Olympian chooses Minnesota for best-in-nation academics and athletics

Q&A with Josefin Bouveng 

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (06/12/2026) - Mechanical engineering major and Swedish Olympian Josefin Bouveng grew up watching her father and younger brother play ice hockey. One day, she decided to try it — and years later, the University of Minnesota hockey team came calling.

This spring, Bouveng — Gopher forward, jersey 11 — graduated from the College of Science and Engineering (CSE), along with more than 1,000 undergraduate students. 

“My time in CSE has exceeded all my expectations,” she said. “Faculty and professors have been so supportive since the start, which have made it possible for me to be successful both in the classroom and on the ice. I am so grateful for all their help!”

Bouveng, who earned Academic All-Big Ten honors on June 10, skated for Team Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy. She’s a familiar face in international play for her home country — competing in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and winning gold with the Swedish national under-18 team at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics. 

We finally caught up with Bouveng, following her super busy winter and fall — in which she was also focused on the analytical methods of kinematics, dynamics, and kineto-elastodynamics in Professor Art Erdman's "ME 5243: Advanced Mechanism Design" class.

How or why did you choose your major? 
I have always loved math so that was a big part of my decision. I also did the science program in high school, so I thought mechanical engineering would be a great fit for me.

Why the University of Minnesota?
I played on the Gopher women’s hockey team, and it is truly one of the best programs in the nation. The University of Minnesota made it possible for me to reach both my academic and athletic goals.  

What are your plans after graduation?
I have declared for the Professional Women’s Hockey League draft, so I am hoping to continue to play professional hockey next year.

Any advice for current or future students?
I would say make sure to follow your own goals and passion when choosing a major!

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Story by Pauline Oo