Alina Mueller and Chloe Aurard are two leading players of Northeastern University’s elite women’s hockey team, Huskies. They are very good friends now. On their arrival at the Northeastern University last year, they were suggested to take a room together since they were the only Europeans on the team and appeared to have much in common. However, their pre-existing relationship was distant and sprung from their competitive natures.
Mueller is from Switzerland and is one of the world’s best players. At age 15, she scored the winning goal in the bronze-medal game of the 2014 Olympics that made her the youngest player ever to medal in women’s hockey. Four years later, she earned the “Best Forward” award of the Olympics with a tournament-leading 10 points in six games. Aurard is a fellow sophomore forward from France, who has provided balance to Mueller’s line. She leads Northeastern with 12 goals and her 23 points overall rank second on the team to Mueller’s 32. Northeastern’s lone two Europeans have combined for 21 goals and 34 assists in 15 games.
Coach Dave Flint is of the opinion that they communicate with their eyes. No-look passes where they know the other one’s going to be there and being good definitely helps with that. He says that teams are probably thinking that if they can keep these two off the board, they have a chance to win. Thus, Alina and Chloe are playing the other team’s top defenders, they’re going to get double-teamed, and it’s just a matter of them battling through that. The inherent frustration of carrying so much responsibility against focused opposition leaves Mueller and Aurard grateful for each other’s company. Aurard and Mueller share an apartment with three other teammates. They have a kitchen but there isn’t a lot of time for shared meals.
The Huskies are aiming for the national championship. This mission again helps strengthen the relationship between Mueller and Aurard since they are learning how to help and push each other to keep improving. Each understands that she is not alone. Both know, when the next day brings them closer to the ultimate goal, that they will have each other.
Shahjadi Jemim Rahman