Claire Butorac - Stick on Ice, Heart in Faith
- Author
- The Gospel In The Game
- Published
- Fri 29 Aug 2025
- Episode Link
- None
What does it mean to find your purpose right in your own backyard? For professional hockey player Claire Butorac, the answer lies in Minnesota's frozen rinks and the faith journey that guides her career both on and off the ice.
Growing up in Minnesota's unique community-based hockey model gave Claire the rare opportunity to represent her hometown from youth leagues through high school graduation. Now as a professional player for Minnesota in the PWHL, she's living a full-circle moment – competing at the highest level while simultaneously coaching at her alma mater, Andover High School. This dual role reveals something profound about Claire's character: while hockey is her profession, mentoring young players might be her true calling.
Claire candidly shares the challenges of professional women's hockey, including walking into training camp without a contract, simply hoping to earn a roster spot. During these uncertain moments, her faith becomes her anchor. "I pray a lot, I journal a lot," she explains, describing how writing helps process the anxiety that comes with her competitive nature. This spiritual foundation, instilled by her mother from childhood, surfaces in surprising ways – like writing "Fear is a liar" on her hockey stick as a powerful reminder during games.
The highlight of Claire's professional career came when she scored an overtime playoff winner in front of her hometown crowd. Yet even when describing this triumphant moment, she emphasizes the relationships that made it meaningful – teammates celebrating in the locker room and family members with tears of joy in the stands. This perspective exemplifies how Claire views hockey not as a platform for personal glory, but as a vehicle for connection, mentorship and purpose.
As women's professional hockey continues growing, athletes like Claire Buderak offer a refreshing template for what success can look like when paired with faith and community investment. Have you considered how your talents might serve purposes greater than personal achievement? Claire's journey reminds us that sometimes our greatest impact happens close to home.
