Quick Q&A: Emily Brown, Blaine girls' hockey

The junior defenseman is coming off a 26-point season (seven goals, 19 assists). She helped the Bengals win the Class 2A, Section 5 title and the state consolation championship last season. She's also competed on a national level, and already has verbally committed to the Gophers.

Q: What will it take for your team to complete the unfinished business at state?

A: A lot of hard work. The same focus throughout the season. Not getting too content with the fact that we made it last year. It's going to be even harder to make it back.

Q: What was it like to compete in the USA Hockey Top 66 Camp over the summer?

A: Definitely a good experience. I learned so much. All the coaches there, they know their stuff.

Q: How about the Canada Series?

A: I can't even describe it. Growing up, it's your dream to be able to put on the USA jersey and play Canada. It doesn't really get much better than that. To do that was just unbelievable. It's something that I'll never forget.

A: Everything to me. My entire life, I've been playing hockey. Every extra hour on the ice, every extra hour in the garage shooting pucks, it'd be all worth it.

Q: What do you love about the game of hockey?

A: I would say the main thing is being able to just play the game with your best friends. For just an hour or two, you just get to block out the rest of the world. If you have a bad day or something, it doesn't matter once your skates hit the ice.