Taylor Hartinger becomes second New Mexican DI hockey player

ALBUQUERQUE, NM (KRQE) – Although New Mexico isn’t exactly known for women’s hockey, that doesn’t mean there isn’t talent in the Land of Enchantment. Sonny Watrous earned a scholarship to Providence over 20 years ago, and now a second player has found a spot in Division I.

Taylor Hartinger of Albuquerque has been playing hockey since she was a child. Her father, Vladimir, was a member of the New Mexico Scorpions in the mid-2000s and instilled in her a love of the game. Now she will continue her career at Franklin Pierce College.

“I’m feeling a mix of emotions right now, I’m super excited,” Hartinger said. “You know, I love the speed and aggressiveness of the game and I love how competitive it is and that I can just take this to the next level. I’m so excited to see what the game brings.”

After starting her hockey career locally, Hartinger traveled the country to play. After stops in Detroit, Chicago and Philadelphia, she made contacts with some of the pioneers of women’s ice hockey.

She skipped her second year of U16 to play in the U19s and chatted with some of the best coaches in the country, including the first woman to ever be an assistant coach in the NHL, Jessica Campbell with the Seattle Kraken.

Hartinger says she wants to play as long as possible and go as far as she can in the sport. She believes the program she is in at Franklin Pierce can help her achieve those goals, and she is excited to see what the future holds.

“They won the NEWHA championship in the 2021 season and last year they finished 2nd in their own league. That was the only place where I thought: This is where I want to be, this is just perfect.”