Rink Side Rundown: From Little Caesars To PWHL Detroit: Casey Borgiel’s Full Circle Hockey Story

Summary

When a career comes full circle.This week on Rinkside Rundown, Im joined by Colgate University graduate and PWHL Detroit draft pick Casey Borgiel. We trace her path from youth hockey with Little Caesars through her collegiate stops at Holy Cross and Colgate, and what she discovered about herself both on and off the ice along the way.Casey opens up about the impact of team culture and leadership, the reality of transitioning from junior to NCAA Division I, and how mental resilience and sports psychology helped her handle pressure at every level. We also dig into how shes preparing for the pro game and what it means to build a career beyond the scoresheet.Since we spoke, Caseys hard work has paid off in a big way. At the 2026 PWHL Draft, she heard her name called by her hometown club, PWHL Detroit, who selected her 22nd overall. In doing so, she became the organizations first-ever draft pick from the state of Michigan. On August 14, 2026, Casey signed her first professional contract, inking a one-year deal with Detroit ahead of the 2026-27 season.Its a dream come true to come home and play in the same arena that helped me fall in love with hockey and find my passion for the game, Casey said via team release.If youre enjoying these conversations, subscribe and share Rinkside Rundown with your fellow womens hockey fans. New episodes drop every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET, featuring players from across the womens game, from youth and college to the pros. Link in bio.