Emma Seitz and the golden goal for USA Ball Hockey

Belonging to a new generation of star power for USA Ball Hockey, Emma Seitz delivered on all accounts at the 2024 ISBHF World Championships. Emerging as the leading scorer for an American team that enjoyed the jubilation of its first-ever gold medal, the peerless performance elevated Seitz as an All-World talent.

The native of New York is no stranger to wearing the Stars and Stripes. On the ice, she skated for the Under-18 USA national team in a 2016 exhibition series versus Canada. Finding a new opportunity to represent with USA Ball Hockey, ISBHF events have proven to be a scintillating showcase for her sensational skills.

Scoring the game-winning goal in a gold medal clash versus Czechia, it marked one of the greatest highlights in USA Ball Hockey history. Finding the back of the net at the 10:53 mark of the first period, the assists were credited to Karen Levin and Becky Dobson. Additional goals by Megan Fortier and Alexia Vakos, plus a 15-save performance by Brooke Wolejko allowed the US to prevail in a dominant 3-0 final, resulting in their first ISBHF World Championship.

Worth noting, Levin and Dobson were part of the US rosters that earned the silver medal at the 2017 and 2019 ISBHF Worlds, marking the first podium finishes in program history. Their involvement on Seitz’s goal represents an emotional passing of the torch.

“It meant so much to me! There were so many women on the team who had been fighting for the gold medal for so long – including Karen Levin who had a beautiful assist on that goal. So, I was just happy to do my part and bury the shot for all of my teammates.”

Adding to the magnitude of scoring a historic goal, Seitz excelled as the catalyst on offense. Leading all members of the US roster with seven goals, the feat served as testament to her versatility.

Throughout her stellar four seasons on-ice for the Yale University Bulldogs, Seitz played on the blueline. Converting to offense during the tournament, a commendable move showing a team first approach. Adapting quickly, the strategy yielded exceptional results.

“I did not know what my impact would be going into the tournament. Over the last year, I have not played much ball hockey because I have been focused on ice hockey. I also started as a defender and then was asked to switch to forward. So, I learned a lot as the tournament progressed and ended up finding a role for myself as a scorer.”

Emerging as a revelation at the Worlds, ready to take her place among ball hockey’s elites, the gold medal provided a triumphant denouement to an impactful season. Beginning in Sweden with her rookie season of professional ice hockey, garbed in the iconic red, white and green colors of Sweden’s MoDo hockey club, Seitz garnered a solid 22 points in 36 regular season games to lead all blueliners.

Joined on the roster by another American born player, Taylor House, her presence provided an element of familiarity. Of note, House played for the Quinnipiac Bobcats, one of Yale’s conference rivals. Their first season as teammates culminated with MoDo appearing in the SDHL Finals versus Lulea.

Maintaining the respectable run from Sweden, Seitz enjoyed a stellar transition, her solid skill set greatly benefitting the US. Through it all, an exceptional humility rises to the surface, the embodiment of being a model teammate.

Fittingly, Seitz’s recollections on the golden experience encompass a sense of tribute. Acknowledging the veterans on the roster that worked tirelessly towards propelling the program into a position to compete for gold, Seitz encompasses grace and an admirable team first philosophy. Qualities which assure the future of the program is in good hands.

“I am so proud to have been a part of USABH and this team. There are so many individuals who have sacrificed a lot of time and money in order to help the program grow and become more and more legitimate. I am very grateful for all that work and look forward to playing a small part in that progression going forward.”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”