with the exception of heavy metal.
"The whole team experience at URI has been great," Leskinen said. "[The team] takes great care of me."
Despite her positive experience at school, Leskinen said she misses being at home.
Her family is from Helsinki, Finland, some 4,000 miles away.
She lives with both of her parents along with two brothers, one who is 21 and one who is 17.
Leskinen and the women's hockey team play their next game at the Boss Ice Arena on Friday Dec 5 at 7 p.m.
Leskinen said the team's goal is not unrealistic.
The Rams are currently 12-1 overall and stand undefeated at 10-0 against ACHA opponents.
While she is already experiencing success playing hockey, Leskinen has also set some personal goals for herself so that she can be just as successful in the classroom.
She is majoring in entrepreneurial management and plans to either pursue graduate school in the United States or further her hockey career back home.
Off of the ice, she is working hard completing assignments so that graduate school can become a reality.
"We have practice four times a week, as well as off-ice practice, so I have to stay on top of my schoolwork," Leskinen said.
In any free time she has, she said she enjoys drama and thriller movies, as well as listening to all types of music. Lately she has been listening to Akon, but said she will listen to anything with the exception of heavy metal.
"The whole team experience at URI has been great," Leskinen said. "[The team] takes great care of me."
Despite her positive experience at school, Leskinen said she misses being at home.
Her family is from Helsinki, Finland, some 4,000 miles away.
She lives with both of her parents along with two brothers, one who is 21 and one who is 17.
Leskinen and the women's hockey team play their next game at the Boss Ice Arena on Friday Dec 5 at 7 p.m.
