Biologist guards the goal for Frölunda HC
In 2020, Stephanie Neatby left Princeton University for Sweden. The goal is to become an even better ice-hockey goalie - and to learn more about biology.
23-year-old Stephanie Neatby originally comes from the hockey city of Toronto in Canada. After four years at Princeton University, she moved to Sweden to continue playing hockey.
— In 2020 I graduated from Princeton and wanted to continue playing ice hockey. One of my coaches at the university had played for Linköping HC for a short period, so that's how I came into contact with Sweden, says Stephanie Neatby.
After two years in Linköping HC, she moved to Gothenburg, where she joined Frölunda HC's successful women's venture last spring. They have won all ten games played so far, which means that they the lead the series by a large margin. A goal difference of 106 goals scored and only three conceded also shows that the season has been successful so far, not least for Neatby in front of the net.
University of Gothenburg one of the reasons for moving
One of the reasons why there was a move to Gothenburg and Frölunda HC was the University of Gothenburg and the opportunity to continue studying. In addition to the ice hockey, she is now studying the two-year master program in biology.
I did some research on GU and thought it would be perfect.
— I loved my ecology and evolutionary biology courses at Princeton and enjoyed doing my own research and thesis in my senior year. After taking a couple years off from school during the pandemic I realized how much I missed learning. A great opportunity popped up with Frölunda creating the first ever women’s squad, so I did some research on GU and thought it would be perfect. I am very interested in behavioural ecology but have enjoyed my time so far learning more about conservation biology, so I hope I can combine the two in the future.
You have a degree from Princeton, what is the biggest difference between American and Swedish (higher) education?
— In general, the way the courses are set up is different. I'm used to taking about four courses at the same time, with various classes throughout the week. Here I enjoy only having one course at a time and being able to really focus my energy on that particular course. Additionally, something I have noticed and really like about the Swedish biology courses is how often there is focus directed on local species and conservation projects in Sweden.
Enjoys Gothenburg, a city which feels like home
The move to Gothenburg has gone well and Stephanie Neatby says that she enjoys Gothenburg.
— I am from Toronto and I am used to living in a big city, so moving here it already felt very similar to my hometown. There are so many amazing restaurants to explore which I think has been my favourite part of the town so far.
During the first, historic match ever for Frölunda HC's women's team, fellow students from the University of Gothenburg were there to support.
— We had a signing event for all the fans afterwards and my friends from GU even stayed for it. It was fantastic that I could show my teammates that we had loyal supporters from Gothenburg University's biology program as well, says Stephanie when speaking about her favorite memory from the time here in Gothenburg.
Are there any similarities between hockey and biology?
— Maybe if I took more courses in human biology or anatomy, then maybe I could help my teammates in some way, says Stephanie and laughs.
She says instead that she is very happy that there are not so many similarities. This means she can “keep her academic brain far from her hockey brain”. School becomes a break from hockey, and vice versa.
As for the future, she has clear goals for both brains.
— As I mentioned before I have lots of interest in putting together ideas about behavioural ecology and conservation biology into practice. I’m not sure where that will take me, but I’m hoping when I write my degree project I can find out!When it comes to ice hockey, the goal is a given, to qualify for the SDHL so that we can be in the top league next season and compete for the gold helmet, of course.
Do you want to know even more about Frölunda HC and Stephanie Neatby? Follow this link for a recorded Youtube interview, made by Frölunda HC.
