Two sisters to play for different nations
daughters in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in February.
“It would be fun to play her in the Olympics,” Marissa said. “Not awkward at all.”
The awkward part of the story actually came years ago, when kindergarten-age Marissa and Hannah were signed up for Korean culture camp.
“Ia bsolutely did not like going,” Marissa said, “but Hannah loved it, so we kept going back. It was funny, actually. She loved the Korean food and the taekwondo, and I didn’t like anything about it.”
Hannah was old enough to know Marissa was adopted from South Korea. The Brand ts were two weeks away from completing Marissa’s adoption in 1993 when they were surprised to learn Robin was pregnant with Hannah. They brought 4½-month-old Marissa home in May, and Hannah was born in November. Suddenly, there were two babies in their home in Vadnais Heights, a woodsy suburb about 10 miles north of St. Paul.
The girls did just about everything together: dance, gymnastics, soccer, and like typical Minnesota kids, they quickly took to the ice.
“We were best friends,” Hannah said.
Figure skating was first, but Hannah found hockey more exciting, so Marissa soon followed the puck.
“Even though she’s younger than me,” Marissa said, “I look up to her in so many ways.”
They were almost always on the same team, even helping lead Hill-Murray High School in 2011 to its first girls state tournament appearance. Marissa, a smoothskating defender, went on to Gustavus Adolphus, an NCAA Division III school in St. Peter, Minn. One grade behind her sister, Hannah, a heavily recruited forward, stayed closed to home with the powerhouse University of Minnesota program.
“She’s worked so hard to get where she is now,” Marissa said. “I don’t know anyone else more deserving. I’m so excited to be able to share this Olympic experience and journey with her.”
The feeling is mutual, of course.
South Korea’s goalie coach, Rebecca Baker, has strong ties to Minnesota and was the one who learned of Marissa’s heritage, which made her a candidate for the roster. There are four other “imports” on the team, two each from the U.S. and Canada. Chemistry on and off the ice has transcended the cultural and language barriers.
“They’re like my new family,” Marissa said.
Sarah Murray is the head coach of the team; her father, Andy Murray, was an NHL head coach for 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Kings and the St. Louis Blues. She and her assistants have tirelessly helped guide their eager but raw group through a three-year development process that began for some players with a basic understanding of how to properly jump over the boards. There are only 319 registered women’s players among South Korea’s 50 million people, according to the International Ice Hockey Federation’s 2017 survey.
“Our North American raised players have been doing a great job integrating themselves into our team,” Murray said. “We try to do as many team-building activities as our budget will allow. But I think the biggest thing that has helped them integrate is living with the Korean players.”
The South Koreans came to Minnesota for training camp and exhibition games, and the visit included a team dinner at the Brandt home preceded by a mayoral declaration and fire truck escort. It concluded with a dance party in the basement.
“Marissa has been a wonderful addition to our team,” Murray said. “She is a great player and an even better person.”
Marissa will wear the “A’’ on her jersey as an alternate captain. She’ll also carry the name Yoon Jung Park, given to her at birth. The powerhouse Americans and the South Koreans are in opposite pools, so the sister matchup will be a long shot.
“If it did I think Greg would probably root for Korea because they’re such an underdog,” Robin said. “I’d just cheer for both girls and hope they do well.”