An Interview with Olivia Mobley '20

Alumni Office (AO): Olivia, can you introduce yourself, your name, your grad year, and where you are now?

Olivia Mobley (OM): Yes! I’m Olivia Mobley, Breck Class of ’20. I'm currently at Minnesota Duluth, and I’m graduating from college this year.

AO: And Olivia, you had a storybook Breck hockey career. Tell us a little bit about your experience playing for the Mustangs back in the day.

OM: It was some of my most fun years of hockey! I think our team was so close, we had a great coaching staff all four years, and I mean, honestly, hockey was just fun. It was fun every day showing up at the rink. I feel like everyone fit in and added a piece to the puzzle. I think overall it was really cool. I'm grateful I got to be a part of that team because not everyone gets to go to Breck; it's a really great school and a great hockey program. I'm so fortunate that I got to be a part of it during those four years.

AO: I love to hear that! Do you have a favorite memory from your time on the team? I mean, you won three state championships during your time on the team, along with Ms. Hockey, in your senior year. 

OM: Sure! It was awesome winning the first state championship in my sophomore year because it was my first time going to the tournament. You know, you grow up watching the tournament in Minnesota, so being able to do that the first time was pretty unreal. I think going back during my senior year being able to get the job done again was very special because I'd been playing with some of those girls for four years, so being able to both end and have that season with those girls and with our coach Steve, it just felt like it was a perfect moment. I think that was one of the best memories I have.

AO: That’s amazing! Can you tell me a little bit about your experience making it to play NCAA Division One hockey?

OM: Yeah! I think it was definitely weird jumping up to play NCAA hockey because my freshman year wasn't a normal college experience. As a COVID year, everything was off from what is normal, but I think in the big picture that helped because it wasn't this huge jump into the whole college experience that could have overwhelmed me with different classes and team dynamics. So, although it wasn’t ideal having that COVID year, I think it helped me make the adjustment. 

AO: We are so proud that you made the transition to playing hockey at the collegiate level. Olivia, you transferred to Ohio State for your fourth year of eligibility, and you won an NCAA championship. Can you tell me what lessons you learned during that championship season? 

 

OM: Yeah! That year, I felt like all I did was learn lessons. I was in a position I'd never been in, both on the ice and within that group, because there is a ton of talent in that group. It felt like it was the first time that the game hadn't come easily. Adding to that, it was super competitive, everyone was fighting for a spot and playing time, which definitely gave our team the edge over other teams that season. That year taught me many lessons, and now I am able to resonate with girls more, hopefully helping them get through whatever they're going through. I also wanted to feel good when I put my head on my pillow at night because that's all you have at the end of the day. You have to feel good about what you do, and so again, that led me to try to be a really good teammate, try to be a good friend, and just bring my best every day. 

AO: Amazing! And now you're at UMD, what led you to play for the Bulldogs your last year of eligibility?

OM: I chatted with them many times, and I remember every time after just thinking it was a great call, or should I have gone to UMD because I had such a good connection with the coaches. I wanted to make sure I had a good, but also fun, fifth year because I felt that I didn’t really fit in at Ohio State. Coming here was the easiest decision ever. Everything felt right.

AO: That’s great to hear! What are you doing to prepare ahead of the PWHL draft?

OM: Going back to the lessons I learned, what really worked well for me was after the season, taking some time away from the rink because the seasons get long. So that's what I've been doing the past month and a half. For the PWHL, this summer I plan to skate with Hawkeye Hockey Services. They have a bunch of different junior guys and college grads who will go skate there during the summer. I think overall, I just want to be really fit going into the draft and going into the season. 

AO: Got it! How do you keep yourself grounded and motivated as you look at taking the next step to play professionally?

OM: I mean, I love hockey. I want to play the game as long as I can. I think for me, the love started when I was playing with my brother and his friends down at the rink. It’s always been fun, the wins are fun, the awards are fun, and that's all part of it, but it always comes back to skating at the rink with my brother and his friends because that's what it's all about. So moving forward, just reminding myself why I love the game and why I show up to the rink every day. 

 

AO: That's wonderful to hear! What's your major that you're graduating with? 

OM: I’m graduating with a degree in marketing and Spanish!

AO: Congratulations, Olivia, and thank you for sitting down with us to talk!

 

A couple of weeks after our interview, Olivia was selected by the Boston Fleet in round 3, pick 2 of the PWHL 2025 draft! We look forward to watching her as Breck's newest professional athlete!