NAME: Frangelica Bautz

SCHOOL: Mercyhurst University

HOMETOWN: Buffalo, NY

YEAR: Freshman

POSITION: Forward

Q: What is the single best thing about playing college hockey for your current CHE team?
A: How much the team acts like a family. Coming to a new school can be scary, but being on this hockey team gave me 12 immediate friends who care about me. There is no tension in the locker room; just a bunch of funny girls who all share the love of hockey.

Q: What is the most-memorable hockey game you have ever been involved in, at any level?
A: Last year in the Federation semifinal playoff game, my high school beat the opposing team to continue on to win the championship for the league. Monsignor Martin had previously won for four-consecutive years prior, so being able to contribute to their defeat was incredible. My adrenaline was flowing the entire game until the final buzzer played to crown us the winners. My team gave all of their heart and energy, and we came out on top because of it.

Q: Are there any routines or rituals you must stick to before every game, such as listening to a certain song?
A: I do not have any very specific rituals. I just enjoy getting focused and staying loose by listening to the team’s music in the locker room. Prior to college, I wore the same pair of Christmas pajama pants  -- that I received when I was 6 -- during every game and practice. Once I came to Mercyhurst, I thought it was time to retire the old pants and start fresh.

Q: Which opposing CHE team do you really enjoy playing against, and why?
A: The University at Buffalo. I believe they are our biggest competitor, and we are very similarly matched teams. There are also a few girls I know on the team, so it is always fun to play against people you know, especially if you are very competitive like me.

Q: If you were put in charge of the entire sport of hockey and could change just one thing about the game, what would it be?
A: I would change the rule of no checking in woman’s hockey. As an aggressive player, I can confidently say that the most common type of penalty I receive is body checking. I believe that the sport should be no different between the genders. With saying this, I do still believe that woman’s hockey should not be considered “wimpy and boring” just because there is no huge physical contact. Because of this rule, woman’s hockey has evolved into more of a skill game compared to men's hockey, and we do not have to rely on how well we can hit to be a good hockey player.

Q: What made you choose to attend your current school?
A: I originally looked at Mercyhurst after hearing about the new hockey program, which made me ecstatic to be able to continue my hockey career. But I ultimately chose Mercyhurst because it is a small, private school that offers a lot of reputable major programs.

Q: What is your major and what do you want to do with it after graduation?
A: I am currently undecided and trying to figure out the best plan for me.

Q: What person outside of your family has done the most for you?
A: I am not going to accurately answer this question because no one pops into my head other than my father, Jim Bautz. He has been my coach my entire life from 5 years old leading up to my college career. Without him, I would not be the hockey player I am today. He showed me no special treatment and pushed me to the best of my abilities. I don’t know anyone who has better hockey knowledge and loves the game more than him. I am so thankful that he has shared his hockey sense and experiences with me so that I can continue to
grow as a player and pass it on to others. Now at Mercyhurst, he is my number one supporter in the stands, and still manages to insert his coaching mindset to my play.

Q: Would you rather be Superman or Batman, and why?
A: Batman. Wearing a mask is better than being cocky. He does not get all the attention for the good things he does. I can kind of relate to this because I tend to receive more assists in my hockey style, so I may not receive all of the glory light because of a goal, but I still contributed to that outcome.

Q: What are your two favorite apps on your smartphone, and why?
A: Apple Music and Twitter. I use apple music daily, whether it be walking to class, just relaxing, or getting ready for hockey. Each of those activities requires a different style of music that is available through the Apple Music app. Twitter is an app where I can see what all of my friends are doing and thinking. I like Twitter because there are a lot of different accounts you can follow other than your friends, like actors, musicians, and sports teams. I follow a few NHL teams and look forward to seeing their tweets of the most recent highlight videos or the schedule for future games.