Across the storied history of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, countless student-athletes have left their mark on the ice and have continued to excel in their post-collegiate careers. In this special Alumni Spotlight series, the WCHA will highlight former players around the league who have made an impact and gone above and beyond in their respective professional careers.
In the sixth installment of this series, the WCHA is highlighting former Minnesota Duluth Bulldog forward Emma Yanko. The 2019 University of Minnesota Duluth graduate is now a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Resident Doctor at the University of Calgary.
During her time at Minnesota Duluth, Yanko skated in over 130 games for the Bulldogs. Yanko was named the UMD Breakthrough Player of the Year after her Junior season, after netting four goals, including two game-winners. Yanko was named a WCHA Scholar Athlete in both 2018 and 2019, as well as earned a spot on the WCHA All-Academic Team on three occasions.
How did playing college and or professional hockey prepare you for your current career?
Playing college hockey prepared me for medical school and residency in several ways and has made me who I am today. It taught me time management, persistence, the ability to work as part of a team, and maintain focus in high-stakes situations. All of these have been directly translated into how I approach patient care and surgical training.
What was your favorite memory from playing in the WCHA?
Honestly, all of it. The practices, road trips, the big wins, and tough losses — but especially the everyday moments with my teammates. Living together, going to university together — those are some of the best memories.
What advice would you give to your college self and current WCHA Players?
Soak it all in. The games, the grind, the friendships — they’ll be some of the most meaningful moments of your life. The memories you’re making and the friendships you’re building will last a lifetime.
What advice would you give your college self??
Don’t worry so much about what’s next and focus on being present. At the time, I was so focused on getting into medical school that I didn’t fully appreciate how much hockey was shaping me for it. Looking back, the grind of balancing it all wasn’t just a challenge — it was training for what came next.
What was the most rewarding part about playing in the WCHA?
Playing with and against some of the best female hockey players in the world made every practice and game a challenge — and that’s what made it so rewarding.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were playing?
I wish I had realized how quickly those four years would pass. Playing college hockey is an experience like no other — it’s something you don’t fully appreciate until it’s behind you.
WCHA Alumni Spotlight Features
Gabby Billing, St. Thomas
Baylee Stevenson (Gillanders), Minnesota
Sadie Lundquist, Bemidji State
Sheri Hudspeth (Maisonneuve), Minnesota State
Rachel Herzog, St. Cloud State
For more information on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, follow the league on X and Instagram @WCHA_WHockey, and online at wcha.com.