My Journey
Perfectly Imperfect
Youth
I started playing hockey at the age of 5 for the Westfield Wings. There weren't any options for girls around my hometown so I had to play with the boys.
Always Driven
With 2 other brothers playing hockey, I was able to take in a lot around me. I became a sponge for the game in every aspect. I would have my favorite players (besides them) on their teams that I would watch and learn from throughout their playing careers.
Competitive
From a young age, I loved winning. My parents did a phenomenal job at teaching my siblings and I about work ethic, character, and never giving up. I thought hockey was such a beautiful sport and I was always eager to learn.
Adversity
Playing boys hockey was where I had my first sense of adversity in life. A lot of players and parents felt like I did not belong because of my gender. I would have to get dressed in the bathroom during games and practices and hear whispers from everyone that witnessed it. I felt alone and sad until I stepped on the ice. Hockey was my escape and I tried to let my play do the talking.
Journey Continued
Berkshire School
I spent 4 years at a boarding school in Sheffield, Ma. It was the best decision I ever made. The experience helped my hockey development but it more importantly prepared me for life.
University of New Hampshire
UNH was a wonderful experience. Our team made it to 2 frozen fours and won 4 hockey east championships in a row. I learned a lot about defensive positioning and more technical and tactical lessons. UNH prepared me for the next level of representing my country.
First Ever USA Camp
My first ever USA camp was a tryout for the U-22 team held in Lake Placid, NY. I was cut from the team. I contacted the coach and asked what I needed to do to improve. She gave me this list.
1. Complacent
2. Plays with unawareness
3. Goes through the motions
4. Affected by others
5. Work on release
I put these words on post-its everywhere and made it my focus to improve on each one.
I was never cut again.
Vancouver 2010
Vancouver was my favorite Olympics. It was my first one, I was eyes wide open, and took in every moment. Opening ceremonies is what I remember most because it was a very special moment. I saw my mom and dad up in the rafters waving the flag and crying; it was a very surreal moment for me. We lost to Canada in the gold medal game, which triggered a motivation for the future.
Sochi 2014
Sochi was a very tough Olympic experience. We decided, as a team to not attend opening ceremonies because we had a game the next day. We were extremely focused and I think a little too tense. We hardly got to enjoy other sports or take in the experience. We went there with one mission and that was to win. We lost again to Canada, in the gold medal game. It was the most heartbreaking loss of my life. But that loss sparked real change in our program.
PyeongChang 2018
Euphoria is the only word I have to explain the feeling of winning a gold medal at the Olympics! After our first silver medal in 2010, The work our team and staff put in for the next 4 years, to only come up short again in 2014 was devastating. But we regrouped again as individuals and as a team, and dove deeper into every little detail every single day from 2014-2018. That was the reason we won. We did everything we could to prepare ourselves for the opportunity of a lifetime.
