Gabi Heuser and Abby Dhein help clinch Wisconsin Selects title just a month after CW Storm state title

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – In early March, the Central Wisconsin Storm took home their second state title in three seasons. It didn’t take long for Gabi Heuser and Abby Dhein to remain hungry for more hardware.

“It always feels really good after you win,” said Wisconsin Selects Junior right wing Gabi Heuser. “Then you’re in the locker room, you’re leaving the rink, and you’re just like I wanna play some more.”

Just a month later at Michigan State University, they’d take home the national title with the Wisconsin Selects a 19U second tier girls hockey team. It wouldn’t have been possible without successful tryouts, earning their way for more medals.

“It was tough us losing all of our games last year at nationals,” said Heuser. “But for them to still believe in me as a player and believe in that team and for us to be able to come back is crazy.”

“I had a lot of ups and downs throughout the season,” says Wisconsin Selects senior forward Abby Dhein. “But I think that I made it through the whole season, I didn’t quit. It felt good not to quit my senior year.”

While the results are the same, for Heuser and Dhein, a Wisconsin select championship has a different kick to it.

“It’s a national level, and this year it was really special for me since I got to be with Coach Bauer again,” says Dhein. “And obviously I had Gabi with me, too, so it was special to be playing with them for my last games that I ever will play.”

“Every morning at 10 a.m. throughout the whole tournament, we would get together as a team and we would watch film,” explained Heuser. “We would just be there together and that really made it just feel like a family. You wanted to come to the rink every day and just enjoy being around your best friends.”

Between what they show on and off the ice, Heuser and Dhein are amongst many players paving the way for the girls hockey players of tomorrow.

“It feels good to be able to show girls who are younger that you can be great,” said Heuser. “There’s a path in women’s sports because I don’t think there always has been.”

To learn more about the Wisconsin Selects program and how you can join, click here.

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