When Dominique Petrie says that she is willing to do whatever she can to help the U.S. Women’s National Under-18 team win a gold medal, she means it.

Petrie, a native of Los Angeles, California, is a valuable player who can contribute at both forward and defense, and she’s willing to play either position when Team USA visits Zlin, Czech Republic, for the upcoming IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship.

“I’ve sort of always just played both positions, and it’s something that I never realized is so beneficial until people told me, ‘Oh, you can play both positions well,” Petrie said. “If I’m playing offense or defense, playing one or the other helps me see the game differently.”

Petrie said playing as a forward improves her defensive zone responsibilities, but as a defenseman it helps her determine when to jump into the rush.

“It’s nice because it helps with playing both positions, and I can focus on playing an overall 200-foot game,” Petrie said.

Petrie, as a member of the U.S. Women’s Under-18 Select Team, played the first game on offense and the final two on defense during the Under-18 Series against Canada. Petrie was told before the games what position she would be playing.

“It was helpful, so I could prepare mentally for what I needed to do,” Petrie said. “Personally, I will play whatever the coach wants, and I actually really like playing both positions, but I like to know beforehand, so I can prepare mentally because the game is very mental.”

Petrie, who plays on the Anaheim Junior Ducks, said it all started when her team suffered an injury. Petrie’s coach, recognizing she is responsible defensively, decided to try her out on the blueline.

“I’m not picky,” Petrie said. “I just sort of go with the flow.”

In addition to U18 head coach Joel Johnson and the Team USA staff, Petrie acknowledges former NHLers Craig Johnson and Scott Niedermayer, who coach her with the Lady Ducks. Playing on the boys team helps, too. Petrie plays tournaments with the Lady Ducks, but also plays with the Junior Ducks boys program.

“Playing with the boys taught helped with the physicality of my game,” Petrie said. “It just always pushed the pace of my game.”

Petrie attended the girls’ select Under-18 player development camp and also participated in USA Hockey’s Women’s National Festival before the Select Team series against Canada.

“That was a great experience, just from the coaching to traveling with the team and all the small little details,” Petrie said. “If I could, I would live in that world 24/7. I loved it that much, and it was even better when we came out with the series win against Canada. That was the best part for it being my first time.”

Petrie hopes that isn’t all. She wrote down a series of goals, starting with three appearances on the U.S. Women’s National Under-18 team, followed by NCAA Division I hockey and finally an appearance on the U.S. Women’s Olympic team.

Petrie has a portion of her first goal completed.

“It makes me hopeful that the others can happen with hard work,” Petrie said. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed of since I was a little kid. Just being able to accomplish this is something I’m really proud of.”

And she can’t wait to get to Zlin, Czech Republic to get started with her first IIHF Women’s World Under-18 Championship.

“I’m super excited and I can’t wait to put on the USA Hockey jersey again,” Petrie said. “It’s always a great honor and you don’t get to do that every day. I just want to go in wanting to play my best and help the team come out with a gold medal.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.